The very basic concept of Western civilization was extended to the peoples. A transformation from straw huts to apartment high-rises was witnessed in Indian and African colonies.
Negative aspects of imperialism surfaced, however. The British industrial and trading sectors exploited many of the workers that collected the raw materials needed for Britain's industrial machine. The people themselves, whenever they rose up in a revolt, were put down in a quick fashion. One such example of this oppression can be seen in the Opium Wars in China. The Boxer Rebellion led to a mass military effort to secure trade of opium in the Far East. The demand for any raw materials ultimately led to an incursion of debt as a result of a mercantilist mindset. Britain would buy cheap materials from the colonies, produce expensive finished goods, and sell them back to their colonies. An incursion of debt is assumed by the colonies, making them fall deeper into the obligation to Britain.
Two primary examples of British imperialism come from opposite ends of the globe: India and America. In 1786, Lord Cornwallis became British governor of India. He strengthened the armies that the East India Company had raised. Also, under Cornwallis and his successor Lord Wellesley, the British slowly expanded their holdings. In 1813, the monopoly of the English East India Company was broken and all British citizens were allowed to trade with India. Over the next 30 years, the British continued to acquire new lands and strengthen their grip on those already under their rule.
On August 2, 1858, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act. This act transferred authority for India from the East India Company to Queen Victoria. In 1876, Queen Victoria declared herself "Empress of India." The stability of an Indian territory would only last a short time, however.
On April 13, 1919, around 20 thousand unarmed men, women, and children gathered in a public square in Punjab's capital to protest these acts.