IMPERIALISM World History Imperialism  “When a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries or territories” Control over: Economy Politics Society (social issues) Africa in the early 1800’s  Hundreds of ethnic groups and over 1,000 languages  Traditional beliefs and religions  Society: Large empires to small villages   Difficult environment with wild rivers and jungles Africans were experts at trading rare natural resources (gold-salt Sahara; Swahili East Coast trade) Scramble for Africa   Main Idea: Europeans established colonies by ignoring the claims of African ethnic groups, kingdoms, and city-states. Why it matters now: African nations continue to feel the effects of the colonization more than 100 years later.  Scramble for Africa European countries grabbed colonies south of the Sahara local populations were enslaved, exploited, and sometimes exterminated. Video: http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid /9057CC88-0EDE-43C4-98DC-2B720A85BA1B How it all began…    “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary, traveled to promote Christianity in Africa and DISAPPEARED! An American journalist, Henry Stanley was hired to find him and did! Made headlines and helped bring Africa’s undiscovered wealth to the attention of the world.  Stanley continued to explore on behalf of Belgium Motives behind Imperialism  1. Belief in European Superiority (racism!): non-Europeans were considered to be a “lesser race” No scientific and technological progress Social Darwinism- humans/societies who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and success Thus, Europeans had a “obligation” to better these “lesser races”. An example…. I contend that we [Britons] are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race. … It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honorable race the world possesses. — Cecil Rhodes, Confession of Faith, 1887 1 – Is Cecil Rhodes in favor of or opposed to imperialism, and what rationale (reason) does he give for his stance? 2 – What one idea does Rhodes think Great Britain should be focused on? Motives behind Imperialism  2. Economic Competition—need for natural resources and new markets to feed the expanding Industrial Revolution  Rubber, Ivory, lumber, etc.  Forced Africans to grow cash crops; causes food shortages.  3. Missionary Spirit—a divine duty spread Christianity to those still practicing indigenous beliefs Motives behind Imperialism  4. Nationalism- to gain power and prestige for their country, Europeans sought to acquire colonies.  Famous political cartoon of Cecil Rhodes. Factors that made Imperialism successful 1. 2. 3. 4. Steam engines on boats and trains—Europeans can travel throughout the continent. Telegraph—Europeans could communicate with homeland Use of quinine helped protect Europeans from malaria Advanced weaponry=European military dominance over Africans Maxim Gun—first automatic machine gun Factors that made Imperialism successful 5. 6. Diversity of languages & cultures discouraged African unity History of conflict between tribes Europeans take advantage of these vulnerabilities Berlin Conference (1884-85) Berlin Conference (1884-85)    14 European countries meet and decide that each must publically claim land in order to control it No African ruler was invited Created tensions among Africans that would EXPLODE once these countries gained independence in the 20th century Resistance to Imperialism  Africans fight colonization  Zulu nation’s highly centralized state nearly defeats English army  Ethiopia defeats Italy and remains free. Systems of Imperial Control    COLONY: A COUNTRY OR TERRITORY GOVERNED BY A FOREIGN POWER (EX: THE BRITISH IN INDIA) SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: A REGION IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WHERE ANOTHER NATION CLAIMS EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC RIGHTS (EX. = BRITISH IN AREAS OF CHINA) ECONOMIC IMPERIALISM: A COUNTRY CONTROLLED BY A PRIVATE BUSINESS FOR ECONOMIC GAIN (EX: BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY) British Imperialism in India   Seeking spices and profit, England establishes trading posts in India in the 1600’s. British East India Company is allowed to increase territory and govern the entire colony. India becomes the “Jewel of the Crown”—the most valuable of all colonies  serves crucial role as supplier of raw materials and market for British goods Sepoy Mutiny (1857)  Sepoy soldiers (Indians) –BEIC army led by British officers.  Sepoy rebel against the British   Cartridges of new rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. (ends must be bitten off to be used) Muslims and Hindus refuse to use them  BEIC handled situation badly, but still won.  British gov’t takes over rule in 1858 from BEIC  This is a turning point in Indian history Legacy of British rule in India  Positive:  Infrastructure like railroads, roads, dams, bridges  Schools and hospitals  Made country safer  Negative:  India lost political and economic power  Famine: British pushed cash crops, not food  Racism: Indians treated as 2nd class citizens Asia in Isolation    Since the Great Wall, China and Japan practiced a policy of isolationism (policy avoiding political and military involvement with other countries) China was self-sufficient; they needed nothing from the outside world Unable to trade traditional goods, the British introduced Opium (a highly addictive drug) to Chinese markets.  By 1835, 12 million Chinese are addicted Opium War (1839)   Chinese Emperor is concerned/angry that the addictions have harmed his subjects  British keep selling Opium, leading to war. British win, leading to Treaty of Nanjing  British gain island of Hong Kong  Foreigners gain freedom from Chinese law in spheres of influence. Taiping Rebellion 1850’s-1864    Chinese population growth exceeds food supply causing famine (leads to increase in opium addiction) A peasant begins a rebellion (million-man army) They control SE China. British, French, and Chinese Emperor’s troops put down rebellion at great cost (20 million dead Chinese)  Why? Foreign Influence    China realizes it needs to Westernize, but it is unsuccessful. Foreign powers take advantage of internal conflict and force China into accepting unequal trade policies Open Door Policy (1899): U.S. proposal that China be open to trading by all countries and would not be colonized  weakens idea of “spheres of influence” Boxer Rebellion (1900)     Ordinary Chinese feel humiliated Push for reforms leads to a secret society (Society of Righteous & Harmonious Fists) Starts wide-spread revolt against Empress and all foreigners; defeated by a multi-national force Chinese nationalism surges after Boxer Rebellion and carries on into early 1900’s

Hist Imperialism Slides

Related Documents

Recommended Documents

Description

Related Documents

Free up your schedule!

Take 5 seconds to unlock