European Imperialism 1850-1914 Imperialism is an institution under which one nation asserts the...
-
Upload
caroline-clayton -
Category
Documents
-
view
220 -
download
0
Transcript of European Imperialism 1850-1914 Imperialism is an institution under which one nation asserts the...
European ImperialismEuropean Imperialism
1850-19141850-1914
Imperialism is an institution under which one nation asserts the right to seize the land or at least to control the government or resources of another people.
-John T. Flynn
IntroductionIntroduction Imperialism- The social,
economic, and political domination of one nation by another country.
Old Imperialism- Took place between 1500 and 1800, included the American Colonies.
New Imperialism- Between 1815 & 1914, the West (Europe and America) increased their control of the world’s land mass from 35%-85%.
New ImperialismNew Imperialism Between 1850 and 1914, nationalism had
produced strong, centrally governed nation-states. The Industrial Revolution had made economics stronger as well.
During this time, Japan, the U.S., and the industrialized nations of Europe became more aggressive in expanding in other lands.
The new imperialism was focused mainly in Asia and Africa, where declining empires and local wars left many states vulnerable. In Africa, many states had been weakened by the legacy of the slave trade.
NationalismNationalism Feeling of intense pride
towards your country. Nationalistic thought led to
a feeling of superiority, so imperialists felt they had the right to take control of other countries they viewed as weaker.
Three types of imperialismThree types of imperialism
Colony- Direct and complete control
Protectorate- Control foreign affairs - not directly ruled
Sphere of Influence- Control trade
(think of a street gang & its turf)
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismEconomic
Industrialization gave the West the ability to conquer other parts of the world.
Large-scale industrial production made Western factories demand more raw materials, which could be seized from less powerful nations.
Also, Western nations needed markets for goods produced.-Colonies would serve as potential
markets. Immense wealth allowed Western
world to conquer distant places.
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismMilitary Factors
Industrialization bestowed new weaponry of all types upon the armies and navies of the West:
-Ocean-going fleets
-Modern rifles and rapid-fire artillery. Occasions were rare that native populations
could resist Western military forces. Growing need of Western nations to
maintain bases & coal/oil stations around the world for naval & civilian fleets.
-Ships required repairs and refueling stations at strategic locations globally.
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismSocial Factors
Europe’s rapid population growth during the 1800’s-played a role in prompting imperial activity.
-Emigration to the Americas was an outlet.
-Millions came to the Americas.
-Another outlet was to leave home for colonial life.
*Ambitious or desperate families attempted to make their fortunes this way.
Causes of ImperialismCauses of Imperialism Role of Science & Technology
Instrumental in allowing West to conquer & colonize.-Knowledge was power.-Advances in transportation,
communication, and warfare brought by the I.R. enabled Western nations to build empires.
- New wave of exploration allowed for better knowledge of the geography of the world.
Medical advances-Made possible for Europeans and
Americans to press into tropical regions.
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors
Sense of racial superiority was widespread among Westerners. Created a sense that
Western nations were entitled to conquer & colonize areas that appeared “backwards” or “primitive”.-Cecil Rhodes, British
imperialist, “I contend that we are the finest race in the world, and the more of it we inhabit, the better.”
Cecil Rhodes
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors
Social Darwinism encouraged imperialism.
The idea applied to Darwin’s Theory of Survival of the Fittest.
Social Darwinist’s argued that it was natural for stronger nations to dominate weaker nations.
Charles Darwin
Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors
Westerners believed that it was the White Imperialists duty to teach & modernize the darker-skinned, supposedly “primitive” peoples of Africa & Asia. English poet Rudyard
Kipling, “White Man’s Burden”.
Poem explained why Westerners were superior to people from “primitive” people.
Rudyard Kipling
Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresIndia
British East India Company This company established trade
in India and by 1800, controlled 3/5ths of India. The company employed
Indian Soldiers called SEPOYS.
The Sepoys were forced to follow rules against their Muslim religion and revolted, this was crushed by the British army.
The tension that followed caused the British government to take complete control of India in 1858.
Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresChina
China and the rest of the East did not want western culture in their part of the world and greatly resisted imperialism.
British merchants began trading opium with China in the 1700’s. When the Chinese tried to ban the import of the illegal drug, Britain overpowered them and established colonies in China. This battle is considered the Opium War.
After the Opium War other European powers carved up the East with “Spheres of Influence” – which meant that foreign countries had exclusive trade rights within the country.
Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresScramble for Africa After 1880, African colonization
moved away from gold & slave trade to one of taking over territory. Thanks to better maps, industrial-era
weapons, and medicines, European armies and colonizers were able to penetrate every part of the “Dark Continent”.
Almost led to war amongst the nations of Europe several times-Berlin Conference of 1884-5 was held- Presided over by Bismarck
- Laid down guidelines for African expansion and played a certain role in keeping the peace.
Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresScramble for Africa
European leaders divided Africa with no regards of who lived there, in 1850 most of Africa was free, by 1914 all of Africa was conquered accept Ethiopia and Liberia. The Zulu Tribe in Africa led
by Shaka Zulu tried to resist colonization, but were eventually overpowered.
Boer War (1899-1902) Africans suffered greatly;
tribe after tribe, country after country fell to the Europeans.