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IMPERIALISM World History
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
Over 1,000 languages spoken
Most followed traditional beliefs and religions
Society: Large empires to small villages
Rivers were wild and difficult to navigate
Jungles were dense and made travel difficult
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 125 years later.
Scramble for Africa
European countries
colonized areas in
Africa south of the
Sahara
local populations
were enslaved,
exploited, and
sometimes
exterminated.
How it all began…
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
“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
Motives behind Imperialism
1. Belief in European Superiority (racism!)
Non-Europeans were considered to be a “lesser race” because they had not achieved European scientific and technological progress. This was a reflection of 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….don’t write this down
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, diamonds, etc.
Forced Africans to grow cash crops; causes food shortages.
Rubber 1st; DeBeers 2nd
https://youtu.be/CKq42J7SaWw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob6aN4uYKTw
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
Steam engines on boats and trains allowed Europeans
to travel throughout the continent.
Telegraph enabled colonizing Europeans to
communicate with homeland
Use of quinine helped protect Europeans from malaria
Advanced weaponry ensured military dominance over
Africans
Maxim Gun—first automatic machine gun
Diversity of cultures
discouraged African unity
History of conflict between
tribes
Europeans take advantage
of this vulnerability
African Imperialism:
https://youtu.be/OJe1W_H
IWmA
Factors that made Imperialism successful
Berlin Conference (1884-85)
Berlin Conference (1884-85)
To avoid wars between European countries over territory in Africa…
14 European countries meet to discuss rules for division.
Countries must publicly claim land and prove ability to control it (ex: military & infrastructure in place)
No African ruler was invited
No attention was given to ethnic or linguistic divisions
Created indigenous tensions that would EXPLODE once the countries gained independence in the 20th century.
https://youtu.be/FTjBNppdk-M
Resistance to Imperialism
Despite Eur. advantages, Africans fight colonization
Zulu nation’s highly centralized state nearly defeats
English army
Boer War (1899-1902)—Long established Dutch
Farmers pushed out of South Africa by British. Later
fight back in a bloody “total” war. Dutch lose.
Ethiopia successfully defeats Italy and remains free.
They then gathered modern weapons to use in the
future.
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.
English government allows Br. East India Company to increase territory and govern the entire colony.
Company army made up of sepoy soldiers (Indians) and led by British officers.
“Jewel of the Crown”—India is the most valuable of all colonies
serves crucial role as supplier of raw materials and new markets for British goods
Sepoy Mutiny
Indian soldiers rebel against the British
Cartridges of new rifles were greased with either beef
or pork fat (ends must be bitten off to be used)
Muslims (pork) & Hindus (cows) refuse to use them
East India Co. handled situation badly, but still won.
Internal conflicts prevent Indian unity
British gov’t takes over rule in 1858 from E.I.C.
THIS IS A TURNING POINT IN INDIAN HISTORY
https://youtu.be/2yXKbd5IDzU
Legacy of British rule in India
Positive:
RAILROADS CONNECTED INDIA = MODERN ECONOMY AND UNITY
INFRASTRUCTURE: ROADS, DAMS, BRIDGES, IRRIGATION CANALS, TELEGRAPH LINES
SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS BUILT
MADE COUNTRY SAFER
Negative:
INDIA LOST POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER
FAMINE : BRITISH PUSHED CASH CROPS OVER FOOD THAT FED INDIANS
RACISM: INDIANS TREATED LIKE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS
China in Isolation
Since the Great Wall was built, China 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 1800, 1/3 of all Chinese are addicted
Opium War (1839)
Chinese Emperor is concerned/angry that the
addictions have harmed his subjects
British ignore his claims, 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kvkpuarvyk
Taiping Rebellion 1850’s-1864
Chinese population growth exceeds food supply causing famine (leads to increase in opium addiction)
Hong Xiuquan begins a rebellion to bring prosperity and equality to all Chinese
Hong’s million-man rebel army controls SE China
Imperial Chinese, British, & French troops put down rebellion at great cost: 20 million dead Chinese
Equiv. of losing entire population of Montana, Alaska, North Dakota, Hawaii, Kansas, Iowa, & Michigan!!!
Foreign Influence
1862-1908 Empress Cixi rules and starts reforms
Foreign powers take advantage of mixed results of
reforms and “strong-arm” China into accepting
foreign trade advantages
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
Ordinary Chinese feel humiliated
Push for reforms which lead creation of secret society (Society of Righteous & Harmonious Fists)
Erupts into wide-spread revolt against Empress and all foreigners (“Death to the foreign devils!”)
Multi-national force finally defeats rebels
Chinese nationalism surges after Boxer Rebellion and carries on into early 1900’s
boxer rebellion/U.S. imperialism/open door policy: https://youtu.be/e3XAYIr0478
