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The Crown Jewel
The phrase Jewel in the Crown was used as India being the most prized possession of the British. During the British Raj, India was considered the jewel in the crown of the British Empire due to the many amounts of resources, strategic location, and economic potential. The phrase emphazises how benefial India was for Britain.

British India

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To this day, when India is referred to as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire, a preponderance of people tend to assume that this historic title owes its origins to India's vast and extensive wealth from when the British first set foot in India. However, contrary to popular belief, India was considered a priceless colony, not only because of the immense wealth and its then flourishing economy but also due to a number of other factors that made India important to the administration.

The most predominant cause of British dependence on India, many historians tend to argue is India's extensive involvement and contribution militarily to the Empire. Having a massive youth population at the time and strong leadership, the British were then attempting to make the most of the resources available to them from their colonies. India served as the perfect resource as the concept of "soldiering" in India was one that was greatly respected and coveted. Long before the Second World War, the British had begun capitalising on this strength; India had established its vital role in supporting the British Empire with their immense manpower during the innumerous wars and conflicts fought by the British. In a matter of just years, India's army size and manpower for the British grew from approximately 170,000 soldiers to an astounding 2.5 million soldiers as Britain declared war against Germany assuming India's involvement in World War II. These massive numbers of Indian soldiers over time had been assigned to different parts of the world, a large majority of them being in East Africa (1916), Baghdad (1917), Palestine (1918) and Gallipoli (1915). In short, Indian troops helped the British annexe, maintain and control their colonies.

Another of the primary reasons for India being of paramount importance to Britain was its strategic location. Post "The American Revolution", India became the strategically located colony, granting access to many parts of the world. During the period of the colonisation of India, under the British, its importance not only extended to resources but also to administrative purposes. Located centrally in the British Sub-imperial system, consisting of several countries such as East Africa, Iran and Turkey, the British viewed India as a strategically placed country. India, for a long time post colonisation, served as the unofficial post for British administration from where some of the British colonies were controlled (directly and indirectly). Countries such as Myanmar were directly controlled and administered from New Delhi, until as late as the year 1937. Additionally, India heightened Britain's economic interest. The region was a major supplier of raw materials for trade and industry in Britain and also a market for goods produced there. Cotton, pepper, spices and porcelain were exported in large quantities. It was lucrative on all accounts with India supplying its valuable natural resources to aid British trade and the proceeds filling Britain's coffers.

India's christening also owed its origin to another predominant reason. One of India's greatest contributions to the British Empire was its ability to cater to the administration's requirement for indentured labour. Reducing a large part of the country to illiteracy, with only a 12% literacy rate by 1947, India's minorities and poor classes (a large part of the population at the time), were for a lack of better knowledge, opportunity and money forced in large numbers into the field of indentured labour. Indentured labour also known commonly as indentured servitude was "a system of bonded labour that was instituted following the abolition of slavery. Indentured labour were recruited to work on sugar, cotton, tea plantations, and rail construction projects in British colonies". India's largely illiterate population made it a target for this sort of labour by the British and were sent to various parts of the world such as Africa and Burma; in fact, as early as the year 1882, long before the First and Second World War, the British statesman Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, commonly referred to as Lord Salisbury stated that India's involvement and importance in the gathering of indentured labour was like "An English barrack in the Oriental seas from which we (the British) may draw any number of troops without having to pay for them" (1882).

India's contributions to the British were also considered to be invaluable for several other reasons; these meeker factors included its vast textile industry before the British colonisation, which historians point out was undoubtedly the largest in the world at the time. On one occasion, when the philosopher Karl Marx visited India, he described the textile industry by saying "The hand-loom and the spinning-wheel, producing their regular myriads of spinners and weavers, were the pivots of the structure of that society,". Such was the extent of India's economic reliance on the textile industry that was for a large part exploited by the British. Other industries such as the silk industry were also reduced and exploited for gain massively by the British.

Lord Randolf Churchill, a British journalist and the father of Winston Churchill once said "The loss of India would mark and consummate the downfall of the British Empire... From such a catastrophe there could be no recovery". In retrospect, it is evident why the British relied so heavily on India during the period of colonisation and the two World Wars. India does indeed appear to have been Britain's "crowning glory".
Citations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/gcse-history-why-was-india-so-valuable-to-the-british-Eempire/zv2rwty#:~:text=India%20was%20the%20jewel%20in,backbone%20of%20their%20military%20power. https://www.britannica.com/event/British-raj https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/5-Ways-the-British-Empire-Ruthlessly-Exploited-India-20170425-0033.html https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1263440 http://indiafacts.org/british-destroyed-indian-textile-industry/

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To this day, when India is referred to as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire, a preponderance of people tend to assume that this historic title owes its origins to India's vast and extensive wealth from when the British first set foot in India.

