IMPERIALISM - Effects

AP World History

Imperialism- Cultural Effects

Education Gaining Western education generated new

identities for a small minority Reading and writing almost “magical” Access to better paying positions Social mobility and elite status

Western educated elite embraced Western culture

Educated elite saw themselves as a vanguards for their societies – leading them forward

Cultural Effects - Education

Unfortunately, hopes for a renewal of Asian and African societies fell short Europeans declined to treat their Asian and

African subjects as equals Conflict between enlightenment ideals of

Western thought and realities of colonial racism

Cultural Effects – Diffusion

European culture spread Settler colonies saw greater culture changes European social norms often enforced

Dressing in “western” clothingOutlawing subject people’s practices that were

taboo in Western, Christian society (practice of Sati in India, for example)

Aboriginal Cricket Team (Melbourne)

First Indian Cricket team to visit England

Cultural Effects – Religion

Christianity Spread by missionaries Large scale conversions

New Zealand, Pacific Islands, non-Muslim Africa

Associated with Western education Spread more by African teachers than

European missionaries Christianity became “Africanized”

Cultural Effects – Religion

India Rejected conversion Renewal and distillation of Hinduism

(instead of regional varieties) as an equal to ChristianityCaused Muslims to view themselves as a

separate communitySet the stage for profound religious and political

divisions in 20th century

Swami Vivekananda

Cultural Effects – Race and Tribe

Pan-Africanism Grows from common experience of colonial

oppression and racism Effort to revive cultural self-confidence and

to challenge Western superiority

Cultural Effects – Race and Tribe

Idea of the Tribe European notion developed to assist colonial rule Africans found tribal labels useful

In urban areas, ways to provide mutual assistance

“Europeans believed Africans belonged to tribes; Africans built tribes to belong to.”

Cultural Effects – Gender Roles

Africa European patriarchy changed roles of African

womenWage labor forced women to manage domestic

economies aloneWomen’s sexuality and mobility was controlled by

European and African men alike Colonialism provided some opportunities

Opportunities in mission schools, towns, and mines Small scale trade left to women