British Imperialism in India Causes, Impact, and Consequences

Imperialism Imperialism refers to the political and economic control of one area or country by another region. Imperialism has many different positive and negative effects upon the countries. Two examples of imperialism can be considered by studying the British involvement in India and the European imperialism in Africa. One cause for the British imperialist takeover over the country of India was that the British East India Trade Company controlled trade between these two countries. India became the focal point for the Company’s trade. For example, cotton man-made by Indians were being imported into Britain to supply a worldwide demand for cheap fabrics and dresses. Another reason how the British East Indian Company took over the country of India was for their control over India’s political and economic life. The British started to intervene in Indian politics in the 1750’s. For example, the revolutionary changes in India were a cause for the terrible conditions in India and partly as a consequence of the aggressive ambitions of the British themselves. Some positive effects bestowed upon the Indian society were new systems, health care and infrastructure. For example, the British provided a single system of law and government that unified India. Another example of how the Indian society improved was that the British built roads, bridges, railroads, and telegraph wires in India. These structures provide excellent communication and transportation systems. A third positive effect is that the British built hospitals, and introduced new medicines to the society of India. Although there were several positive effects upon Indian society, unfortunately, there were negative effects as well. One including that the British goods hurt India’s cottage industries in result from competition between one another. Throughout history, there were many more examples of other regions that involved imperialism over another region. This would include European imperialism in Africa. By 1890, most of Africa came under European control/influence. One cause for this European imperialist takeover of Africa was from the division of Africa (“Scramble for Africa”). This “scramble for Africa” which started in the 1870’s, allowed European countries such as France, Germany, Britain and Belgium to claim African territory. Another cause for the European imperialist takeover was rivalries between different European countries. For example, each country aimed to increase its own status by gathering territories in other parts of the world. A third cause for the European imperialist takeover of Africa was resources. For example, the British rule/control over south Africa was secured because of the goldfields and diamond mines discovered there by the British. These important components motivated European colonialism. Along with the causes of European imperialism, there were also a variety of effects as well. A couple of positive results from European colonization include infrastructure and health care. For example, there was an introduction of modern transportation and communication systems, such as telegraphs, railroads and telephones. Also, there was an introduction of European medicine and improved nutrition which led to an expansion of population. As well as the British involvement in India, there were negative effects for the African people. The negative effects that are inherited from the Europeans both include disrespect upon the Africans. For example, African peoples were treated as inferior to Europeans. This shows that certain groups like the Europeans, indulge Africans in a terrible way by suggesting that they are low in rank. Also, Europeans divided Africa and ignored the tribal ethnic and cultural boundaries of the African people. As shown above, there were many causes and effects for the European imperialist takeover of Africa. Imperialism has had many different effects upon colonies in positive ways and negative ways. As you can see from both imperialist takeovers, there was a similar theme in the positive effects on the society that was being taken over (India and Africa). In conclusion, if the imperialist (British or Europeans) hadn’t colonized countries, then those countries may have suffered without the control of power from the imperialists.