1. World History: Libertyville HS
Imperialism in India
World History: Libertyville HS

2. Native India Mughal Empire (1526-1857)
Empire founded by Mongols
Ruled most of northern and central India
Fell into decline in early 1700s
Southern Indians were getting stronger
European forces getting stronger

3. European Imperialism Background
British East India Company (EIC) exploited weakness of Mughals
Founded in 1598 by British merchants
Competed against Dutch, French trading companies in India
Became favorites of Mughals during 1600s
Eventually turned on Mughals, defeated them
Became leading European power in India after 1757

4. British East India Company
Officially, British government regulated the EIC
Actually, EIC ruled India after 1720
Gov’t needed money to fight wars
EIC loaned money to British government in exchange for free hand in India
EIC maintained a private army, staffed by former British officers and sepoys (native troops)

5. “Jewel in the Crown” Most valuable of Britain’s colonies
New market of 300 million for British goods
Ind. Rev created surplus of mfg’d goods in Britain
Laws restricted sale of Indian goods, forcing them to buy British

6. Indian Raw Materials & Cash Crops
Tea
Coffee
Cotton
Opium

7. Effects of Indian Colonialism
Positive effects
Major railroad network built, making India the world’s most connected country
Infrastructure built up, strengthening country (roads, canals, telephone lines, irrigation, dams)
British built schools & college, increasing (English) literacy
British cleared India of bandits, ending local tribal warfare

8. Effects of Indian Colonialism
Negative effects
British held all political & economic power and kept industrialization low
Emphasis on cash crops hurt native villages
Racism threatened traditional Indian way of life
Social division
Upper class Indians becoming “British”
Lower class Indians clung to their traditions

9. Sepoy Mutiny (1857)
Rumors spread that cartridges for guns of sepoy were sealed with pig or cow fat
Sepoy had to bite cartridge to break seal
Muslims don’t eat pork
Hindus considered cow sacred
Both religious groups were outraged and refused the cartridges
British handled it badly, imprisoning sepoy who refused cartridges

10. Sepoy Mutiny
Sepoy rebelled, slaughtering their white officers and other British citizens
Uprising spread throughout India
Brutal fighting occurred, as both sides tried to kill the other side completely
EIC needed British gov’t help
Indians failed to coordinate their attacks against the EIC, British
Result was that British Army crushed mutiny

11. The Raj (1857-1947) British cabinet minister put in charge of India
British governor carried out orders of Home Government
Increased racism
Led to birth of Indian Nationalism
Indians resented 2nd class status in own country
Denied good jobs
Paid less than whites
Nationalist groups formed, gained popularity

12. Mohandas Gandhi Lawyer and leader of Indian independence movement
Pioneered resistance to British domination
Mass civil disobedience
Total non-violence
Inspired civil rights movements around world
Assassinated by another Indian nationalist in 1948 b/c of his tolerance of Muslims