Reasons+for+British+Imperialism

=Reasons for Imperialism in India= The British wanted to colonize India mainly because of its abundant natural resources and raw materials. The British viewed India as an opportunity to gain a much larger market to buy their manufactured goods and as a way to make money for future advances in Britain. They viewed India as the "jewel in the crown" showing how valuable India was to Britain. The British also used imperialism as a way to inspire nationalism within Britain and as a way to spread European beliefs and religions. The British also enjoyed a 3 way trade between India, China, and Britain, trading things such as opium and cotton from India for tea from China. Because the British were much more technologically advanced they also felt that they were obligated to westernize other races of people.

=Advantages Britain had over India=

Britain was able to colonize India mostly because it was much more technologically advanced. They also considered themselves to be all around better than the Indian people leading to them disregarding the natives' beliefs and culture. The British wrere inspired by ideas of both Social Darwinism and The White Man's Burden which lead them to thinking that that they were not only better suited for the world but that it was their duty to 'tame' and 'civilize' other peoples. The British also set up laws restricting Indian manufacturing companies from competing with British companies. This action severely hurt Indian companies, nearly destroying some industries, while allowing British companies to flourish and gain very large profits.

The above cartoon shows America (on the left) gambling with many other countries for different colonies. 'A Quiet Little Game' probably refers to The Great Game that happened after the Crimean War and, although the as a whole this doesn't represent the topic, it shows how the colonies were not respected as they were being used as mere pawn and chips by more powerful countries. It also how the European countries (and America) thought themselves more important than their colonies.