Year 9 - History
The British Empire in India
The British Empire: how far was it transformed in the mid-nineteenth century?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about how the British Empire changed in the mid-nineteenth century. They examine the British Empire in India, Jamaica, East Asia, and Africa and evaluate the extent to which it was transformed during this period.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to assess the extent to which British rule in India changed after the Indian Rebellion.
Key Notes
- By the 1850s, most of the Indian subcontinent was under the control of the East India Company.
- The social, political and economic impacts of Company rule made the EIC unpopular in India.
- The 1857 Indian Rebellion threatened British rule in India.
- After the Indian Rebellion, India became a Crown Colony governed directly by the British Government.
- Taxes remained high in British India after 1858.
Vocabulary To Learn
- rebellion: during a rebellion, people challenge the authority and even fight against those who govern them
- sepoys: sepoys were Indian soldiers employed in European armies
- proclamation: a proclamation is an official announcement about something important
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All parts of the British Empire were always governed directly by the British government.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
By the 1850s, most of the Indian subcontinent was under the control of the East India Company. The social, political and economic impacts of Company rule made the EIC unpopular in India.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'rebellion'
during a rebellion, people challenge the authority and even fight against those who govern them.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: All parts of the British Empire were always governed directly by the British government. Correction: In the first half of the 19th century, India was ruled by the British East India Company, not by the British Government.
More Lessons In This Unit
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