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Imperialism and Colonial India

Imperialism and Colonial India. Definition. One country’s domination of the political, economic, and social life of another country. Why?. Political rivalries European countries needed colonies to compete with other Europeans. Desire for New Markets

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Imperialism and Colonial India

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  1. Imperialism and Colonial India

  2. Definition • One country’s domination of the political, economic, and social life of another country.

  3. Why? • Political rivalries • European countries needed colonies to compete with other Europeans. • Desire for New Markets • New territory to get raw materials and sell finished goods. • Seeking New Opportunities • Native Europeans could advance socially by taking an assignment in a colony • “Civilizing Mission” • Some Europeans thought it was their duty to impose their culture on other, less “civilized” peoples.

  4. Forms of Imperialism • Colony: territory that an imperial power ruled directly • Protectorate: territory that had its own government, but its policies were guided by a foreign power. • Sphere of Influence: a region in which the imperial power had exclusive investment or trading rights.

  5. British Involvement in India • British have been in India since the 1500s • 1600: British traders formed the East India Company • Began to create trading posts along India’s coast in strategic positions

  6. The Sepoy Rebellion • By 1857, the East India Co. controlled most of India • 1857: The sepoys(Indian soldiers) rebelled against their British commanders • The Indians resented Christianity and European customs

  7. http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/21.html#great_rebellionhttp://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/21.html#great_rebellion

  8. Results of the Sepoy Rebellion • Rebellion spread across northern and central India • In some places, British men, women, and children were massacred • Lasted just under 1 year • British killed 1000s of unarmed civilians in revenge of the massacres • Forced British to tighten control on India • Viceroy System Imposed: A viceroy ruled India as the monarch’s representative

  9. Positive Effects of British Rule • Paved roads and extensive railway system • Installed telegraph lines • Dug irrigation canals • Established schools and universities

  10. Negative Effects of British Rule • British discriminated against Indians • Forced Indians to change from their ancient ways • Example: Farmers forced to grow cotton instead of wheat. Massive food shortages killed millions of Indians during the 1800s.

  11. Reactions to British Rule • 1885: Indian National Congress (INC) formed • Accepted ideas of democracy and equality • Initially used peaceful protests to gain more power for the Indians. • Leader in Indian struggle for independence. • The INC was divided by religion • The Hindus (majority) and Muslims (minority) did not trust each other.

  12. The Amritsar Massacre • 1919: Britain imposed laws designed to curb the independence movement • Nationalists could be arrested and jailed without trial • Outlawed large gatherings • 10,000 unarmed Indians gathered for a political meeting • British troops blocked the only entrance and began firing upon the crowd. • 400 people were killed, 1200 wounded. • The Amritsar Massacre spurred even more Indian people to join the fight for independence.

  13. Gandhi • Gandhi worked with the INC and led nonviolent protests against British rule. • Rejected Western culture because of the following: • Use of brute force • Worship of money • Prejudicial attitudes toward non-Western peoples • Satyagraha: a term which means “truth force” and describes the nonviolent protests

  14. The Salt March • The British controlled (and taxed) all salt in India • 1930: Gandhi led thousands on a march to the sea • They made salt out of sea water • Eventually, Gandhi was arrested like many of his followers already had been.

  15. Limited Self-Rule • 1935: Government of India Act • Created a constitution for India that gave provincial legislatures control over areas such as agriculture, education, public health, and public works. • The INC (at the urging of Gandhi) accepted the act even though it didn’t offer complete independence.

  16. Hindu-Muslim Relations • Hindus outnumbered Muslims 3 to 1 in India • 1937: The Muslim League, led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, split with the Congress Party • The Muslim League demanded a separate Muslim nation. • Hindus, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, wanted a united India at first • Nehru eventually recognized the benefits of partition and supported that plan. • The independence movement was permanently fractured.

  17. Division of the Subcontinent • Before vacating India, the British drew borders to divide the subcontinent into separate Hindu and Muslim countries.

  18. Division of the Subcontinent • The division of the subcontinent led to one of the biggest movements of people ever. • About 12 million Hindus and Muslims crossed the borders in both directions. • This movement often led to violent outbursts. • Independence from Britain came in August, 1947

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