India History: The Big Picture

1. India History: The Big Picture Study Guide

2. India • Hinduism begins in India. Hinduism is the largest polytheistic religion. Characteristics of Hinduism: caste system, karma, reincarnation. • Another major world religion, Buddhism, is founded in India. It is spread to China and Southeast Asia by the missionary Asoka.

3. India • 1500’s: British Empire controls India: Introduces religion of Islam to India. Spreads it to the Kashmir region, which is found in the Himalayan mountains. Its chief product of trade was textiles. The Mughals were also well known for architectural achievements, such as the Taj Mahal. Three European countries set up trading posts in India at this time: • Portugal, Netherlands, and England.

4. India • British imperialism begins in India – includes areas of India, Pakistan, and island of Ceylon. Indians who want independence form Indian National Congress. • 1920’s-1940: Gandhi uses civil disobedience and passive resistance to try to convince the British to give India its independence.

5. India • 1947: India given independence from Great Britain. India split in half – independent countries of India – Hindu and Pakistan – Muslim (East and West). • East Pakistan is an independent country today called Bangladesh. An island off the coast of India, Sri Lanka, is also given independence. It used to be known as Ceylon when it was a British colony.

6. India • India and Pakistan argue over who should control Kashmir – Kashmir is part of India, but is two-thirds Muslim. • 1971: War between India and Pakistan. East Pakistan is supported by India and it becomes the independent country of Bangladesh. • 1974: India tests nuclear bomb • 1990: Pakistan tests nuclear bomb • Present: Pakistan and India still fighting over Kashmir.

7. Latin America: 500-present • The Mayans were an advanced Native American tribe located on the Yucatan Peninsula. • The Incas were an advanced Native American tribe located in the Andes Mountains in South America in present day Peru and Chile. • The Aztec were an advanced Native American tribe located in Central Mexico.

8. Exploration • 1492: Columbus sailed west in search of a western route to Asia, but instead ran into the Caribbean islands. The island of Hispaniola became a Spanish colony. • Spanish conquistadors showed up to conquer land for Spain. Cortez conquered the Aztec, claiming Mexico for Spain. • Pizarro conquered the Incas, thus claiming most of South America for Spain.

9. Exploration • Brazil became the only Latin American colony of Portugal. • The religion of Spain, the Catholic Church was spread to Latin America by missionaries, the Jesuits. Most people in Latin America now speak Spanish.