Imperialism (1800-1914)
Chapter 21 Sections 1-3
What is imperialism?What is imperialism?
The extension of a nation’s power over other lands Goal is to extend the nation’s power and dominate world
politics and economicsWhy did imperialism increase after 1880?
Wanted more markets and raw materials for their industries and direct control of these areas
Gain advantage, politically and economically, over rivals
Racism and Social DarwinismReligious motives – responsibility to civilize primitive
people
Imperialism in Southeast AsiaBy 1900, Southeast Asia was almost entirely
run by Western countriesGreat Britain
Founded colony of Singapore in 1819 Became a major trade port
Expanded west to protect possessions in India and to create trade route through southern China Takes control over Burma
British Colonial Empire
Imperialism in Southeast AsiaFrance
France has missionaries in Vietnam Alarmed by Britain’s move to monopolize trade To stop British from moving into Vietnam, forced
Vietnamese to accept French protectionVietnam becomes a French protectorate
A political unit that depends on another government for its protection
Extends control to Cambodia and LaosThailand (Siam) remains free
Imperialism in Southeast AsiaUnited States
Spanish-American War (1898) President McKinley believed it was his moral
obligation to civilize other parts of the world Philippines becomes an American colony
United States
France
Ruling the ColoniesGoverned by either direct rule or indirect
ruleIndirect rule – Local rulers are allowed to
maintain their positions of authority and statues Lower cost of government Less effect on local culture
Direct rule – Local elites are removed from power and replaced by a new set of rulers brought from the mother country Used when local officials resisted the foreign
conquest
Colonial EconomiesColonial powers didn’t want colonists
developing their own industriesStressed the export of raw materials
Workers’ wages kept low on plantations to increase owner’s profitsThousands died due to unhealthy conditions
Colonial rule did bring some benefitsBuilt railroads, highwaysCreation of an entrepreneurial class in colonies
Some wealth in colonies develops
Resistance to Colonial RuleInitial resistance comes from ruling class of
colonial countryPeasant revolts to resist being driven off their
landsThese movements initially fail
Beginning of 1900s a new resistance, based on nationalism, is more successful Begin trying to protect culture, interests of natives Later demand independence – 1930s
Empire Building in AfricaBetween 1880 and 1900, Africa becomes
dominated by European ruleWest Africa
Dominated by slave trade, but declines in the 1800s Slave trade illegal in United States and Britain
(1808)Growing European presence due to natural
resources Peanuts, timber, hides, palm oil
France controls much of West Africa
Empire Building in AfricaNorth Africa
Egyptians seeking independenceEuropeans want to build a canal to connect the
Mediterranean and Red Seas French sign a contract to build the Suez Canal
After canal is built, Britain takes an interest Saw is as their “lifeline to India” Britain eventually dominates North Africa
Empire Building in AfricaCentral Africa
Belgium dominates Central AfricaEast Africa
Britain and Germany are rivals in East Africa Berlin Conference allows both to stay – no African
delegates were presentSouth Africa
Area of largest population of white Europeans Dutch (aka Boers) and British dominate, battle with
Zulu British battle with Dutch and Zulu, win and create an
independent Union of South Africa
Colonial Rule in AfricaBy 1914, only independent African countries
were Liberia and EthiopiaMost European governments ruled with
indirect ruleBritain used this in most areas, while other
nations used a form of direct rule
Rise of African NationalismNew class of leaders emerges in Africa in
1900sEducated in colonial schools or Western
countriesEager to introduce Western ideas and
institutionsResented foreigners and their arrogance
Recognized gap between theory and practice in colonial policies of democracy and equality
Europeans express superiority in many waysSegregated facilitiesLower salaries for Africans than Europeans in
same jobs
Sepoy MutinyBritish East India Company had its own
soldiers, but also hired sepoys, Indian soldiers, to protect the company’s interests in the regions
1857 – growing distrust of British led to a revoltImmediate cause was a rumor about new
bullets Sepoys refused to use them and were arrested Sepoys went on a rampage and killed 50 Europeans
Revolt spread quickly, casualties high on both sides
Parliament transferred power to British governmentPeople of India were now colonial subjects
British Colonial Rule in IndiaBritish government ruled India directly through a
viceroy, a governor who rules as the representative of a monarch
Benefits of British ruleBrought order and stability to a country dividedNew school system was set upIntroduced railroads, telegraph, postal service
Costs of British ruleBritish manufactured goods destroyed local industryForced farmers to grow cotton rather than food,
decreasing the food supplyDisrespect for Indian culture
Indian Nationalist MovementFirst Indian nationalists were upper class and
English-educatedPushed for reform first, but it was too slow-
moving, so turned to revolutionIndian National Congress (INC)
Worked toward independence for all IndiansStill not very successful
Mahandas Ghandi brings new life to struggle for independenceMovement based on nonviolent resistance would
eventually bring independence to India
Imperialism