Imperial And Colonial Policy Flashcards
When was the Indian Mutiny?
The Indian Mutiny was in 1857.
It lasted one year and brought thousands of deaths.
How did the British demonstrate their desire to retain India during the mutiny?
They expended many British troops to assist the East India Company, they had to retain India at all costs.
What happened to the East India Company following the mutiny?
In 1858 it was dissolved, any control of India was handed to the British government.
What did the Government of India Act, 1858, introduce?
East India Company dissolved, territories in India handed over to the Queen.
The position of Secretary of State for India was established, received powers and duties formerly exercised by the EIC directors.
A council of 15 members (India Council) established to assist Secretary of State for India.
The Crown appointed a Viceroy to replace the company’s Governor-General.
The Indian Civil Service placed under control of Secretary of State.
When was Queen Victoria made Empress of India?
1877
What did the role of Empress of India represent?
British domination, a reminder of Britain’s imperial power.
What Council assisted the Viceroy?
The Legislative Council of 5 were responsible for finance, law, the army, economy and home affairs.
Which group of people represented the Viceroy.
Provincial governors, they had their own legislative councils and oversaw local councils and reported on practical issues.
How many British civil servants were employed to assist in the maintenance of the Raj / Indian Civil Service?
Around 1000.
Why was the Indian Civil Service attractive?
It’s professional bureaucracy of British officials was unique within the Empire.
Positions offered status and good salary.
How did the Viceroy use local elites?
The native rulers in charge of 565 nominally independent Princely States were essential for the smooth running of the subcontinent.
What was the Doctine of Lapse and why was it removed?
Until 1858, the Doctrine of Lapse had ensured that Princely States would fall under British rule when the heir rulers’ line of descent ended.
It was removed to ensure princes’ loyalty.
What was the Indian National Congress established for?
In 1885, the INC met to discuss public affairs and although it was not set up to challenge British rule, it offered a forum for debate and criticism in which demand for a greater role for Indians in government became increasingly strident.
What changes were made to the East India Company’s armies following is dissolution?
They were brought under the control of the Crown.
The proportion of British to Indian troops raised to 1:2.
How many British and Indian troops were in the army by the late 1880s?
70,000 British, 125,000 natives.
How were native Indian troops trained ?
Trained and stationed in their own districts and cut off from one another to prevent any sense of unity.
Also deliberately mixed, by cast and religion.
How did the British reduce the risk of rebellion further within the army?
British officers were increased, all artillery placed in British hands.
Indians placed under British commanders and denied officer ranking.
How did the growth of railways help India’s defence?
3000 miles of railway track were added which expedited the movement of troops.
Lord Canning (First Viceroy) set up which organisation to increase security?
Imperial Police Force
Britain dominated the seas for the past 200 years, but by 1871 is began to face a challenge by which power?
Germany
It became a new powerhouse in Europe, German merchant ships made an increasing appearance on the high seas.
France also began to recover with a new determination to assert its ‘rightful place’ in the world.
Russia too started to transform their economy, creating a rail network that threatened Britain’s control in India.
How did the Great Depression drive interest in Africa?
It encouraged new interest in expansion into Africa, where markets for manufactured goods and new sources of raw materials might be found.
What were the two conferences held to facilitate Europeans’ access to, and control over, African territory?
The Brussels Conference - 1876
Berlin Conference - 1884 to 1885
What did the Brussels Conference conclude?
Africans were incapable of developing the natural recourses to be found in central Africa. European intervention therefore necessary.
The routes to Africa’s great lakes needed to be developed by building roads or railways.
An International African Association should be established to coordinate the Europeans’ efforts.
Did the co-operation that the Brussels Conference promoted raise tensions?
It is said to have heightened competition as European governments were suspicious of Leopold’s (Belgian Host) intentions.
Morgan Stanley was hired to advise in the Congo region but it became clear that Leopoldo was intent on establishing his own Congo empire.
