How were sentiments of the various authors in the primary sources (from the Seminar) reflected in the actions of the British?
Cecil Rhodes wrote in "Confessions of Faith" that the Anglo-Saxon race is superior, and that "every acre added to our territory means in the future birth to some more of the English race". His vision of racist expansion greatly influenced the British empire and early British imperialism in India, as he believed that the world needed to become civilized under the rule of the British. Rhodes argues that it is their destiny to gain territory at every possible chance. Benjamin Disraeli's speech in 1872 also brought a lot of attention to Britain's thirst for prestige, power, and prosperity; while Joseph Chamberlain made many speeches endorsing imperialism and the expansion of the empire. These ideas thus contribute to Britain's rule in India, as the British take control in the country and made drastic changes to Indian society. The British felt the need to take over countries in order to expand their empire and grow in prosperity, where these main ideas are demonstrated clearly in the primary sources.
How did the British maintain control in India and what were the biggest barriers to control? How did Britain's exercise of control change over time?
The British East India Company had controlled trade between Britain and India, soon they swept in to take over much of India, while they claimed to restore order by doing so. By keeping India in chaos, Britain had weakened to empire just enough so that they could take control of the area. Afterwards, the East India Company made changes to the education system and introduced the English language, they also introduced British laws banning certain customs, and invited Christian missionaries to spread their beliefs. However, many Indians began to feel that the British were exploiting them and trying to eliminate their culture, and so these strained relations eventually resulted in a rebellion. Religious sepoys in India also posed as a barrier to British control; they rose up against British officers and violence of the Sepoy Rebellion continued, with both sides committing atrocities. As a result, the British government took over and ruled India directly after 1858, ending the East India Company's rule. This marks the beginning of the British Raj, where British officials held prejudice against Indians, and India grew to become profitable to Britain.
To what extent did British imperialism encourage Indian nationalism?
Resentment for the British grew in the Indian population: Indian elites and middle classes disliked the lack of representation in government, and most were dissatisfied with the changes the British imposed on their society, not to mention how Britain devastated India's economy by closing Indian textile factories and limiting India's marketing. This British rule had fueled Indian nationalism, as the changes in India's economy and society, combined with resentment of the foreign rule, led to the growth of nationalism in India. Although it took more than resentment to build a nationalist movement, it is arguable that British imperialism was a great factor in encouraging Indian nationalism.