Migration: Expansion and Empire Flashcards
Why were the Europeans first interested in India?
Natural resources such as iron ore, silk and copper
What were initially set up along the coast to support European trade with India?
Trading posts
What was the name of the British company trading with India?
East India Company
Which royal family was in decline which allowed the East India company to take control of land and make deals with Hindu princes?
Mughals
What was the battle in 1757 which allowed the British to take over Bengal?
Battle of Plassey
What was the significance of the battle of Plassey?
It allowed Britain to take full control of India from other European posts as well as get richer parts of India such as Bengal. It allowed them to establish superiority against India
Apart from economic motivations, what was Britain’s other justification for control of India?
Also found people that would work for their empire, eg: labourers and were able to grow their empire
What was the Government Act of India?
The EIC was bankrupt and so the British government took joint control of the territory in India and appointed a governor general
What caused the mutiny of the sepoys?
- treated poorly with little hope of promotion
- sent to the most dangerous places
- cartridges for new Enfield rifles were rumoured to have pork and beef fat
What were the consequences of the Indian rebellion of 1857?
- mutineers were punished harshly
- 200 women and children were killed at Cawnpore, uprisings across North India
- EIC was replaced with the direct rule of the British government led by a viceroy
- less interference with religious ways of life
- more Indians allowed jobs in local gov.
Name two ways in which British rule impacted India’s economic situation
- raw materials were taken and sold for personal fortunes
- an irrigation program was introduced
- development of coal mining
- created jobs for Indians and the British in shipping, transportation, and sales
- built roads and railways
What is a sepoy?
An Indian soldier recruited by the British EIC that rebelled against the British
Name two ways in which British rule impacted Indian society
- development of transportation
- introduction of the vaccine and treatment programmes –> increasing life expectancy
- improved sewage systems
- caused famines
- introduced the British legal system
- spread of the English language
Name one economic impact of India on Britain
- tea trade was worth £30 million per year
- total exports were worth £140 million by 1900
Name one social impact of the rule of India on Britain
- Indian soldiers fought for Britain in both world wars
- tea became a popular drink
- Indian words such as shampoo became commonly used
- the Royal Pavilion was built in an Indian style
What is the term given to the European countries all trying to take over Africa?
Scramble for Africa
Why were European countries interested in Africa?
- ‘cash crops’ such as rubber, coffee and timber were grown there, rich countries saw Africa as a way of getting richer
- assert power + dominance to surrounding Europena countries
- Christian missionaries felt it was their duty to convert Africans to Christians
How much of Africa did Britain control by 1900?
32%
Give an example of African resistance to European control
Zulu Wars
What was the Berlin Conference?
In 1885, European countries gathered in Berlin, Germany to decide which nation could take which areas
Define imperialism
The belief that Britain should extend its powers and influence over other parts of the world by any means possible
Define social Darwinism
Using Darwin’s theory of evolution to argue that it was right for the stronger (and therefore superior) Britain to take over the weaker countries
What actions did Cecil Rhodes take as governor?
- introduced an act that pushed black people from their homes
- increased black peoples taxes on their homes
- made it harder for them to vote
What actions did Cecil Rhodes take to make money in Africa?
Set up diamond mines
Why do some argue that Rhodes has been treated unfairly?
- set up the Rhodes scholarship
- donated to Cape town university
- was a product of his time
How did the British gain control of the Suez Canal?
- bought a controlling share in the Suez Canal and subsequently gave Egypt money for the control of the trade, railways, post offices, and ports
- sent soldiers into Egypt to secure the Suez Canal
What challenges did the British face in Sudan?
- uprising by religious leader called Madhi
- British had to use brutal military campaigns to put it down
Who were the Boers?
Descendants of Dutch settler who had gone to southern Africa in the 1650s
What was the outcome of the Boer wars for the British?
- the battle was harder than expected
- 6000 died in battle
- 16000 died from illness
- Boer states became British colonies and South Africa became a dominion
What caused the Boer war?
British wanted to take advantage of the riches Boer land and use it for mining
Why was the Boer war significant?
- Boer states became dominions because they were still technically colonies but were allowed to make their own decisions
- introduction of free school meals by the government because many volunteered to fight but were deemed unfit
- this also encouraged children the teaching of domestic science
