Writing Assistance Armed Conflict— The Sepoy Mutiny

Using the Spartan Writing Protocol (SWP)

Step 1: Read the task/question carefully.

Step 2: Circle key words and underline key concepts.

Theme: Armed Conflict Throughout history, armed conflicts have begun for various reasons. These conflicts have affected many countries and groups of people.

Task: Select two armed conflicts and for each: Describe the historical circumstances leading to this armed conflict Describe the historical circumstances leading to this armed conflict Discuss the ways in which this armed conflict affected a specific group of people, a country, and/or a region Discuss the ways in which this armed conflict affected a specific group of people, a country, and/or a region

Describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it.”

Discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail.”

Step 3: Read the passage carefully

Step 4: Take notes that respond to the task/question

Step 5: Complete the Evidence and Analysis boxes on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT)

Conflict Sepoy Mutiny in India British East India Company vs. Rebelling Indian troops called sepoys

Historical Circumstances (1/6) Since the 1600’s, the British East India Company dominated trade in India, using a private army to protect its business interests.

Historical Circumstances (2/6) In addition to British troops, the Company hired Indian nationals to serve in this hired force. Some were Indian Hindus, some were Muslims and others were Sikhs and these troops were called sepoys.

Historical Circumstances (3/6) The Company and the British commanders were insensitive to the cultures of their Indian troops and offended them routinely, which built tension over a long period of time.

Historical Circumstances (4/6) The immediate cause of the rebellion was the introduction of new technology that required the troops to bite the cartridges greased with animal fat to load their muskets.

Historical Circumstances (5/6) The sepoys objected, concerned that the grease used in these cartridges was derived from animal fat their religions forbade (Hindus—beef; Muslims—pork).

Historical Circumstances (6/6) Some sepoys began refusing to follow orders and rebellion erupted. Rebels targeted British nationals, committing atrocities to try convince British forces to abandon India.

SPECIFIC impact (1/6) India was severely affected by the revolt.India was severely affected by the revolt.

SPECIFIC impact (2/6) Reports of the bloody fighting between the rebels and troops remaining loyal to the British East India company convinced the British government to intervene.Reports of the bloody fighting between the rebels and troops remaining loyal to the British East India company convinced the British government to intervene.

SPECIFIC impact (3/6) British forces were sent to crush the rebellion.British forces were sent to crush the rebellion.

SPECIFIC impact (4/6) The British government decided that it needed to take direct control over India to protect the British East India Company’s business interests.The British government decided that it needed to take direct control over India to protect the British East India Company’s business interests.

SPECIFIC impact (5/6) During the era of British control, mistreatment of India continued as the government granted British companies monopolies that damaged the Indian economy, making almost of the country poor and dependent.During the era of British control, mistreatment of India continued as the government granted British companies monopolies that damaged the Indian economy, making almost of the country poor and dependent.

SPECIFIC impact (6/6) The British controlled India until 1947, when it granted the country independence.The British controlled India until 1947, when it granted the country independence.

Armed Conflict Conflict Historical circumstances Way it affected a specific group Sepoy Mutiny in India British East India Company vs. Rebelling Indian troops called sepoys Since the 1600’s, the British East India Company dominated trade in India, using a private army to protect its business interests. In addition to British troops, the Company hired Indian nationals to serve in this hired force. Some were Indian Hindus, some were Muslims and others were Sikhs and these troops were called sepoys. The Company and the British commanders were insensitive to the cultures of their Indian troops and offended them routinely, which built tension over a long period of time. The immediate cause of the rebellion was the introduction of new technology that required the troops to bite the cartridges greased with animal fat to load their muskets. The sepoys objected, concerned that the grease used in these cartridges was derived from animal fat their religions forbade (Hindus—beef; Muslims—pork). Some sepoys began refusing to follow orders and rebellion erupted. Rebels targeted British nationals, committing atrocities to try convince British forces to abandon India. India was severely affected by the revolt. Reports of the bloody fighting between the rebels and troops remaining loyal to the British East India company convinced the British government to intervene. British forces were sent to crush the rebellion. The British government decided that it needed to take direct control over India to protect the British East India Company’s business interests. During the era of British control, mistreatment of India continued as the government granted British companies monopolies that damaged the Indian economy, making almost of the country poor and dependent. The British controlled India until 1947, when it granted the country independence.

Using the Spartan Writing Protocol (SWP)

Step 6: Write your claim.

Throughout history, armed conflicts have begun for various reasons. These conflicts have affected many countries and groups of people. The Sepoy Mutiny in is an example of a conflict that had a major impact on India.

Step 7: Determine the relevancy of your evidence in supporting your claim.

Step 8: Complete a concluding sentence box on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT). The Sepoy Mutiny caused a long, terrible period of foreign domination in India.

Step 9: Write your response (using the Spartan Writing Template [SWT])

Step 10: Self-Assess your paragraph using the Spartan Writing Rubric