Document-Based Essay Question: What was the Impact of Imperialism on India?

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Name ________________________________ Imperialism DBQ
Document-Based Essay Question: What was the Impact of Imperialism on India?
In this topic, you have learned about European imperialism from 1800-1914. This was an era in
which European countries used their wealth and technology to establish empires around the globe.
In this assessment, you will examine a variety of primary and secondary sources to come to your
own conclusion about the following question: What was the impact of imperialism on India?
Document-Based Questions: Student Instructions
The Age of Imperialism Document-Based Question Writing Activity
Step 1 CONNECT:
Start by examining the photo of a polo team in Hyderabad, India, in 1880. The team included British
officials and Indian princes:
Before beginning your independent work, consider these questions
– What elements of British culture are evident in the photo?
– What elements of traditional Indian culture are evident?
– What does the photograph tell you about the nature of British rule in India?
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Step 2 INVESTIGATE: Apply Concepts
Now you are ready to begin your own investigation. You will examine six sources related to the
British rule in India. Two sources were written by men who lived in India during the era of British rule.
Two of the sources were written by modern historians. The fifth source was created by an artist in
response to events in British India. The sixth source is a graph of economic data from British India.
After you analyze all six sources, you will be ready to write an essay in which you express and
support your own opinion.
Step 2A: Check Understanding
To check your understanding of each individual document, answer the multiple choice and short
answer questions attached to each document.
Step 3 SYNTHESIZE: Evaluate Sources and Use Evidence to Formulate conclusions
Now it’s time to consider all of the evidence and viewpoints and draw your own conclusions. Use the
documents and your knowledge of history to write an essay on the following question:
What was the impact of imperialism on India?
Step 3A: Write Your Essay
In writing your essay, make sure that you:
– Clearly state your view in a topic sentence.
– Use evidence from at least three of the documents. Clearly identify which documents you are
using.
– Support your viewpoint with relevant facts.
– ***Consider and respond to at least one argument opposed to your own viewpoint***
– Use a logical organizational structure, and use transitions to connect ideas. Write an introduction
with a clear topic sentence, a body with your main points, and a strong conclusion.
– Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
– Read and revise your essay before submitting
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Document 1: The Benefits of British Rule
Introduction
Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was an Indian nationalist known for his criticism of British policies in
India. In 1871, he gave a speech in London called “On the Commerce of India.” In the speech, he
criticized British rule but also acknowledged its benefits to his home country.
Primary Source
In the Cause of Humanity: Abolition of suttee and infanticide. Destruction of Dacoits, Thugs,
Pindarees, and other such pests of Indian society. Allowing remarriage of Hindu widows, and
charitable aid in time of famine. Glorious work all this, of which any nation may well be proud, and
such has not fallen to the lot of any people in the history of mankind.
In the Cause of Civilization: Education, for both male and female. Leading gradually to the
destruction of superstition, and many moral and social evils. Resuscitation of India’s own noble
literature, modified and redefined by the enlightenment of the West. Still India must be, and is deeply
grateful.
Politically: Peace and order. Freedom of speech and liberty of the press. Higher political knowledge
and aspirations. Improvement of government in the native states. Security of life and property.
Freedom from oppression caused by the greed of absolutist rulers, and from devastation by war.
Equal justice between man and man. Services of highly educated administrators, who have achieved
the above-mentioned good results.
Materially: Loans for railways and irrigation…The development of a few valuable products, such as
indigo, tea, coffee, silk, etc. Increase of exports. Telegraphs.
Generally: A slowly growing desire of late to treat India fairly, and as a country held in trust. Good
intentions.
– From “On the Commerce of India” by Dadabhai Naoroji, 1871
____ 1. Which example from the section “In the Cause of Humanity” would also support Naoroji’s
claim that the British brought peace and order to India?
a. “Charitable aid in the time of famine”
b. “Allowing remarriage of Hindu widows”
c. “Abolition of suttee and infanticide
d. “Destruction of Dacoits, Thugs, Pindarees, and other such pests of Indian society”
____ 2. Which statement best summarizes the material benefits of British rule as described by
Naoroji?
a. The British made India an important trade center
b. The British introduced agriculture in India
c. The British imperialized India
d. The British modernized transportation and communication in India
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3. Infer — What is Naoroji implying when he says Britain has “good intentions” and “a slowly
growing desire of late” to treat India fairly? What other phrases in the speech support this
implication?
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Document 2: British Agricultural Policies
Introduction
Scotsman Allan Octavian Hume served as an administrator in India and became one of the founding
members of the Indian National Congress. During the 1870s, he served in the revenue and
agriculture department of India’s colonial government. At the end of his term, he wrote a pamphlet
that explained the impact of British policy of Indian agriculture and the need for reform.
Primary Source
We began by fixing a demand higher than the existing condition of affairs justified according to
traditional theory, but not higher than what out immediate predecessors had taken and this demand
we stereotyped forever.
