Question

Critically analyze how did the american civil war affect the lives of ryots in india

Answer 1

Answer:

The American Civil War affected the lives of ryots in following way :

(a) Britain was heavily dependent on America for its supply of raw cotton. To reduce this dependency they were always on the lookout for alternative sources of supply.

(b) For this purpose they established the Cotton Supply Association in 1857 and the Manchester Cotton Company in 1859. The objective of both was to encourage cotton production in all parts of the world especially India.

(c) When the American Civil War broke out, supply of cotton to Britain drastically dropped. Frantic attempts were made to increase cotton exports to Britain.

(d) These developments had a major impact on the peasants in the Deccan who suddenly had access to limitless credit. Rs. 100 was given as advance for every acre planted with cotton. However while rich peasants benefitted by these developments for the large majority, cotton expansion meant heavier debt.

(e) However when the Civil War ended, exports of Indian cotton declined and cotton prices dropped. The moneylenders began to restrict advances to peasants and demanded repayment of outstanding debts. At the same time the revenue demand increased. When the peasants once again turned to the moneylender, he refused to give them loans. This was because he did not have the confidence in the peasants’ ability to repay. This enraged the impoverished peasants and fuelled the outbreak of the peasant revolts in the Deccan.

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