The European powers gained significant control over their colonial holdings by, first, becoming the dominate merchants. India had valuable resources that could be exploited and traded. The French also sought this merchandize and trade routes causing the British to eliminate the competition. In 1756, Robert Clive ousted the Nawab and their French allies. Bengal became a stronghold for the British. The wealth acquired at Bengal financed further conquests of Indian principalities. By 1806, “the Maratha states accepted British overlordship…(as) they preferred to have rulers far away in London rather than dangerously close.”¹
“The Spaniards had used the wealth and manpower of the formerly Aztec-dominated highlands of Mexico to conquer the surrounding regions.”¹ Along with the Americas, they laid claim to the Philippines. Again using force, they crushed rebellions and drove out the British. The Dutch, meanwhile, laid claim Indonesia including Java by dividing authority among rival regents. Exhausting resources, the endeavor was not profitable and the Dutch focused and …show more content…
“The British first installed a puppet ruler in Bengal, then used the profits to confiscatory policies to conquer the Gangas River valley and the shore of the Bay of Bengal”¹ They employed a tactic that allowed the indigenous people to be subjugated by native rulers. These rulers stayed in line with the imperial rule. These puppet rulers allowed the indigenous people to feel comfortable with their government while outside interest used the revenue to expand their conquest for more land and resources to exploit. In the event that a rival began bargaining with Western merchants, the British employed tactics to monopolize the market thus leaving no room for substantial enterprise of the native people. The Dutch also implemented a puppet ruler but was met with protest as indigenous tribes resisted