1. Imperializing India

2. Guiding Question: Did British policies over India have a more positive or negative effect?

4. Motivation behind Imperialism
British wanted the riches of India
Estb. British East India Company (1600)
Company set up a Sphere of Influence- controlled trade
Goal: Make money (raw materials & new markets)
What motive caused Britain to imperialize initially?
$ Economic Motive $

5. Why were the British able to take over India so easily?
India made up with a diverse population
1600 – Mughal Empire began to fall, further dividing India
Indians of different languages/ cultures couldn’t unite vs. British
GB took advantage of divisions
Mid 1800’s: GB controlled 3/5 of India

7. British Policies By early 1800’s: Introduced western education
Brought western legal procedures
Tried to convert Indians to Christianity

8. British Policies Cont’…
Social Changes:
Helping India modernize
End Slavery
End “Caste System”
Improve position of women in the family
Outlaw sati

9. British Policies Cont’…
Government:
British officials held the top positions in the govt. & military
Indians filled other jobs
India became crown jewel of British economy

10. Discontent of British Rule
Many natives unhappy with new policies:
Military required sepoys to serve anywhere in India or overseas
Passed law that Hindu widows could remarry
Ammunition for new guns greased with animal fat

11. Sepoys Rebellion (1857) GB issued new rifles to the sepoys
Sepoys refused to reload the rifles b/c of the grease from animal fat
Began being sent home w/o pay
Angry sepoys rose up vs. British officials

12. Sepoys Rebellion Cont’…
Rebellion swept across northern & central India
Brutal conflict
Sepoys massacred British men, women, & children
British squashed revolt & slaughtered thousands of unarmed Indians

14. Sepoy’s Rebellion Cont’…
Results:
Bitter feelings of hatred & fear on both sides
1858: Sphere of Influence  Colony
British Viceroy governed over India in name of King
Sent more troops to India
Increased taxes on Indians

15. Benefits of Colonial Rule
Improved transportation
Built roads & railroads
New communication
Telegraph, postal system
Medical improvements
Better health care (medicines, techniques)
Agricultural Improvements
Nomadic herders were encouraged to settle down
Increased food production
Education

16. Consequences of Colonial Rule
Famine: Agricultural changes  Population growth  strain on food supply
Farms converted to produce cash crops
Massive deforestation to create farms
Famous hand-weaving industry overpowered by GB’s machine made textiles

17. Indian View of British Culture
Some impressed by British power & technology  wanted to modernize
Others felt progress & change could be found through their own tradition (Muslim/ Hindu Culture)

18. British Views of Indian Culture
Some admired Indian culture & beliefs
Others knew little about the culture & preferred their western ways

19. Indian Nationalism Develops
Improvements in transportation & communication bridged regional differences
British education of democracy & equality influenced natives dreams of ending imperial rule
Nationalism emerged

20. Indian Nationalism Develops Cont’…
Indian National Congress (1885)
Members: mainly professionals & business leaders
Believed in peaceful protest to gain independence from British

21. Indian Nationalism Develops Cont’…
Muslims & Hindus worked together initially
Eventually the Muslims resented the Hindu domination of the Congress

22. Indian Nationalism Develops Cont’…
Result of tense feelings:
Muslim League (1906)
Muslims came together to pursue their own goals
Soon discussed idea of a separate Muslim state

23. Essential Question: Did British policies over India have a more positive or negative effect?
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