Imperialism

1. Imperialism World History

2. Imperialism • “When a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries or territories” • Control over: • Economy • Politics • Society (social issues)

4. 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)

5. 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 100 years later.

6. Scramble for Africa • European countries colonized areas in Africa south of the Sahara • local populations were enslaved, exploited, and sometimes exterminated. • Video: http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/9057CC88-0EDE-43C4-98DC-2B720A85BA1B

7. 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?”

8. 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”.

9. 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?

10. Motives behind Imperialism • 2. Economic Competition—need for natural resources and new markets to feed the expanding Industrial Revolution • Rubber, Ivory, lumber, etc. • Forced Africans to grow cash crops; causes food shortages. • 3. Missionary Spirit—a divine duty spread Christianity to those still practicing indigenous beliefs

11. Motives behind Imperialism • 4. Nationalism- to gain power and prestige for their country, Europeans sought to acquire colonies.  Famous political cartoon of Cecil Rhodes.

12. 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

13. Maxim Gun—first automatic machine gun

14. Factors that made Imperialism successful • Diversity of cultures discouraged African unity • History of conflict between tribes • Europeans take advantage of this vulnerability

15. Berlin Conference (1884-85)

16. 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 & infrasturcture 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.

17. 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.

19. 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)

21. 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

22. Sepoy Mutiny • Indian soldiers rebel against the British • Cartridges of new rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. (ends must be bitten off to be used) • Muslims and Hindus 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

23. 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

24. 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 1835, 12 million Chinese are addicted

25. 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.

26. 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, British, and French troops put down rebellion at great cost (20 million dead Chinese)

27. 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”

28. 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