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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will learn about what British colonialism looked like in India after 1857. We will look at different ways in which the British tried to strengthen and justify their control over India, and the ways in which Indians experienced, resisted and responded to British colonialism.

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5 Questions

Q1.
In 1776, what happened to Britain's empire in America?
Britain gained many new American colonies
Correct answer: Britain's American colonies rebelled against the British Empire and were lost
Q2.
Where did Britain look to rebuild its empire?
Correct answer: East
West
Q3.
Which of the following would be a clear example of Britain's political dominance over its colonies?
Believing that the white 'race' was superior to other 'races'
Drinking tea produced in a colony
Correct answer: Making laws that people in a colony had to follow
Making money by exploiting cheap labour in a colony
Q4.
'Britain had complete, unchallenged control over its colonies'. True or false?
Correct answer: False
True
Q5.
Challenge: Which of the following best shows BOTH economic exploitation and culturalism?
Passing British laws in a colony because of a belief that native societies are too 'backward' to make their own laws
Passing British laws in a colony to prevent native people from protesting
Correct answer: Taking land from native people in a colony because of a belief that native societies are too 'backward' to use the land properly
Taking land from native people in a colony in order to make money

5 Questions

Q1.
What was the title given to the top governor of India, appointed by the queen?
General
King
Prince
Correct answer: Viceroy
Q2.
Why were British officials in India encouraged not to marry Indian women?
It was illegal
The British thought that marrying Indian women would upset the Indian people
They thought that Indian women would kill the British officials
Correct answer: They wanted to keep clear boundaries between the white 'race' and Indians
Q3.
Who was allowed to judge criminal cases involving white British people in the countryside?
Both white European and Indian judges
Only Indian judges
Correct answer: Only white European judges
Q4.
How many people are estimated to have died in famines in India in the last 25 years of the nineteenth century?
Between 1 and 2 million people
Between 10 and 15 million people
Correct answer: Between 12 and 30 million people
Between 5 and 10 million people
Q5.
Which one of the following is true?
Correct answer: Indian religious and cultural communities were important in supporting self-help strategies for responding to British colonialism
Indians thought that self-help was a pointless response to British colonialism
The British directly helped many Indians to set up their own businesses
The British put a lot of money into supporting Indian self-help groups