The British Empire

1. The British Empire

2. The British Empire • “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” • But the crown jewel of the empire was India.

3. British India • In the 1600’s, the British East India Company set up trading posts in a few major Indian cities. • In the mid 1700’s the Indian Mughal dynasty that ruled, collapsed. The East India Company took advantage and basically took over India with its own private army.

4. British India

5. British India • In the 1800’s, the British government got more involved in security, government and regulating trade in India.

6. Benefits to the British • India provided huge amounts of raw materials that could be sent to Britain. • India’s 300 million people were also a large market for British goods.

7. Benefits for India • Unfortunately, there were less benefits for the native Indians. • Britain did not allow Indians to manufacture for themselves. They had to buy British goods only. • The British did set up a railroad network, but it only transported British goods.

8. Sepoy Rebellion • In 1857, Sepoys, which were Indian soldiers in the British army, rebelled. • There were already feelings of resentment towards the British for their control and their poor treatment of the natives. The rebellion broke out over the lubricant on a rifle.

9. Sepoy Rebellion The British Enfield Rifle.

10. Sepoy rebellion • Rumors spread that the cartridges for the Enfield rifle were lubricated with beef and pork fat. • Soldiers had to bite the seal off of the cartridges before loading. • Hindu Indians were offended because cows are sacred to their faith. • Muslim Indians were offended because pork was considered a pollutant.

11. Sepoy Rebellion

12. Sepoy Rebellion

13. Sepoy Rebellion • Sepoys that refused to use the cartridges were jailed. • The next day, the Sepoys rebelled. • Fighting lasted for over a year. Finally, the East India Company regained control. • After that, the British government was much more involved in controlling India.

14. Sepoy Rebellion

15. Sepoy Rebellion The Fate of rebellious Indians

16. 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, British Commander of the army in India

17. Opium War • Prior to the 1800’s: the trade in China actually favored the Chinese. • To defeat the trade imbalance the Europeans introduce the Chinese to Opium. • Many Chinese people became addicted. • The Chinese government fights the British to keep opium out of the country. • Result-Treaty of Nan King- British get Hong Kong

18. Boxer Rebellion • Open Door Policy- U.S. felt that every nation should have the opportunity to trade with China. • Many European nations and even Japan had spheres of influence in China. • The Empress wanted them out.

19. The Boxers (1900) • The Fists of Righteous Harmony- Attacked Missionaries. • Europeans barricaded themselves in their neighborhoods and waited for help from their militaries. • The Boxers are eradicated.

20. British vs. Zulu 1878-1879 • 1816 Shaka formed an empire. • 1878-Zulus were given an ultimatum. • Disband your army and accept British Authority. • 1879-Zulus resisted and were ultimately defeated. • British broke the Empire into 13 Kinglets.