Aim: How did the British Imperialize India?

Do Now:1. How does this quote relate to imperialism ?

Quote of the Week:
I know, up on top
you are seeing great sights,
But down on the bottom
we, too, should have rights.
-Yerlte the Turtle and other stories.

2. Why do you think the Suez Canal made India even more attractive to England?

Mini Lesson: Imperialism-seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country.

As the Mughal Empire declined, Britain seizes Indian territory and soon it controls almost the whole subcontinent.
East India Company Dominates
•British East India Company rules India until 1850s
•Company has its own army led by British officers
•Army is staffed by sepoys—Indian soldiers

Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown”
•India is Britain’s most valuable colony, or “jewel in
the crown”
•Forced to produce raw materials for British
manufacturing
•Also forced to buy British goods

British Transport Trade Goods
•Railroads move cash crops and goods faster
•Trade in specific crops is tied to international events

Impact of Colonialism
•British hold much of political and economic power
•Cash crops result in loss of self-sufficiency, famine
•Indian life disrupted by missionaries and racist
attitudes
•British modernize India’s economy, improve public
health

Indians Rebel
•Sepoys refuse to use cartridges of new rifles for
religious reasons
•Many Sepoys are jailed; others start Sepoy Mutiny against British
•Many Indians, especially Sikhs, remain loyal to
British

Turning Point
•British put down rebellion, take direct command of
India
•Raj—term for British rule over India, lasts from 1757
to 1947
•Uprising increases distrust between British and Indians

Call for Reforms
•In 1800s, Ram Mohun Roy leads modernization
movement
•Many Indians adopt western ways and call for
social reforms
•Indians resent being second-class citizens in own
country

Nationalist Groups Form
•Indian National Congress and Muslim League form
•Nationalists angered by partition of Bengal pressure forces Britain to divide it differently