DO NOWIn the late nineteenth century, the British commonly referred to the Suez Canal in Egypt as the “Lifeline of the Empire” because it:

A: held large deposits of coal needed by British industries. B: provided a strategic shipping route to British colonies. C: served as a ship-building center for the British navy. D: irrigated several cash crops in the British colonies.

-B: provided a strategic shipping route to British colonies.

11.4 British Imperialism in India

As the Mughal Empire declined, Britain seizes Indian territory and soon it controls almost the whole subcontinent.

British Imperialism

Britain Expands Control Over India

East India Company Dominates◦ British East India Company rules India until 1850’s◦ Company had its own army led by British officers◦ Army is staffed by sepoys (Indian Soldiers)

Britain Expands Control Over India

India is Britain’s most valuable colony, or “jewel”

Forced to produce raw materials for British manufacturing

Forced to buy British goods

Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown”

British Transport Trade Goods◦ Railroads move “cash-crops” and goods faster◦ Trade in specific crops ties to international events

British Expand Control

British hold much of political and economic power

Cash crops result in loss of “self-sufficiency” and famine

Indian life disrupted by missionaries and racist attitudes

British modernize India’s economy, improve public health

Impact of Colonialism

Indians Rebel◦ Sepoys refuse to use cartridges of new rifles for

religious reasons◦ Many Sepoys are jailed; others start Sepoy Mutiny

against British◦ Many Idians, especially Sikhs, remain loyal to

British

The Sepoy Mutiny

Turning Point:◦ British put down rebellion, take direct command

of India◦Raj: British rule – after India comes under direct

control◦ Uprising increases distrust between British and

Indians

The Sepoy Mutiny

Call for Reforms:◦ In 1800’s, Ram Mohun Roy leads modernization

movement◦ Many Indians adopt western ways – call for social

reforms◦ Indians resent being second-class citizens in their

own country Nationalist Groups Form

◦ Indian National Congress and Muslim League form◦ Nationalist angered by partition of Bengal

Pressures Britain to go back and change

Nationalism in India