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British Raj
This was the British colonial rule in India, taken place from 1858-1947. This happened after the Sepoy Mutiny, you can find that on this map. During the British Raj, India experienced significant political, economic, and social changes. The British wanted to modernize India by installing railways, better education, telegraph systems etc. but they also wanted to discriminate and exploit India for their own benefit.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/British_Raj

India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

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RussoJapaneseWar
This war was caused between the conflict of Manchuria and Korea. Japan, wanting to expand their influence, launched a surprise attack on the Russian naval base. This began on 1904 and ended a year later, leaving Japan victorious. It was a plot twist for Asia for it never defeated European power before. Not only did they win but they agreed to sign on the Treaty of Portsmouth, making Japan a major world power.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Russo-Japanese-War

Manchuria, Yellow Sea, Korean Peninsula

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The War & Its Effects
The war between Spain and the United States started in 1898. It began over the treatment of Cubans by the Spain rule. And the United States supported this riot, this led to the cooperation between the US and Cuba to declare war on Spain. The war lasted for about four months and ended with the US expanding their land beyond its borders, taking control of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Spain was defeated, leaving it's colonial empire and global influence.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Spanish-American-War

Cuba, Puerto Rico

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America wants Pacific Islands
In the early 20th century, the US locked their eyes on these islands for a few reasons. The main reason was strategic miltary postioning. They wanted to establish naval bases and coaling stations in the Pacific to maintain a strong presence in the region and for trade to become safer. Another reason was economic expansion. These islands had sugar, minerals, wood, and more for the US to take control over.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/pacific-expansion

Samoa, Hawaii, Philippines

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The Indian National Congress: Foundation and Causes ~

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The Indian National Congress: Foundation and Causes ~

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The Indian National Congress
This congress was founded in 1885 to fight for India's independence from the British. The foundation was caused by people wanting to have a voice in how their country was governed and wanted fair treatment, no longer to be exploited by the British. It brought many different people around India and they worked together to protest. Luckily, the succeeded and in 1947, they gained their independence.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indian-National-Congress

Nagpur, India

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British Library, Euston Road, London, UK

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Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration was a letter sent in 1917 by Arthor Balfour, a british secretary. Inside of the letter was support for making Palestine an official home for jewish people. For the Jewish community, they saw this as a huge improvement for it gave them more land and people to immigrate into. However, the Arab population in Palestine were not happy at all, it caused tensions between them. They felt that their rights were being ignored and this lead to conflicts between the two big religions.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Balfour-Declaration

British Library, United Kingdom

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Salt March
The Salt March/Salt Satyagraha was a nonviolent protest for India's struggle for independence from British rule. This was led by Mahatma Gandhi. This march got it's name due to the reason why they were protesting, the British salt monopoly in 1930. The march began with a group of people walking over 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. People would join the march and gained attention from all of this. They found a way around the salt monopoly, making their own salt from seawater. This act of civil disovedience inspired many across india to join the movement for independence.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Salt-March

Gujarat, India

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Opium Wars
The Opium Wars were a series of conflicts between China and Western powers in the mid-19th century. The wars were primarily fought between China and Britain with other powers from the west would join in. This event was caused from the trade of opium, it's a drug. It was being smuggled into China by British merchants. The chinese government was concerned about the devastating effects of opium addiction and tried to put an end to it. After years of battling, the british were able to defeat the chinese and force China to sign unequal treatied that granted western powers significant economic and territorial benefits.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Opium-Wars

Guangzhou, China

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Boxer Rebellion
This took place in China from 1899 to 1901. It was a rebellion against foreign influence and imperialism in China. The Boxers, a secret society known as the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists began this battle. They believed that their martial arts skill made them invulnerable to bullets. The war began with attacks on foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians, this rapidly led to a full-scale conflict. The Boxers fled to Beijing which led to an internation coalition of forces coming to their rescue. Eventually, the rebellion ended once the Boxers were defeated.

https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/boxer-rebellion

China, North China, and South China

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The Panama Canal
This canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Construction of the canal began in 1904 and was completed in 1914, it required labor of thousands of workers including engineers and skilled craftsmen. It was had a very huge impact on global trade and travel time. It was originally owned by the US but gave control to Panama on December 31, 1999. Panama still continues to hold responsible for the canal.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/panama-canal

Isthmus of Panama, Panama

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The Sepoy Mutiny
Also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was an uprising against British rule in India. It began for many reasons such as religion, economy, use of Indian soldiers, etc. The rebellion spread across northern and central India, with both civilians and soldiers joining to fight for their independence. Sadly, the Sepoy Mutiny was suppressed by the British. They regained control and maintained their rule over India.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Indian-Mutiny

Meerut, India

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East India Company
This company was a trading post formed in the 17th century. It was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I to trade with East Indies (south asia and southeast asia). It was originally just made for trade and focused on that until it gained political and military power. They became the the main ruler of large parts of India. It had its own army and made its own currency. The company's influence in India lasted until 1858 when the British government took control over the country.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/East-India-Company

Leadenhall Street, United Kingdom

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The Suez Canal
The canal was built to create a shorter route between Europe and Asia, specifically connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It was built during the mid-19th century and opened in 1869. It was led by de Lesseps, they maintained the infrastructure, collected tolls from ships and ensured the smooth flow of traffic. He was a really good owner for this canal. Sooner or later, the control and ownership of the canal changed, giving it to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1956.

https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/About/SuezCanal/Pages/CanalHistory.aspx

Isthmus of Suez, Abu Suwir, Egypt

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The Berlin Conference
It took place on November 15, 1884-1885. It was organized by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal to discuss and establish rules for the colonization and division of Africa. The image above is a good representation of what happened during the conference. They all came together, carving up africa and distributing the pieces of land without any consideration of the people occupying it. This meeting was meant to share the continent without having to battle over what pieces they got.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Berlin-West-Africa-Conference

Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin, Germany

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King Leopold II
He was the King of Belgium from 1865-1909. He is well-known for his involvement in the colonization of the Congo that was used for his own personal property rather than Belguims. Leopold II exploited the Congo for its rubber, ivory, etc. by using horrible and exploitative methods. Under his control, the Congolese people suffered extremely due to the forced labor, violence, and all the horrible events caused by Leopold II. This emphazied the consequences of unchecked colonialism.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leopold-II-king-of-Belgium

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa

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Cecil Rhodes

He was a British businessman and politician who would impact South Africa in the 19th century. He was a key figure in the diamond and gold mining industries, gaining wealth and power. Rhodes was also an advocate of British imperialism and believed in the expansion of the British Empire. Although he lived in Africa, he still became a major role in shaping the political and economic landscape of southern Africa for the British.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cecil-Rhodes

Zimbabwe and Zambia, South Africa

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~ The South African/Boer War 1 & 2 ~

A conflict that took place in different places in South Africa from 1899-1902. It was a battle between the British Empire and the Boer states. The Boer's were made up of decendants of Dutch settlers. This war blossomed from the tensions over British imperialism and control of the region's gold and diamond resources. This led to government changes in South Africa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Boer_War

Orange Free State, South Africa

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The Zulu Wars
These were a series of conflicts that took place in the 19th century in South Africa between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. They had many battles such as, "The Battle of Isandlwana" and "The Battle of Rocke's Drift". The wars began when the king of the Zulu Kingdom fiercely resisted British colonization and expansion.

https://www.anglozuluwar.com/about-the-anglo-zulu-war-of-1879/

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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The Congo Trail, Guanacaste Province, Nuevo Colón, Costa Rica

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Cape of Good Hope, Cape Peninsula, Cape Town, South Africa

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~ Afrikaners ~

They were a group of people who decended from Dutch settlers in South Africa. They developed their own langiage, Afrikaans. This was a mixture of Dutch, Malay and indigenious African languages. The Afrikaners had a big impact on South Africa during the apartheid era. They enforced racial segregation and discrimation, it was a mixture between supporters and strikers when it came to apartheid.

http://orvillejenkins.com/profiles/afrikaner.html

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

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Sold to the United States 7.2 Million or 2 cents an acre. Seen as a mistake, until Gold was found. Russia wanted to sell it to someone who could stand against Great Britain. It was rich in furs for the Russians, but hard to maintain so far away. They soon nearly wiped out the sea otter population. Russia needed the money after losing several wars.

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Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Set 72157681852037362, ID 13972186306, Original title Colton's map of the territory of Alaska : (Russian America) ceded by Russia to the United States

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Colton's map of the territory of Alaska - (Russian America) ceded by Russia to the United States (13972186306).jpg

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Original file ‎(2,000 × 1,233 pixels, file size: 2.67 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. Date/Time Thumbnail Dimensions User Comment current 13:17, 26 July 2017 2,000 × 1,233 (2.67 MB) Fæ Norman B.

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The Empire period last from 1721 to 1917. Led by the Romanov family, the last absolute monarchs until the fall.

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Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
The invastion happen between years 1935-1936. The Italians were led by Mussolini with the goal to invade Ethiopia, the few remaining African countires that remained independent. The Italian forces used advanced weaponry and tactics in order to make this invasion successful. They gradually gained control over the country, Ethiopia tried calling for help but no significant action was taken. At the end, Italy declared Ethiopia as part of its East African Empire.

https://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/ink/italy/fitalyethiopia1935.htm

Ethiopia, Ethiopian Empire