BRITISH EMPIRE AND INDIA

British Empire

the global empire controlled by Britain through colonization and trade

Colonialism

the practice of controlling and exploiting foreign territories

Imperialism

a policy of extending power over other countries

India

the most important colony in the British Empire

Colony

a territory governed by another country

Colonization

the process of establishing control over another land

East India Company

the British company that helped Britain gain power in India

Raj

the period of direct British rule in India from 1858–1947

Racism

beliefs about racial superiority used to justify empire

Racial hierarchy

the idea that some races were superior to others

Civilization

a concept Europeans used to claim they were “improving” colonies

White Man’s Burden

the belief that Europeans had a duty to “civilize” other peoples

Exploitation

using colonies for economic benefit and resources

Trade

exchange of goods that strengthened the British economy

Industrial Revolution

Britain’s industrial growth that increased the need for colonies

Raw materials

natural resources taken from colonies

Nationalism

pride in one’s nation and desire for independence

Independence

freedom from colonial rule

Resistance

opposition against British control

Rebellion

organized uprising against colonial powers

Sepoy Mutiny

the 1857 Indian rebellion against British rule

Divide and rule

a strategy of keeping groups separated to maintain control

Missionaries

people spreading Christianity in colonies

Propaganda

information used to support imperial ideas

Discrimination

unfair treatment based on race or background

Oppression

cruel or unjust treatment by those in power

Economic motives

financial reasons for building an empire

Ideology

a system of beliefs supporting imperialism

National identity

a shared sense of belonging to a nation

Decolonization

the process of ending colonial rule

Partition

the division of India and Pakistan in 1947

Gandhi

Indian leader known for nonviolent resistance

Nonviolent protest

peaceful resistance against oppression

Cultural impact

the influence of colonialism on traditions and society

Legacy

the long-term effects of colonialism today

Perspective

a particular way of viewing history

Historical interpretation

understanding history from different viewpoints

Postcolonialism

the study of the effects of colonialism after independence

Inequality

unfair differences in wealth

Sovereignty

a nation’s right to govern itself

Empire

a group of territories controlled by one ruling power

Globalization

increasing international connections partly shaped by empires