Nineteenth Century Imperialism: Asia

1. Nineteenth Century Imperialism: Asia

2. India: Jewel in the Crown • At this time Great Britain had free reign in India • Why was GB interested in India? • Natural resources • New markets • Human resources; 300 million

3. India: Jewel in the Crown • The British aggravated Indian society, especially in regards to the caste system & differences in religion

4. India: Jewel in the Crown • The British encouraged upper class Indians to get an education, yet they still treated them as if they were 2nd rate citizens • “Europeans only”

5. India: Jewel in the Crown • “It is the consciousness of the inherent superiority of the European which has won for us India. However well educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered an equal of the British officer.” • --Lord Kitchener

6. India: Jewel in the Crown • Sepoy Rebellion (1856): • Sepoys: • Indian soldiers that served under British officers

7. India: Jewel in the Crown • Cultural Conflict: • The rifle cartridges being used by the Sepoyswere made of animal fat • To use the cartridges the soldiers had to bite off both ends – OUTRAGE!

8. India: Jewel in the Crown • The rifle in question was the 1857 Enfield (a muzzle-loading black powder rifle) • The newly-introduced Enfield rifle required a soldier to bite off the end of the cartridge containing the bullet, and pour the powder down the barrel of the rifle. The bullet was then put in and rammed home. The greased paper around the bullet made it easier for the bullet to be rammed down the barrel, and also created a seal around the bullet which helped prevent "windage," or gas escaping around the bullet during its short trip down the barrel during firing.

9. India: Jewel in the Crown • As a result: • The Sepoys rebelled against the British • Country-wide slaughter of British citizens • British retaliation

10. India: Jewel in the Crown • Aftermath of Sepoy Rebellion: • Act for the Better Government of India

11. India: Jewel in the Crown • Act for the Better Government of India: • India was placed under the direct control of the British government • Queen Victoria of England was given title “Empress of India”

12. India: Jewel in the Crown • Indian Nationalism: • Eventually many Indians began to receive British educations • Heavily influenced by the ideas of democracy, nationalism & socialism

13. India: Jewel in the Crown • Led many Indians to believe that the British were acting hypocritically • Indian National Congress: • An organization that was focused on the goal of gaining Indian independence

14. China: Another Jewel

15. China: Another Jewel • High demand for tea & silk in Great Britain at this time • China’s looking pretty good…

16. China: Another Jewel • The Chinese DO NOT want to trade with GB, nor do they want manufactured goods from GB • Restrict trade with the British • Only allowed to use one Chinese port

17. China: Another Jewel • During the 18th & 19th centuries the British were determined to find a product that the Chinese would buy in large quantities

18. China: Another Jewel • Product? • OPIUM • Great Britain floods China with opium from India 1835 – 12 million Chinese addicted

19. China: Another Jewel • Chinese officials attempted to stop the opium trade • Great Britain refused to stop! • Results in The Opium War • GB crushed Chinese forces

20. China: Another Jewel • NANKING TREATY OF 1842: • The Chinese were forced to: • Open new ports • Legalize the opium trade • Give Hong Kong to GB • Accept extraterritoriality

21. China: Another Jewel • Extraterritoriality: • British citizens living in China were not subject to Chinese laws or courts

22. China: Another Jewel • Other countries were interested in trading with China as well • The US encouraged the adoption of the Open Door Policy

23. China: Another Jewel • Open Door Policy: • All countries were given equal access to trade in all regions of China • Led to increasing unrest among the Chinese

24. Japan: A Unique Story

25. Japan: Victim • Japan closed to European influence since 1600s • Commodore Perry sent to Japan by U.S. President to demand trade rights • Gives ultimatum – will return in 1 year

26. Japan: Victim • Japan forced to sign Treaty of Kanagawa • US gets open trade with Japan • Japanese are angry shogun gave in to foreigner’s demands

27. Japan: Aggressor • Shogun replaced by a young emperor, Mutsuhito • Japan decides to modernize to save culture! (Meiji Era) • By 1890, Japan was the strongest military power in Asia

28. Japan: Aggressor • Wanted to expand their empire in order to protect their security, meet economic needs & promote nationalism • Japan beat China & Russia! • Takes Taiwan, Pescadores Islands, Manchuria & Korea

29. Japan: Aggressor • 1910 Japan officially controlled Korea • Banned teaching of Korean • Koreans forced to take Japanese names • Farmers forced off lands; businesses handed over to Japanese

30. What does this Mean? • Tensions caused by the competition for colonies was one of the underlying causes of World War I