Time has rolled on; a roadless wilderness has been traversed in all directions by railways and roads;
under our protecting rule a vast internal and foreign commerce has been developed (trade network),
prices of agricultural produce (crops) have risen, new and extremely profitable goods have been
introduced, but our demand remains the same as it was seventy years ago, and is probably between
four and five millions less than it would have been at the present moment if not for our predecessors.
They fixed the demand for periods of twenty or thirty years.
These extra millions would have made the administration easy. We should never have heard of
license and income taxes, counterproductive to the county, how ever suitable in theory; famine
drained the economy, leading to, the government unable to pay back debts, about nine-tenths of the
taxes owed in the last fifteen years, which have created a more or less sore feeling in every section
and grade of the community.
Had the country gained by it, we might derive some comfort in looking back on his stupendous
error. But the result has been only to create a multitude of absentee landlords and rent-chart holders,
and to leave the masses, except in particular localities, worse off and more miserable that those of
any other part of the empire.
— From “Agricultural Reform in India” by Allan Octavian Hume, 1879
____ 1. According to Hume, what “stupendous error” did the British make?
a. establishing income and license taxes
b. allowing the creation of absentee landlords
c. setting demand at a fixed rate for many years
d. allowing agricultural prices to rise
____ 2. Which detail supports Hume’s claim that India’s masses were worse off than those in other
colonies?
a. famine expenditure that nearly bankrupted the government
b. vast domestic and foreign commerce
c. a lack of absentee landlords
d. higher agricultural prices
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3. Summarize — How did British rule affect agriculture in India?
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Document 3: Famine
Introduction
As Hume hinted, one consequence of British policies in India was famine. Under British rule, India
experienced two widespread famines, one from 1876-1877 and another from 1899-1900. The image
below shows a British artist’s rendering of native victims of the 1870s famine, waiting for relief in
Bangalore.
Primary Source
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____ 1. Which best describes the British people in the image?
a. They are the at center of the image
b. They are shown as victims of the famine
c. They are in the background of the image
d. They are shown helping famine victims
____ 2. What does the image suggest about the famine?
a. Its victims suffered in isolated villages
b. It affected British and Indians equally
c. Its victims expected the British to help them
d. It affected very few people overall
3. Determine Point of View — What is the artist’s point of view about the famine in India? Cite
evidence from this primary source to support your answer.
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Document 4: Social Impact
Introduction
British rule in India changed not only the country’s agricultural system, but also the very structure of
Indian society. In this secondary source excerpt, historian Angus Maddison explains the social
impact of British rule in India.
Secondary Source
The main changes, which the British made in Indian society, were at the top. They replaced the
wasteful warlord aristocracy of a business-run military establishment, carefully designed by
utilitarian technological innovators, which was very efficient in maintaining law and order. The
greater efficiency of government permitted a large reduction in the tax burden, and a bigger share of
the national product was available for landlords, capitalists and the new professional classes. Some
of this upper class income was sent off to the UK, but the bulk was spent in India. However, the
pattern of consumption changed as the new upper class no longer kept harems and palaces, did
not wear fine muslins and damascened swords. This caused some painful readjustments in the
traditional handicraft area. It seems likely that there was some increase in productive investment
which must have been near zero in Moghul India: government itself carried out productive
investment in railways and irrigation and as a result there was a growth in both agricultural and
industrial output. The new Indian elite established a Western life-style using the English language
and English schools. New towns and urban services were created with segregated suburbs and
housing for them. Their habits were copied by the new professional elite of lawyers, doctors,
teachers, journalists, and businessmen. Within this group, old caste barriers were eased and social
mobility increased.
As far as the mass of the population were concerned, colonial rule brought few significant changes.
The British education effort was very limited. There were no major changes in village society, in the
caste system, the position of untouchables, the joint family system, or in production techniques in
agriculture.
British impact on economic and social development was, therefore, limited. Total output and
population increased substantially but the gain in each persons output was small or negligible.
— From “The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India” by Angus Maddison, 1971
____1. According to Maddison, in which two areas were the British an improvement over their
Mughal predecessors?
a. the economy and education
b. urbanization and social reform
c. government efficiency and investment
d. population and economic growth
____ 2. How did British policies create a new social class in India?
a. Improved government efficiency changed the patterns of consumption among India’s upper
classes
b. Government investments increased production, which led to population growth
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c. The growth of urban areas led to segregated housing for the Indian elite
d. The introduction of Western-style education led to the development of a professional elite
3. Compare Points of View — On which points does Maddison’s except agree with the list of
benefits cited by Dadabhai Naoroji (previous document)? On which points do they differ?
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Document 5: Imports and Exports in British India
Introduction
The British recorded the value of goods imported to, and exported from, India. The charts below
show the value of merchandise imported and exported in India’s trade with foreign countries. In the
first decades of its rule, the British calculated values in British pounds. Between 1875 and 1880,
however, they changed their system and began calculating values in tens of rupees, the Indian
currency.
