European Imperialism

Imperialism defined: The extension of rule or influence by one government, nation, or society

over another.

crap

Darth VaderImperial Officer

Storm TrooperStorm Trooper

Established, Old World

Nations

Old World Military

Power and Technology

Old World Military

Power and Technology

Less Developed Nations (Africa, New World,

India, Pacific Islands)

crap

Imperialism: SubtypesSociologist Lewis Samuel Feuer identifies two major subtypes of imperialism:

Regressive Imperialism – Identified by pure conquest, total exploitation, extermination or reductions of undesired peoples, and settlement of desired peoples (colonization) into those territories

Progressive Imperialism – Promotes the spread of civilization to allegedly "backward" societies to elevate living standards and culture in conquered territories; allows conquered people to assimilate (blend into) into the imperial society

Major Political, Economic and Social

Motivations that Influenced European

Imperialism

Political MotivationNationalism – An extreme form of patriotism, marked by a

feeling of superiority over other countries

Nationalism leads to a desire for overseas colonies: The thought process among European nations was basically that the more territory your country controlled abroad, the more prestigious it was to be a citizen of that country.

Political MotivationBerlin Conference (1884-85) – A series of meetings held in Berlin, Germany among European leaders; regulated European colonization and trade in Africa by dividing the continent between 14 European nations. The conference formalized the “Scramble for Africa”

The Scramble for Africa – a process of invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers between 1881 and World War I in 1914. Europeans tried to justify their actions as “eliminating the threat of a Europe-wide war over Africa.”

Economic MotivationThe Triangle Trade and the later

Industrial Revolution led to a search for new markets and raw materials; rubber, palm oil and cocoa become cash crops in European

colonies.

Mining in diamonds, copper, gold, silver and tin from overseas colonies provided Europeans

with great wealth and greater incentive to maintain control there.

Potosi (Cerro Rico or “Rich Mountain”) is also known as “The Mountain That Eats Men Alive.”

It has been estimated that during the three centuries of Spanish rule in South America (1545

to 1825) as many as eight million Natives and Africans died in and around the Silver mines.

Economic MotivationSpanish Pieces of Eight (the

Spanish dollar) were gold and silver coins mined and minted in

the former Inca Empire and became the first worldwide

currency

The mint mark for the Potosi Mines in present-day Bolivia is also thought to be the origin of

the dollar sign.

Social Motivation• Advancements in technology led Europeans to develop racist attitudes as felt they were superior to others. (Europeans saw indigenous Africans and New World natives the same way) • White Man’s Burden – It was believed that it was the responsibility of Europeans to “civilize” non-Westerners.“the rich (whites) have a moral duty and obligation to help ‘the poor’ (coloreds) ‘better’ themselves whether the poor (coloreds) want the help or not.”

• Christian missionaries wanted to “civilize” non-westerners by forcing them to adopt their religions.

Major Characteristics of European Imperialism

CharacteristicsForms of Colonial Control

Colony – Governed internally by a foreign power -- Most government officials are brought in from the outside (Colonial governors, magistrates, etc.)

Protectorate – a country with its own internal government, but is controlled by an outside power-- The Greeks, Romans and Mongols all used this approach in ancient times and collected tribute from these leaders as a result

CharacteristicsForms of Colonial Control

Sphere of Influence – an area claimed by an outside power for exclusive investment and trading -- Mercantilism is an example; trade only occurs with the Mother Country (the country that set up the colony)

Economic Imperialism – Independent countries controlled by private interests-- The Dole Fruit Co. in Hawaii benefitted greatly from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii; the takeover was motivated by companies seeking to avoid high tariffs on Hawaiian goods

The Sun Never Sets on The British Empire – 1919

European ImperialismPatterns of

Management

Imperial Patterns of ManagementIndirect Control – Local government officials have limited self-rule, but laws are based on European styles and rules-- The British ruled its African and Indian colonies in this manner; colonies are basically protectorates; distance from the Mother Country is a factor as well

Direct Control – Exclusive use of foreign officials with no self-rule; Laws based only on European law; policies of assimilation (adopting the Mother Country’s culture) used to absorb local population into European culture-- The British attempted – unsuccessfully – to rule Northern Ireland in this manner since they were nearby

Resistance Movements against

European Imperialism

Resistance MovementsZulu Wars in South Africa (1879) – The British initiated and won a brief war against the Zulu Tribe; enacted indirect rule afterward

Algerian Resistance Movement (1954-1962) – The French win a military victory, but Algerians gain independence

Sepoy Rebellion in India (1857) – Sepoys (Indian soldiers) employed by the British East India Company rebel over religious issues; The British win a military victory and enact direct rule for the next 89 years

Resistance MovementsHo Chi Minh in French Indochina (1946-1954) – France, weakened by World War II, cannot contain a rebellion led by Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia all gain independence. Vietnam was split into North and South; sets stage for Vietnam War

Emilio Aguinaldo in the Philippines – Aguinaldo led a successful revolt against the Spanish (1896-1898) and a failed revolt against the U.S. (1899-1902). The U.S. controls the Philippines until 1946.

Negative Consequences of

European Imperialism

Negative ConsequencesNative people lose control of their lands and independence – In every case (America, Africa, India, etc.) the indigenous population is brushed aside by superior military technology and organization

New diseases like smallpox reduce native populations – Disease was an even bigger factor than military technology in the Native American loss of the New World

Negative ConsequencesResistance movements, famines resulting from shifts to cash crop production and harsh working conditions also reduce native populations – The devastation of the indigenous population caused by the Spanish conquest of the New World is one of history’s best examples

Problem of identity as Westerners view native cultures with contempt – Racism results as natives are seen as savage, uncivilized and uneducated by Europeans

Negative ConsequencesAreas stripped of natural resources – The Belgians, for example, stripped The Congo of copper, rubber and uranium while keeping the native population fighting against one another

Artificial boundaries either combine rival groups or divide kinship groups that create political problems in the former colonies – Divisions created in Africa within the native populations still have a negative impact on the continent today (civil wars, tribal wars, etc.)

“Positive” Consequences of

European Imperialism

“Positive” ConsequencesEuropean military presence reduces local warfare – Rivalries among native groups are controlled by the Mother Country’s military (conflict is bad for business)

Humanitarian efforts improve sanitation and education that leads to growth in life expectancy and literacy – Technology from the Mother Country leads to life improvements among the native population

“Positive” ConsequencesColonial land equipped with infrastructure to aid economic growth – More technology from the Mother Country results in improvements of basic physical systems, including roads, utilities, water, sewage, etc.

Products from colonies valued in the international market – The economic future of the colony improves, but the colony doesn’t really benefit because it’s not independent