Chapter 12The New Imperialism

Imperialism:

domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country, or region.

Motives of the New ImperialismEconomic interestsPolitical/Military interestsHumanitarian/religious goalsSocial Darwinism – European races believed they were superior to all others & imperial conquest/destruction of weaker races was nature’s way of improving the human species

Forms of Imperial Control

1.) Colonies-imperial powers set up a colonial bureaucracy w/ their own officials to rule & transform local society

Forms of Imperial Control

2.) Protectorates – local leaders left in place, but they were expected to follow advice of European advisors(advantage-cost less to run colony)

3.) Sphere of Influence - an area in which an outside power claimed exclusive trading and investment rights

Forms of Imperial Control

Direct Rule-officials from imperial power ruled locals directly

Indirect Rule – used local leaders as their agents in governing their colonies (Britain)

African Imperialism

Belgium Exploitation: The Congo

The Belgians (Dutch) exploited the land & people to become wealthy in ivory & rubber trade

6 million Africans died during the rubber trade

Many forced to be carriers for people on jungle expeditions

Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness – literary work by Joseph Conrad about imperialism in the Congo

Themes include ruthless exploitation, colonization, Euro-centrism

Berlin Conference: 18841884 – Euro. nations met @ international conference in Berlin to carve up Africa – no Africans were invited

Euro. Powers recog. Leopold’s claims to the Congo

Euro. Nations agreed no nation could claim any part of Africa w/out setting up gov. office there

Map of Africa redrawn

French Expansion in Africa

France took largest portion of Africa – mainly in West/No. & Central Africa

Invaded/conquered Algeria in 1830s; cost many Algerian lives

At its height, the French Empire in Africa was as large as the United States

British Expansion in Africa

Brits share of Africa = smaller, but more heavily populated w/ rich resources

West/East Africa – Egypt, Sudan, So. Africa (Cape Colony)

Brits set up racial segregation that lasted until 1993

Africans Resist Imperialism

Algerians battled French, Brits battled Zulus, Germans fought in East Africa & used scorched earth policy

Successful resistance = Ethiopia under Menelik II

British Imperialism in India

The British Take over India by mid 1800s

The East India Co.-obtained trading rights on the West side of India in 1600’s-by mid-1800’s it controlled 3/5ths of India

The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire