Q2 - Lesson #32 - British Rule in India

  We probably won't finish all of these activities today, but we'll see how far we get...
The Colonial Ledger: You were asked to brainstorm a list of effects of colonialism. Let's talk about what you came up with, and I can share some others from a source I've used before with this activity.

Cartoon ShowcaseI'm assuming most of you have done this assignment and have them with you. It's time for show and tell... Share your work with the others sitting near you, and decide if there's one on industrialization and one on imperialism that you want to advance to show the "big group." Oh yeah, then we should turn them in. 


Next, we'll head over to India to look at the age of British rule and its effects, largely through a debate format.

British Imperialism in India - Brief Timeline

1707 - Mughal Empire is collapsing
1757 - East India Company troops win at Battle of Plassey
1857 - Sepoy Mutiny takes place
1858 - Raj begins as British take direct control of India
1877 - British viceroy rules India
1885 - Indian National Congress Forms
1905 - Partition of Bengal into Hindu and Muslim sections
1947 - India gains independence


The Sepoy Mutiny: Here's a website from Emory University that takes a look at the events of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. To better understand what this was all about, you might want to browse some of the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • Religion
  • Divide and Conquer
  • Expansionism
  • Torture and Oppression
  • The Rebellion
  • The Cawnpore Massacres
  • The Siege of Delhi
  • Conclusion

Debate
: You'll be asked to represent one of the two sides in a brief debate on the resolution below. I'll provide you with an additional set of information for "your" side that should be helpful, and you will have some time to look at the resources below.

** On balance, the era of British rule was beneficial for India. **

Download a copy of the Imperialism in India flowsheet to help keep track of arguments. Keep in mind there is a distinction between facts, interpretations made about facts, and judgments made on the basis of an interpretation. All have a place in a discussion or debate, but be aware of the way in which they differ.

An example might be:
Fact: "We take daily reading quizzes in World History 10."
Interpretation: "Mr. Vergin thinks it is important that we read and understand the material."
Judgment: "Mr. Vergin is mean because I'd rather be playing in the yard than doing the reading."

We'll hold this informal, large-group debate during the last thirty minutes of class. (Or, if we get bogged down on the things above, we'll start here tomorrow...)


DBQ Activity - Imperialism in India: An Evaluation Spending a little time with both these document excerpts and the primary sources below will help you with our culminating activity, a brief debate on the impact of British rule on India.


Primary Sources on India: Here are a number of primary sources related to the British rule in India. Some might be particularly useful for our conversation, and others are simply provided for your information.


HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Thursday, December 18th
 
Please finish your reading in Chapter 27 with Section 5, "Imperialism in Southeast Asia." (pp. 796 - 799)


 

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This page contains a single entry by Mike Vergin published on December 17, 2008 8:00 AM.

Q2 - Lesson #31 - The Colonial Era in Africa was the previous entry in this blog.

Q2 - Lesson #33 - Imperialism in South and Southeast Asia is the next entry in this blog.

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