Chapter 13: New Global Patterns
French political cartoon from the late 1890s. A pie represents "Chine" (French for China) and is being divided between caricatures of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, William II of Germany (who is squabbling with Queen Victoria over a borderland piece, whilst thrusting a knife into the pie to signify aggressive German intentions), Nicholas II of Russia, who is eyeing a particular piece, the French Marianne (who is diplomatically shown as not participating in the carving), and the Meiji Emperor of Japan, carefully contemplating which pieces to take. A stereotypical Chinese official throws his up his hands to try and stop them, but is powerless.It is meant to be a figurative representation of the Imperialist tendencies of these nations towards China during the decade.
Setting the Scene
Imperialism profited industrial nations, but disrupted economies elsewhere, forcing non-western peoples to accept western
ways. Japan became a modern industrial power with its own imperialistic goals. Western powers claimed most of the
Pacific islands and Southeast Asia. In Latin America, a pattern of military rule and economic dependency emerged. The
United States created its own sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere.
I. Japan modernizes
Japan remained closed to foreigners until 1853, when the US demanded that it open its ports
In 1853 United States Commodore Matthew Perry met with Japan’s royal commissioner in Japan. With a fleet of American gunships docked in the harbor, Perry presented the Japanese with a trade and friendship treaty.
I. Japan modernizes
During the Meiji Restoration, reforms were made in the government, economy, and society
I. Japan modernizesJapan built a modern army and navy, and began creating an empire
II. Southeast Asian and the PacificBy the 1890’s, Europeans controlled most of Southeast Asia, and the US gained Hawaii, the Philippines, and Samoa
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all gained self-rule from Great Britain
III. Impact of Imperialism
Monroe Doctrine: prohibited Europeans from colonization in the Americas
Roosevelt Corollary: claimed police power in the Americas
III. Impact of Imperialism
III. Impact of Imperialism
Western powers disrupted traditional
economies in Africa and Asia
III. Impact of Imperialism
Colonial rulers introduced a money economy that replaced the barter system in some countries
III. Impact of Imperialism
Local economies became dependent on western powers, which bought raw materials and supplied manufactured goods
III. Impact of Imperialism
Colonial rule brought economic benefits - modern banking, technology, communications, and transportation networks
III. Impact of Imperialism
Westerners pressed colonies to accept "modern" ways - western ideas, government, technology, and culture
III. Impact of Imperialism
Missionaries built schools and hospitals, benefiting the people
General Council Missionaries Rajahmundry Mission Field, India
III. Impact of Imperialism
Imperialism enabled missionaries to spread the Christian faith, but not in areas of ancient religions
Buddhists, Hindus, and Moslems
III. Impact of Imperialism
Western cultures also changed during the Age of Imperialism - they realized other cultures had much to offer
III. Impact of Imperialism
By the early 1900s, resistance to imperialism resulted in nationalist movements to end colonial rule
III. Impact of Imperialism
In 1914 and 1939, imperialist ambitions would contribute to the outbreak of two shattering world wars