The British Empire Chapter 25 (pp. 720 – 734)

introduction During the 18th and 19th centuries, the British built an empire that would grow to eventually encompass 1/3 of the world’s landmass At the same time, Spanish and Portuguese power declined British sought raw materials and consumer markets for finished goods Included territories in: South Asia (India) Southeast Asia Oceania (New Zealand & Australia) Africa

India Under British Rule In the late 1600s, Mughal power in India began a rapid decline Hindu subjects challenged the Mughals Formed the Maratha Confederation Fought a 27 year war to end Muslim rule in India

India Under British Rule During the Maratha Empire, the British established a large trade presence British East India Company Sepoys: Indian soldiers hired to protect British trade British took over major cities of Calcutta, Madras & Bombay

India Under British Rule In 1857, for a variety of social and religious reasons, the sepoys rebelled against British forces Indian Revolt of 1857 Led to dissolution of East India Company India was now directly governed by the British Crown British Raj (1858 – 1947)

The British Raj 1858, Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India Strengthened control over colonly “Westernization, Anglicization, and modernization” Proclaimed equality under law and “technically” allowed some forms of self government Former Mughal princes pledged loyalty for autonomy Indian Civil Service

The British Raj Prior to British rule India had an economically productive and agriculturally based economy Leading exporter of cotton textiles British introduction of cheap factory-produced textiles led to decline of India’s economy

The British Raj British rapidly built up India’s infrastructure to more productivly farm natural resources Railroads Canals Telegraph lines

Britain’s Eastern Empire (Africa, Asia and the Pacific)

Colonies and Commerce 1795, Dutch ceded control of Cape Colony (South Africa) to British British established a large settler colony Profited from port trade British citizens displaced previous Dutch settlers Resulted in the Great Trek

Colonies and Commerce British seized control of numerous territories in Asia Malacca (again form the Dutch) Singapore Burma (Myanmar)

Imperial Policies and Shipping British sought trade rather than territory New colonies meant to serve as ports New clipper ships increased speed and cargo capacity of oceanic trade

Australia and New Zealand 1769 - 1778, British Captain James Cook explored New Zealand & eastern coast of Australia Native communities succumbed to disease Ex. Maoryi

Colonization of Australia and New Zealand At first, British used Australia as a penal colony As more settlers arrived, British allowed self-government to avoid independence movements Also, made colonists responsible for their own expenses British also settled New Zealand for seal hunting and whaling