Primary Source
____ 1. Based on the data in the graphs, which statement is true?
a. India’s imports and exports were balanced
b. India imported more than it exported
c. India’s imports and exports were moving in opposites directions
d. India exported more than it imported
____ 2. According to the data in the graphs, in which years did India’s exports fail?
a. between 1865 and 1870 and between 1895 and 1900
b. between 1865 and 1870 and between 1890 and 1895
c. between 1860 and 1865 and between 1890 and 1895
d. between 1870 and 1875 and between 1895 and 1900
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3. Draw Conclusions — Based on the data in this graph, what conclusion can you draw about the
effect of British rule on India’s economy? Support your viewpoint with evidence.
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Document 6: Living in the British Empire
Introduction
In its case study “Living in the British Empire,” the National Archives of the United Kingdom
examines the effects of British rule in various British colonies. This excerpt summarizes the impact of
British rule in India
Primary Source
Some recent research suggests that British rule did little for India in economic terms. Britain gained
hugely from ruling India, but most of the wealth created was not invested back into the country. For
example, from 1860 to about 1920, economic growth in India was very slow — much slower than in
British or America. India’s population only grew by 1% per year, which also suggests there was not
much economic growth. India actually started importing food under British rule, because Indians
were growing “cash crops” like cotton and tea to be sent to Britain.
It is extremely important not to forget the terrible famines that devastated India. These were partly
the result of weather but partly caused by British policies. Food shortages came about because
Indians were growing cash crops. When famine struck in 1876-77 and 1899-1900 the British system
of government was completely overwhelmed and could not organize a big enough relief effort. As
well as these massive famines, there were many other smaller, more localized famines.
On the other hand, research suggests that from about 1870 to 1930 Britain took about 1% of India’s
wealth per year…The British invested about 400 million Lira in the same period. They brought in an
irrigation program, which increased the amount of land available for farming by 8 times. They
developed a coal industry, which had not existed before. Public health and life expectancy
increased under British rule, mainly due to improved water supplies and the introduction of quinine
treatment against malaria.
Big landowners, Indian princes, the Indian middle classes all gained in terms of job opportunities,
business opportunities and careers in areas like the law. Ordinary Indians gained little but the
argument still continues about whether British rule made much difference to their lives.
— From “Living in the British Empire: India” by Ben Walsh
____ 1. According to the case study, why did British India experience famine?
a. Economic growth slowed, forcing India to import food
b. Weather and British cash crop policies created food shortages
c. Irrigation led to an eight-fold increase in the amount of farmland
d. Britain did not re-invest India’s wealth back into the country
____ 2. In the third paragraph of the excerpt, what does the author suggest about the British?
a. They took more from India than they gave
b. They instituted policies that helped India’s population to grow
c. They gave as much as, or more than, they took from India
d. They were unprepared for the consequences of their policies
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3. Identify Cause and Effect — According to this secondary source, how did British rule help India?
How did it hurt India?
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CRITERIA EXCELLENT ACCEPTABLE MINIMAL UNACCEPTABLE
Scope – Thoroughly
addresses all
aspects of the task
by accurately
analyzing and
interpreting at least
three documents
– Addresses all
aspects of the task
by accurately
analyzing and
interpreting at least
three documents
– Addresses most
aspects of the task
or addresses all
aspects of the task
in a limited way,
using some of the
documents
– Shows limited
understanding of
the task with
vague, unclear
references to the
documents
Content – Incorporates
information from
the documents in
the body of the
essay
– Incorporates
relevant outside
information
– Richly supports the
theme or problem
with relevant facts,
examples, and
details
– Incorporates
information from
the documents in
the body of the
essay
– Incorporates
relevant outside
information
– Includes relevant
facts, examples,
and details, but
discussion may be
more descriptive
than analytical
– Incorporates some
information from
the documents in
the body of the
essay
– Incorporates
limited or no
relevant outside
information
– Includes some
facts, examples,
and details, but
discussion is more
descriptive than
analytical
– Presents no
relevant outside
information
– Includes little or no
accurate or relevant
facts, details or
examples
Writing – Is a well-developed
essay, consistently
demonstrating a
logical and clear
plan organization
– Is a well-developed
essay, demonstrating
a logical and clear
plan of organization
– Is a satisfactorily
developed essay
demonstrating a
general plan of
organization
– Fails to introduce
or summarize the
theme or problem
Structure – Introduces the
theme or problem
by establishing a
framework that is
beyond a simple
restatement of the
task or historical
context and
concludes with a
summation of the
theme or problem
– Introduces the
theme or problem
by establishing a
framework that is
beyond a simple
restatement of the
task or historical
context and
concludes with a
summation of the
theme or problem
– Introduces the
theme or problem
by repeating the
task or historical
context and
concludes by
simply repeating
the theme of
problem
– Attempts to
complete the task,
but demonstrates a
major weakness in
organization, or
fails to complete
the task as
described