Indian Independence
April 22, 2010
Indian Independence
India, in the 18th century was ruled by the British for two centuries. The Indians wanted freedom from the British. British looted and caused fights in India and treated them with no respect. The Indian Independence was caused by British Imperialism. The British wanted to take over India, but India wanted freedom as well since it’s their country not the British. Although politics and nationalism were important causes of the Indian Independence Movement, the most important cause was Imperialism because of the British East India Company, economy, and religion.
The British East India Company was a cause of imperialism. The British looted Indians and treated them with less value, while Gandhi tried respecting the Englishmen because he thought non-violence was the way to achieve their country and freedom back. But according to Gandhi the British did everything in India, “I tried to live like an Indian, but it’s the British who decided what we do, what we buy, and what we sell.” (Gandhi.). The meaning of this was that Britain barged in their territory disrespectfully. British are not letting Indians produce own goods or wear and make Indian clothes. They had to buy the British goods and clothes. This put many Indian Industries out of business. “It was comprised of individual territories controlled by different rulers. The EIC brokered contracts with these rulers and gradually gained influence over the subcontinent,” (McGrath.). The Dutch already took control of the Spice Islands so the British thought of taking over India but they were controlled in small territories and by uniting them it would be easier for the British to achieve money altogether more accurately and less stressfully. Clearly, the British East India Company was a connection to imperialism in the Indian Independence Movement.
The economy was a major problem as well. According to Gandhi, fighting’s not the best way to attain peace, “Peace
Indian Independence
India, in the 18th century was ruled by the British for two centuries. The Indians wanted freedom from the British. British looted and caused fights in India and treated them with no respect. The Indian Independence was caused by British Imperialism. The British wanted to take over India, but India wanted freedom as well since it’s their country not the British. Although politics and nationalism were important causes of the Indian Independence Movement, the most important cause was Imperialism because of the British East India Company, economy, and religion.
The British East India Company was a cause of imperialism. The British looted Indians and treated them with less value, while Gandhi tried respecting the Englishmen because he thought non-violence was the way to achieve their country and freedom back. But according to Gandhi the British did everything in India, “I tried to live like an Indian, but it’s the British who decided what we do, what we buy, and what we sell.” (Gandhi.). The meaning of this was that Britain barged in their territory disrespectfully. British are not letting Indians produce own goods or wear and make Indian clothes. They had to buy the British goods and clothes. This put many Indian Industries out of business. “It was comprised of individual territories controlled by different rulers. The EIC brokered contracts with these rulers and gradually gained influence over the subcontinent,” (McGrath.). The Dutch already took control of the Spice Islands so the British thought of taking over India but they were controlled in small territories and by uniting them it would be easier for the British to achieve money altogether more accurately and less stressfully. Clearly, the British East India Company was a connection to imperialism in the Indian Independence Movement.
The economy was a major problem as well. According to Gandhi, fighting’s not the best way to attain peace, “Peace
Bibliography: Einfeld, Jann. The History of Nations India. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Gandhi. Dir. Richard Attenborough. Perf. Ben Kingsley. 1982. DVD. The British Presence in India in the 18th Century. Professor Peter Marshall, 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 18 Apr. 2010. . Gandhi. Dir. Richard Attenborough. Perf. Ben Kingsley. 1982. DVD.