The Age of Imperialism

Objectives Students will… Explain the transfer of 1858 government of Great Britain on the Indian Subcontinent following the Sepoy Rebellion. (W.20)

Warm-Up Colonize the Universe Read the short story and answer the questions

Recall… What are the four motivations for imperialism?

The World in 1700 European countries had begun building huge empires in the Americas, but they had not gained large territories in Africa and Asia They had established trading ports, but Europeans knew that they could make more money if they had total control of the region

Forces Enabling Imperialism Advantages of the Europeans Better weapons (Maxim gun) Railroads and steamships Cure for malaria, cholera Internal factors that allowed Europeans to easily take control Variety of cultures and languages Low level of technology Ethnic conflict

The Importance of Technology Steamships and steam-powered gunboats allowed European militaries to attack inland targets from the coast New weapons (repeating rifles, machine guns, and exploding shells) gave European armies a huge advantage over Asian and African militaries African and Asian empires were weakening and becoming unstable When the Europeans began their attack, they faced little resistance from the natives The use of quinine to treat malaria allowed whites to explore the African inland for the first time

The Beginnings of Imperialism There are 3 forms of imperialism Colony – a territory governed by a foreign power Protectorate – a territory with its own government but is controlled by a foreign power Sphere of influence – a territory in which a country claims exclusive political and economic rights Extraterritoriality – a policy that allows foreigners who commit crimes to be tried in their own courts, not native ones

Colonial Control Indirect Control Direct Control Local gov’t officials used Goal: Train local leaders to govern Direct Control Foreign officials brought in to rule Goal: Assimilation

Impact of Colonial Rule Positive Reduced local warfare Improved sanitation Brought hospitals and schools Negative Lost land and independence New diseases introduced Identity problems and political divisions

IS IT OK TO FIGHT BACK? IS THAT CONSIDERED TERRORISM?

The British East India Company Was created to control trade between Great Britain, India, and East Asia Was only involved in coastal trading cities until the Indian government began to weaken Got involved with Indian politics because of trade; ended up ruling most of India in the name of England Took control by manipulating new local rulers and playing them against each other Convinced the rulers that they needed the company’s military support to keep stable The company’s army then swept in and gained authority

British Control of India Created a new education system that taught English Introduced new laws that banned some Indian traditions Spread Christianity by sending missionaries around the continent Some Indians felt the British were trying to destroy their culture Relationships between British and Indians became strained

The Sepoy Mutiny Sepoys – Indian soldiers who fought in the British army Sepoys became upset when the army began using a new rifle The rifle required soldiers to bite off the end of ammo cartridges to load; the ends were covered in cow and pig fat Sepoys refused to bite the cartridge because it violated a religious rule (no eating beef or pork products) The Sepoys were punished, which started a large, gruesome rebellion – the East India company put it down brutally Because of the brutality, the English gov’t took away the company’s power in India and decided to rule the country directly

India Becomes a British Colony This period is called the Raj (“rule”) British people had most government positions, making the Indians unhappy The new government began to westernize India Built railroads, schools, hospitals Began exporting raw resources back to England Many of the British officials felt superior to the Indians and treated them as second-class citizens

Grab a Whiteboard, marker and eraser

Check on Learning What happened in India after the Sepoy Mutiny? The British East India Company continued to control India. The East India Company and Jack Sparrow took over. The British took over and officially colonized India. India became independent. Write an ID for the Sepoy Rebellion