Importance of India to Britain Flashcards
What was India’s economic role?
To provide raw materials and a market for British manufactured goods
What were some of India’s raw materials, originally?
Cotton, rice, tea, wheat, oil-seed, hides, jute
By the early 20th century, what were Indians raw goods?
Iron, steel, engineering products
When was the Suez Canal?
1869
What was the importance of the Suez Canal?
Greatly reduced the travelling time betw India and Britain
= Reduced the cost of transportation
What was the purpose of tariffs?
For new countries, they could protect their newly developing industries on imported goods coming to the country
What was the result of tariffs?
They made imported goods more expensive than domestically produced ones
= Allowing new industries to grow and develop
What happened in 1879?
All import duties on Lancashire cotton cloth were removed, flooding the Indian market
Why was the event in 1879 disastrous?
India was experiencing famine, a time where the Indian cotton industry desperately needed support
How much money did India receive in 1910?
One tenth of all British overseas investment
(£360M)
In 1910, what was the money to India used for?
Railway development, tea, and coffee plantations
What did India provide to Britannia’s?
Employment for the ICS
What happened when Britannia’s went back ‘home’?
They received pensions paid for by India
How did Britain have a secure presence in Asia?
Through the Indian army’s manpower commitment
