Notes #3 – British India to Indian Independence

The British expand their empire to include India. The British East India Company, known for tea, became interested in India because of its exotic trade goods. - By mid-1850’s, Britain controlled 3/5th of India

What were the British Imperialistic Motives in India? 1. Economic: India was a source of raw materials & served as a new market Britain helped to modernize India by: building roads, r.r.’s & telegraph lines. developing industry Pushing the growth of cash crops; such as cotton

What were the British Imperialistic Motives in India? 2. Political: British held top jobs in government (indirect rule) Forced Sepoy’s (Indian soldiers) to serve in British military 3. Religion & Ideological Spread Christianity Improved medical care & education British felt they were making improvements to Indian life

Native Indians resist British imperialism. Sepoy Rebellion – (1858) Sepoy’s rebel against British changes that violated their Hindu religion & massacre a British village Result: British Parliament takes direct rule and military control of India

Indians resist British imperialism 2. Indian National Congress: (1885) The goal of the Congress was to bring self-rule back to India. Members included: educated Indian professionals & businessmen. As a result of British education, Indians used ideas like democracy & equality against the British. Indians also wanted these values for themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-QoW3_jOZM

The Leader of the Indian Nationalism Movement was Mohandas Gandhi In the 1920’s, Gandhi led movements for Indian Independence by using Civil Disobedience. Civil Disobedience is the refusal to obey unjust laws. Gandhi embraced ideas of democracy and equality and pushed for Indian independence An example of civil disobedience was the salt march in March, 1930 Gandhi protested the British monopoly on salt Gandhi was arrested but it brought national attention to Gandhi’s fight for Indian Independence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XarpddX1BI

Indian Independence came in 1947. (After WWII!)

A Modern Connection: What is the connection between Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Describe what is similar about the two pictures. Why do you think using civil disobedience worked so well for Gandhi and later Martin Luther King Jr.? What, if any, are the similarities between these two leaders?