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130 BCE
Silk Road Routes
A network of trade routes that connected China and the Far East with the M.E. and Europe. Established when the Han Dynasty in China officially opened trade with the West in 130 BC, the routes remained in use until 1453 AD when the Ottoman Empire boycotted trade with China and closed them. Was a major connector in cultural and religious interactions for centuries. -
1275
Marco Polo
Marco Polo returned to Venice, again via the Silk Road routes, in 1295, just as the Mongolian Empire was in decline. His journeys across the Silk Road became the basis for his book, The Travels of Marco Polo, which gave Europeans a better understanding of Asian commerce and culture. -
1453
Fall of Constantinople
The closing of the Silk Road forced merchants to take to the sea thus initiating the Age of Discovery which led to world-wide interaction and the beginnings of a global community. Its closure would propel Europeans across the ocean to explore, and eventually conquer, the so-called New World of the Americans. In this way, the Silk Road can be said to have established the groundwork for the development of the modern world. -
English Royal Charter
The British East India Company was one of first joint-stock companies ever created (Elizabeth I). It gave GB a 21 year monopoly on all trade in India, going from a trading company to political power in India -
Battle of Plassey
The Battle of Plassey was a victory for the British East India Company. This was the start of nearly two centuries of British rule in India. The British had almost come to a stalemate with the Nawab of Bengal due to rain creating less effective weapons, but the British took the victory in the end. -
Indian Mutiny
This Indian rebellion came from discontent among the former rulers (Mughal officials & Indian rulers). It started in the army and spread through the general population, with the immediate cause being the issuance of new rifle cartridges. Some atrocities that came from it were: Wells of Cawnpore and Devil's Wind Consequences: most remained loyal to British, British government had to step in now, Anglicization was a mistake, end of Company Rule -
India Civil Service
The ICS was created to control the vast empire that was under British rule. The British continued to expand in their control through military force or threatened force. Local inhabitants began to be trained for these positions because there were not enough British citizens to govern the vast empire -
Formation of Indian National Congress
The goals of the Indian National Congress included Democracy, local self-rule, and the prevention of mass peasant uprising (like China) by keeping power centered on middle class leaders. -
Formation of Muslim League
The Muslim league protected the interests, liberties and rights of Muslims. Additionally, it promoted an understanding between the Muslim community and other Indians and discouraged violence. -
Period: to
WWI
Britain promised India self-rule if they help fight in WWI. Gandhi supported helping in the war in hopes of achieving self-rule for India.
When the war ended, Britain made a few reforms and refused to grant India self-government. -
Lucknow Pact
Proposed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Lucknow Pact asked for self-rule of India. Great Britain did not give this proposal a lot of thought because of WWI being a more important issue to them at the time. -
The Amritsar Massacre
General Dyer ordered his troops to attack innocent, peaceful protestors. This event changed the goals of the Indian National Congress and Muslim League, and many could no longer take the harsh ruling of the British. -
Quit India Speech
Gandhi responded to the Amritsar Massacre with this speech. Just some of it included that “Cooperation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful." He openly spoke of him wanting GB to leave India and this led to peaceful protests for their independence. -
Gandhi's Salt March
The British law claimed that the British had sole right to produce and sell salt in India. Gandhi did not like this claim. Him & 78 followers marched 240 miles to the sea. By the time he reached the sea, thousands of people had joined the march. Gandhi and others harvested salt from the sea and were arrested. Reporters around the world reported the incident. The event embarrassed the British government who prided themselves on their democratic traditions
The march was 23 days long.
