Honors Global History II Unit 5: The Age of Imperialism

Imperialism definition

A doctrine, political strategy, practice, state policy, or advocacy that consists in extending power by territorial acquisition or by extending political and economic control outward over other areas

Colonialism definition

It occurs when one nation subjugates another by sending people from the conquering nation to control the other’s population and exploit it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon the conquered people

How does domination usually occur?

By force of trade or force of arms

Industrialization definition

The process of transforming the economy of a nation or region from a focus on agriculture to a reliance on manufacturing

How did the advancement of water transportation aid imperialism?

The invention of steamships and gunboats aided military succession, which further expanded European countries. This was in forms of communication, trade, and warfare.

How did the advancement of railroads aid imperialism?

Railroads brought raw materials from conquered or colonies to cities and centers of imperialism. Also, they distributed goods to colonies.

How did the advancement of weapons aid imperialism?

The evolution of guns and firearms created more powerful tools for Europe to conquer Asian and African countries by having more advanced and dangerous equipment.

What were the advantages and disadvantages of the new firearms?

They were very powerful and efficient, yet they were not very accurate.

How did the advancement of communications devices aid imperialism?

Steamships reduced time to deliver messages from imperial capitals to colonial lands while telegraphs carried international messages quickly, benefiting nations with telegraphs to communicate between continents in about five hours so that they could exchange battle plans.

What were the economic motives of Imperialism?

1. Colonies could provide new raw materials to help fuel industrialization: rubber, tin, copper, and petroleum

2. Colonies could also be potential markets for manufactured goods

What were the political motives of Imperialism?

1. Geopolitically, colonies provided political and military benefits, such as control of sea lanes which provided harbors and supply stations

2. Colonies not only provided these benefits, but denied them to rivals

What were the cultural motives of Imperialism?

Christian missionary activities “provided a powerful justification for imperialism” and they also acted as liaisons with conquered peoples

What was the “White Man’s Burden”?

It was the belief of Europeans that they were bringing civilization to the rest of the world by imperialism.

What were the three motives of imperialism?

1. Economic

2. Political

3. Cultural

What parts of India did the British have control over?

Modern Bangladesh, most of Southern India, and north along the Ganges River

How did the British mainly control India?

The British East India Company (EIC)

What were sepoys?

Indian soldiers for the EIC

Did the British control the EIC’s efforts from London or India?

Both

What was Britain’s “Jewel in Crown” and why?

India, because of its raw materials.

What were some of the restrictions Britain set up to prevent India from operating its own economy?

1. India had to purchase British goods and provide them plenty of their raw materials in return.

2. Indian competition with British goods were prohibited

What mode of transportation made India even more valuable due to its quicker process of accessing raw materials?

Railroads

Where did most raw materials from India come from?

Plantations

What were some of the raw materials from Indian plantations?

Indigo, tea, coffee, and opium

Cons of Colonialism in India

1. British restricted Indian-owned industries, such as cotton textiles, which reduced self-sufficiency and food production while increasing famine

2. The British adopted a “hands-off”policy of Indian religions, which increased racism and missionary interference

3. The British introduced census in India and caste identities were formalized

Pros of colonization in India

1. Railroads enabled India to develop a more modern economy as well as brought unity to connected regions

2. Indians could modernize with telegraphs, modern road networks, etc

3. Sanitation and public health improved

4. More schools and colleges founded and literacy among Indian society increased

5. The end of warfare in central India and the effect of bandits due to British protection

Why did the Indians rebel in the Sepoy Mutiny/the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

1. Resentment formed by religiously offensive rumors about the British’s methods of war

2. Economic hardships

What was the result of the rumors against the British?

The Sepoys refused to accept cartridges and were jailed

What was the result of the British imprisoning resistant sepoys?

The Sepoy Mutiny

What were the accomplishments of the Sepoy Mutiny?

The remaining sepoys conquered Delhi and northern and central India

Why did the Sepoy Mutiny fall apart?

1. Weak leadership

2. The Muslim and Hindu did not like one another

3. The Sikhs, Hindu, and some Indian princes supported the British

What happened after the Sepoy Mutiny?

The British took direct command of India

What was Raj?

British rule after India came under British rule during the reign of Queen Victoria

How did the British rule control India after the Sepoy Mutiny?

Cabinet minister in London directed policy and a governor in India carried out the British government’s orders

How were those loyal to the British during the Sepoy Mutiny repaid afterwards?

Their treaties with the British were respected

Did Britain and India trust each other after the Sepoy Mutiny?

No

When did the British arrive in India?

The Mughal downfall

How did Mumbai relate to the British coming to India?

Mumbai was given as a wedding gift from a European leader to Charles V, who decided to find it

Who was Francis Day?

He was sent by the EIC to India, found Chennai, and convinced the British to build empire there.

What was the Indian trading city of the British?

Kalikata/Calcutta

Who were the potential heirs of Nawab Alivardi Khan and who supported them?

Siraj ud-Daulah, who was supported by the French, and Shujauddin Muhammad Khan, who was supported by the British

Who became the new nawab after Nawab Alivardi Khan?

Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah

What did Siraj ud-Daulah do after claiming the throne?

He sieged the city from England. England tried to take it back but failed.

What was the Black Hole of Calcutta?

The British soldiers were held in a very small jail cell after the attempted conquering but were all smothered to death.

How was the Black Hole of Calcutta used as propaganda?

The British changed the story to make it sound more barbaric to the British citizens in order to justify colonization and White Man’s Burden

Who was Mir Jafar?

He wanted more power than the amount he had with Indian rulers, so he teamed up with the British and helped them win the Battle of Plassey.