The British Empire in India:

Setting the Stage

Miss Isherwood
Social Studies 20-1/20-1

Specific Learning
Outcome:
Analyze impacts of the
pursuit of national selfdetermination . . .

Adapted from: www.loudoun.k12.va.us/cms/.../British%20Empire%20in%20India.ppt

Review

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/imperialism-100130184103-phpapp02/95/american-imperialism-3-728.jpg?cb=1264876916

Just like we used the acronym MAINS to learn

about the causes of World War I, we can use the
acronym INDIA to learn about the evolution of
British Imperialism in India.

I- Indian imperialism began with

The British East India Companyset up trading posts in India to
control trade between India and
Britain.

N No total British control of India,

-

yet
Indias ruling Mughal Empire kept
European traders under control.

D Decline of the Mughal Empire

-

Beginning in 1707 allowed for the

British East India Company to begin
controlling Indias political and
economic life.

I India = Britains Jewel in the Crown

-

Industrial Revolution has turned Great Britain

into an industrial giant and India provides
raw materials for production
Jewel in the Crown the most valuable
of Britains colonies
British setup restrictions that prevented
Indian economy from operating on its ownforced to sell raw materials to Britain only
and purchase only British goods growing
resentment among many Indians

The East India Company even had its own

army, led by British officers
and staffed by sepoys, or Indian soldiers.

By the 1830s, the East India Company

(regulated by British Government) ruled
India.
Many Indians resented British rule.

A Angry Indians = total British control

-

In 1857, a large number of British-trained

Indian soldiers(sepoys) rebelled against their British
officers
Sepoys believed that their bullet cartridges
were sealed with pork and beef fat.
Muslims who dont eat pork and Hindus who believe
the cow to be sacred- had to break cartridges w. their
teeth. They believed they were being forced to violate
their religion

Sepoy Rebellion

The Sepoy
Rebellion was put
down and India
became a British
possession
British rule in
India from 17571947
became known as
Raj

British
Imperialism in
India
Positive RED

Negative
BLUE

The British provided a single system of

law and government, unifying India. They
also introduced English as a unifying
language.

The British built roads, bridges, and

railroads in India. They set up
telegraph wires. However, Indias
cottage industries, in which goods
were made in homes, were hurt by
competition with British goods.
Under the British Salt Act, Indians were also not
able to buy or sell salt themselves, even though it
was a vital part of their diet.
Instead, they were
Forced to buy it from the British, who taxed it
heavily.

The British built hospitals, introduced

new medicines, and provided famine
relief. At the same time, health care
improvements led to a population
explosion without an increase in
economic opportunities.

Indians were also looked down

upon by the British and their culture
was treated as inferior to European
culture. Indian workers provided the
British with inexpensive labor.

Indians worked for long hours under

terrible working conditions. The British
gained wealth while Indians were
exploited.

Eventually the people

of India would
become frustrated
with their lack of
freedom to govern
themselves . . .