Prelude to Indian Independence

1. Prelude to Indian Independence

2. The Scramble For Overseas Territory Imperialism • New imperialism was more rapid & dominating • Strong economic motivations • Ties to Social Darwinism & racism? • Brought world together, but also cause of many wars

3. British East India Company Cornering The Market • 1498- Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama discovered a new sea route to India • British enterprise full of London businessmen band together to import Indian spices • After the destruction of the Spanish Armada, the East Indies belonged to the British

4. Portuguese Trade Route

5. The Battle of Plassey • B.E.I.C given permission in 1617 to trade in India • By 1717, granted permits for duty free trade in Bengal • People of Bengal opposed this permit, leading them to war

6. The Battle of Plassey • 1757- B.E.I.C army was led by Sir Robert Clive which overwhelmed Bengal • Victory symbolized the first political foothold that British acquired in India • Clive became 1st Governor of Bengal, as the British began taxing the natives • Consolidation of an empire began & by 1849, Great Britain dominated India

8. The Indian Mutiny • B.E.I.C maintained its own military—hired Sepoys as a more diplomatic approach—attempt to ease tensions • Hatred brewed over the rumored sepoy exposure to “ritual pollution” • Sepoys refused to carry out duties & were arrested by British • Response was a Sepoy rampage

9. First Attempt At Independence • Indians greatly outnumbered British 240,000 to 40,000 • British ultimately crushed the revolt • Poor organization and dissension among troops cause of Indian downfall • Battle at Cawnpore: Atrocities of this battle resulted in costly losses on both sides

10. Rise Of The British Raj • British Parliament gained direct control of India—Title of Empress of India bestowed uponQueenVictoria • India becomes “Jewel of the Crown” • Viceroys maintain order—subjects consisted of 300 million people

11. Some Advantages of Colonial Status • Order & stability brought • Education • Brutal traditions eliminated • Religious fanatics eliminated • Railroads • Telegraphs • Postal Service • Health & Sanitation

12. Hardships of Colonial Status Economic & Social Problems • Destroyed industries • Taxation • Farmers: food to cotton • Starvation • Native traditions not honored

13. Indian Nationalist Movement • Nationalism: sense of unity & common identity felt by people who share the same history • 1885- Indian National Congress formed • Members educated—looked for say in government initially, not independence • British were not compliant with proposals of the I.N.C.

14. Division of Thought & Belief • I.N.C. divided into radicals & moderates • “New Party” formed—called for use of terrorism & violence to achieve national independence • “Muslim League” formed—Muslims believed that their needs were not surfacing within the I.N.C.—needed representation of their interests

15. Life Of A Born Leader Mohandas Gandhi • Born 1869 in Gujarat in Western India • Son of a government minister • Western education (London)—in law • 1893—worked in South African law firm to serve Indian workers there • Witnessed racial prejudice & exploitation of Indians

16. Gandhi’s Immediate Impact • 1914- Gandhi returned from South Africa & brought experience, new life to the Indian National Congress • Gandhi’s 2 Goals: convert British to his own views, strengthen unity among all Indians • Rise of “Civil Disobedience”