1. Political Revolutions: The Great Rebellion
Unit 3: Revolution

2. Revolution vs Rebellion
When talking about political revolutions:
A group of people revolting against their government and succeeding is called a revolution
A group of people revolting against their government and failing is called a rebellion

3. The Great Rebellion (1857)
~1670 CE: British East India Company (BEIC) given ability to be involved in political and military affairs in India
BEIC had own army
Also hired Indian soldiers called sepoys to protect interests
India still controlled own governments, but were influenced or intimidated by British
Aristocracy replaced with British officials
Attempted to Westernize Indian people
Indians forced to buy expensive British goods; most in poverty

4. 1698 coat of arms of east india company

5. Sepoys

6. The Great Rebellion (1857) Growing distrust of British by 1840s
Visible unrest displayed in some sepoy regiments; bloodshed seemed possible
Rumors that rifles were greased with cow and pig fat was the spark that began the rebellion
Offensive to both Hindus and Muslims
Soldiers who refused were publicly humiliated
Indian soldiers led huge massacre in Meerut (50 killed)
Led to complete rebellion of other Indians in all areas that Britain occupied

7. British territory in 1765 (left) and 1805 (right)

8. British territory in India 1837 (left) and 1857 (right)

9. Cartridges are torn open using your teeth
Cartridges are torn open using your teeth. If the cartridges are greased with cow and pig fat, then the soldiers are effectively consuming cow and pig.

10. Why Did They Fail? Almost no support from Indian rulers
Not all sepoys joined the revolt
Armies were larger, but disorganized
Limited supplies
Weaker weaponry
Rivalry between Hindus and Muslims
No planned alternative to British rule

11. Notice the Sikhs in the background; some Sikhs fought with the sepoys, most fought with the British; both sides fought because they believed the other to be more likely to persecute them

12. The Aftermath Britain directly rules over India
Indians increasingly anti-British
Sparked feelings of nationalism
Increased British rule leads to both positives and negatives
Built roads, canals, and hospitals
Order and stability in a badly divided country
Mass poverty amongst most Indians
Persecution and segregation of Indians from Europeans

13. British India

14. Exit Ticket With ONE partner, on ONE half sheet, answer the following:
Define revolution using its most basic definition.
Define revolution in the context of political revolutions.
How are rebellions and revolutions different?
Why was the British East India Company given free reign to do as they pleased in India? Explain your answer.