Age of Imperialism Part 3 The British in Asia

The British East India Company Conquers a Sub-Continent For Profit! The Company comes to dominate trade in India The Mughal Emperor has a problem pirates! The Company offers the protection of its navy In return The Company gets Tax Breaks and Land to build trading bases (Fortified Ports). Result: Soon most people in India use the Company to transport things because they can save on taxes

But the Mughal Empire is weak and the local princes, or Nawabs and Rajas, are angered by the loss of taxes. 1750s Robert Clive leads The Company to Victory over the French 1756 The Nawab of Bengal seizes the British base Calcutta 1757 Clive defeats the Nawab and his French allies at Plassey 1765 The Company gains control of Bengal

The Company Runs India The British East India Company gradually gets control of India The Company avoids gaining territory it has to directly control, they don’t want to rule…they want Profits! They interfere with local rulers only enough to ensure peace and their tax-free status. India becomes a patchwork of Colonies, Protectorates and Spheres of Influence.

The Sepoy Rebellion The British used native troops called Sepoys to rule India Indians resent British efforts to impose Christianity and British Customs 1857 Rumors that Bullet Cartridges are greased with Beef or Pork fat spark a Mutiny by the Sepoys against British authority. The Company puts down the rebellion

British try to buy Indian Loyalty 1858 Parliament votes for the Queen’s Government to take over the rule of India..Company Rule ends. The British Government improves conditions by building railways, industry, irrigation telegraphs etc. But continue to discriminate against Indians For Example they are forced to grow cotton instead of wheat causing famine

The Domination of China 1842 The British win the First Opium War The “Treaty of Nanking” gives Britain Some territories (like Hong Kong) and grants it a Sphere of Influence France, Russia Germany and even Japan gain similar spheres of Influence The Taiping Rebellion ( ) Further weaken China

Chinese Reaction The Chinese make several efforts to “strengthen” their country in the 1800s including the “Hundred Days Of Reform” All Fail Chinese lose a war with Japan 1900 The “Boxer Rebellion” fails leaving the young Emperor’s Mother Ci Xi weak Sun Yat-Sen leads a successful democratic revolution against her and her son.