University:
Felician University
Course:
HIST-110 | World Geography and Culture
Academic year:

2020
Views:

278

Pages:

12
Author:

5CelestialChronicle

Roots of Imperialism IMPERIALISM = The domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or regions Western European Countries: Industrial Revolution led to economic & political power Started aggressive expansion called “New Imperialism” Beginning 1870s European countries brought much of world under their control : Political and Military British propaganda poster boasts that Africa would become a gold mine. Britain’s national pride and aggressive foreign policy came to be known as JINGOISM. What does this poster show about the British attitude toward Africa? Applying Social Darwinism The West believed that Europeans were racially superior Darwin’s ideas of natural selection and survival of the fittest – Europeans were “fitter” than others Believed Imperial domination of weaker races was nature’s way of improving the human species Millions of nonwesterners robbed of cultural heritage Excerpt from English writer, Rudyard Kipling’s 1899 poem. Kipling was born in India and his poem summarizes his view of the duties of superior nations (see pg 564) European nations had grown stronger in 1800s Ottoman Middle East, Mughal India, Qing China, and African States had all grown weaker Not strong enough to resist Western powers. WESTERN ADVANTAGES: Strong economies Well organized governments Powerful military Superior technology: Riverboats Telegraph Improved medical knowledge – help Europeans survive deadly tropical diseases Machine guns Repeating rifles Steam warships Maxim Machine Gun Quinine for Malaria Africans & Asians strongly resisted Western expansion Even w/ few weapons Western educated Africans & Asians organized nationalist movements to expel imperialists In West – small group of antiimperialists emerged Believed Imperialism was tool of rich & immoral Democracy at home, but not for other peoples? French used direct rule Sent officials & military from France to administer colonies Goal :  Impose French culture on colonies  Turn them into French provinces Military force if threatened FORMS of IMPERIAL RULE FORMS of IMPERIAL RULE British used indirect rule Used sultans , chiefs & local rulers Encouraged ruling class children to get education “groomed” new generation of “westernized” leaders Spread British civilization Military force if threatened PROTECTORATE = local rulers were left in place but were expected to follow the advice of European advisors on issues such as trade or missionary activity Cost less to run than a colony did Usually did not require a large commitment of military forces SSPHERES OF INFLUENCE = An area in which an outside power claimed exclusive investment or trading privileges Europeans carved out these spheres in China, Africa, India…..