+The Era of Imperialism:

1870-1914

+

Late Nineteenth Century European Imperialism

+Definitions

Colonialism Taking direct control of an area and turning it

into a colony under a nation’s authority

Nationalism Belief that an ethnic group should rule itself Belief that one nation is better than all the

others

+Imperialism Practice by which powerful nations, particularly

European, and later American and Japanese, seek to extend and maintain political or economic control of one or more weaker countries

+Imperialism

Imperialism New V. Old

Motives for Empire Economic Political Ideological

Social Darwinism Religious Humanitarian

Adventure and Excitement

+

IndustrialRevolution

IndustrialRevolution

Source forRaw

Materials

Source forRaw

Materials

Markets forFinishedGoods

Markets forFinishedGoods

EuropeanNationalismEuropean

Nationalism

MissionaryActivity

MissionaryActivity

Military& NavalBases

Military& NavalBases

EuropeanMotives

For Colonization

EuropeanMotives

For Colonization

Places toDump

Unwanted/Excess Popul.

Places toDump

Unwanted/Excess Popul.

Soc. & Eco.Opportunities

Soc. & Eco.Opportunities

HumanitarianReasons

HumanitarianReasons

EuropeanRacism

EuropeanRacism

“WhiteMan’s

Burden”

“WhiteMan’s

Burden”

SocialDarwinism

SocialDarwinism

Resources and Strategic Areas:

Where are the important geographical areas to control?

British Landlords want to make money

Require farmers to grow crops they can sell for money – not for food

“Cash Crops”

+ Cash Crops. The agricultural products are grown primarily for exporting purposes. Products such as indigo, banana, pineapple, coffee or sugar cane are grown to be exported to developed countries.

But what

will we eat?

+Causes of Late 19th Century European Imperialism

Culture / Religion Belief in European / Christian superiority Desire to “spread civilization and Christianity

to the heathens” Social Darwinism

Prestige Whoever has the most must be the best

“He who dies with the most toys wins!”

+“The White Man’s Burden” a concept very popular during the

1800's and into the 1900's that it was the responsibility of white Europeans to bring "proper" European civilization to the nations (mostly brown, black, red or yellow) that did not have it. 

The underlying thought was that Europeans were correct in their beliefs and it was their duty to bring everyone in the world up as close to the European standards as possible.

+ Not all Europeans were equally as good - the British were the cream of the crop

Non-Europeans should accept the gift of European civilization happily

In summary: Europeans were responsible for (had the task or burden of) educating "uncivilized" or "backward" peoples.

+ Social Darwinism

Social Darwinists – sounds rather racist. They applied evolution to the social order. Europeans felt they must “save the savages”

and “civilize” them Missionaries sought to convert “heathen” unbelievers in

faraway lands. “The white man’s burden” – introducing civilization to the

“colored” races of the world.

In their view, war was nature’s way of eliminating the unfit. Using terms such as “survival of the fittest”

Social Darwinists insisted that nations and races were engaged in a struggle for survival in which only the fittest survive and deserve to win.

+ Social Darwinism: Lasting Implications

It promoted the military build-up that led to World War I.

It would become the core doctrine of the Nazi party before World War II. Holocaust and Eugenics

Provided a “scientific” and “ethical” justification for genocides in the 20th century.

What is being advertised?

Where is this taking place?

How can you tell?

What is going on?

What does it tell us about imperialism / colonialism?

Who was the queen at the time?

Common advertisement during Imperialism

+

A British Merchant's Home in Colonial India

+Britain (United Kingdom)Includes England, Scotland, Wales,Ireland

Largest colonial empire “Sun never sets on the British Empire” Colonies established to protect trading interests

in Africa and Asia Two kinds of colonies

“White” Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) Populated mainly by people that moved there from Britain Given self-rule

“Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa) Under indirect rule Populated mainly by people who are native to the area Few people from Britain actually live there – but control the

government

All the territories the British ever ownedNote: They also had a “sphere of influence” in China

as well

+France

Northwest Africa and Southeast Asia

Took colonies to make up for loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870

Tended to use “Direct Rule”Control all aspects of the colony from

Paris.

French Colonial Empire - 1905

Ignore these parts

+Germany

Bismarck originally opposed colonial expansion Unnecessary for Germany Did not want to threaten

France or Britain

Germany eventually took colonies in 1880s for status symbols In Africa and Asia

+United States

Did not get involved in European affairs

Became colonial power after 1898 Spanish-American War

U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend influence into Latin America

American Territorial Expansion after 1898

+

Case Study #1Imperialism in Africa

+ Scramble for Africa

Europe had been interested in Africa for centuries Through the slave trade

Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s

European influence restricted to coastline

Initially difficult to get to interior due to geography

Diseases made exploration difficult. (malaria, yellow fever

etc)

Technology Encourages Europeans to explore African interiorSteamboats

Advances in medicine Quinine – stops malaria

Suez Canal

+ Geographical Impact of the Suez Canal, 1869

16,000 KM

10,000 KM

See why the Suez canal

is a “strategic” location?

                                                                                               

                                                 

How do you control your empire??

+European Imperialism in Asia

IndiaBritain trading in India since 1600s

British East India Co. gradually took over parts of India

British government gradually took over India in the 1800s Sepoy Mutiny

Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co Rebellion put down by British army British government takes over control from

British East India Co.

Map of Imperialism in Asia

Growth of British Power in India

+European Imperialism in India

Consequences of British Imperialism in IndiaBritish educational system establishedSpread of English languageRailroads tie India togetherRise of Indian middle class

+European Imperialism in Asia

China Potentially huge market Closed to European trade until 1800s Opium War (1840)

Britain forces China to open trade to opium Millions of addicts Unequal Treaties (Treaty of Nanking) –

China forced open By 1900, China divided into European

“spheres of influence” Parts of China under European control

Chinese monarchy seriously weakened

+Reaction to Imperialism

Rise of Nationalist MovementsIndia

Indian National Congress (1885)Group of middle class Indians begin to

demand independence (Mohandas Gandhi)

ChinaBoxer Rebellion (1900)Nationalist Party

+Reaction to Imperialism

JapanLong isolated from Western

tradeU.S. opens Japan to trade in

1854Meiji Restoration (1868)

Faction overthrows Shogun and restores Emperor to power

Japan imports Western ideas and technology

Ever see ….

+Reaction to Imperialism

Japan adopts imperialism by 1890s Defeats China in 1895

Takes over Taiwan Defeats Russia in 1905

Gains control of Korea

Japanese imperialism worries Europeans “Yellow Peril”

+Conclusion

Different reasons for European imperialism during late nineteenth century

European imperialism causes reactions in Africa and Asia

European imperialism disrupts traditional way of life and continues to affect the world today

+

Nations gaining independence post-WWII

Decolonisation

A troublesome experience

1. The economic problems they inherited

2. The need to find political systems that work for the individual nations.

+

THE ENDDON’T BE

COLONISING ANYONE!!!