British Empire

Question 1

Why did Britain originally become interested in India, and then keep taking over more parts of it?

Answer 1

originally because of the trade it offered, and then because of rivalry with the French and distrust of native rulers

Question 2

By _________, Britain was responsible for _________ throughout India.

Answer 2

By the early 1800s, Britain was responsible for law and order throughout India.

Question 3

List ways in which India benefitted from the British Empire.

Answer 3

• roads, railways and schools were built
• a cheap postal service and telegraph service were set up
• bad Indian customs were stopped
• irrigation schemes were implemented to improve farming
• inspiring British political ideas and methods for achieving liberty with order were spread

Question 4

List ways in which India lost out from the British Empire.

Answer 4

• small industries (e.g. handweaving, craft goods) were ruined by British
• company officials taxed poor Indians heavily
• when a famine spread, East India Company (British) did nothing to help starving, so 1/3 of Bengal’s population died
• British government’s priority was to keep control of India, not serve interests of civilians
• highly paid positions were reserved for Europeans
• British usually treated Indians as second class citizens
• there was a lack of industry and neglect of agriculture
• many EIC officials abused power for own wealth at expense of poor Indians

Question 5

When the British came across native people in India in ____th century, what did they think of them? What did they (the British) think was their duty?

Answer 5

• mid 19th century
• they were shocked by the Indians’ way of life, thinking it ‘backward’, ‘primitive’ and ‘barbaric’
• they believed their duty was to improve these people’s lives by spreading modern technology, manufactured goods, Christianity and education

Question 6

How did ‘white superiority’ start - in what order?

Answer 6

• British thought ‘civilised’ meant themselves, so anyone else with a similar way of life and similar beliefs was also ‘civilised’
• they came across the Indians who had a different way of life and beliefs and considered them ‘uncivilised’ - British felt superior to them
• this attitude affected the way they viewed other races
• this evolved into the belief that the white races of the world were superior to the rest

Question 7

When and how did the British Empire start to be dismantled?

Answer 7

• started to be dismantled in 1867 because Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were given a large degree of self-rule
• these countries were still a part of the Empire, which kept growing even after WW1
• India wanted more power and independence - WW1 and WW2 weakened UK economically - Asian countries had seen Britain struggle against Japan
• Britain was no longer seen as natural ruler: all British colonies became independent countries unless too small/wished to remain a colony
• around 50 ex-Empire countries remain in Commonwealth now

Question 8

What were the advantages of having a British Empire?

Answer 8

• trading with other countries
• help for war
• taxes coming in
• raw materials
• fresh food supplies
• work force
• acquiring hard-to-get products
• military strength

Question 9

What is the British Empire?

Answer 9

a collective term for the territories under the leadership or control of the British crown, including those in the Commonwealth - it ruled 1/4 of world population and covered 1/4 of Earth