Imperialism

1. Imperialism

2. Imperialism Topics • Africa • India • China • Japan “Imperialism is a Glorious Pursuit”

3. Definition • Imperialism is a policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially • Involves the takeover of a country or territory and its people (Risk in real life)

4. Motives—Why? • Economic • Political • Religious • Exploratory • Ideological (Racism)

5. Key Themes • Between 1850-1914, industrialized countries exploit overseas colonies for resources and markets. • Western imperialists, with superior arms and technology, establish colonies in Asia and Africa; colonial rule, however, provokes native resistance and spurs feelings of nationalism. • Countries in East Asia respond to Western imperialism in different ways; China initially resists foreign influence while Japan ends its isolation and begins to modernize like its Western counterparts.

6. Suez Canal • Opened in 1869, it is a manmade waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea • Built by the French • Why might it be important to European imperialism in Africa?

8. It was a strategic location as the shortest link between Europe and Asia!

9. Imperialists Divide Africa

10. Africa Before Imperialism • Many ethnic groups but few Europeans rule in Africa • African armies and traders kept Europeans out (equal technology, many people) • Rivers were impassable, making it difficult to get inland

11. Competition • Europeans learn about Africa from explorers (Muslims) • Greed, nationalism, racism, and philanthropy (missionaries) motivate European colonialism

12. Competition • A growing need for new markets and raw materials to improve their economies • Superior arms (Maxim gun), the steam engine, medicines, and African rivalries help Europeans dominate Africa

13. Social Darwinism • The application of Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution and “survival of the fittest” to human societies • Created by Herbert Spencer • Justification for imperialist expansion

14. Social Darwinism • Societies with more wealth, power and technology were superior to those without • Europeans had a right and a duty (“burden”) to spread their values to others

15. Territorial Scramble • The Berlin Conference (1884-5) divides Africa among European nations • The division fails to take into account African ethnic and linguistic groupings • Focus only on wants of European Nations

16. Berlin Conference Simulation • Read directions and identify the goals of your countries • Negotiate and discuss how best to divide the African continent • Submit map and answers to reflection questions upon completion of exercise • Time: ~ 45 minutes

17. Reflection Questions • What similarities and differences do you see between your map and the map of 1914 Africa? • How did this exercise help you and your group to understand the process of imperialism in Africa?

19. African Imperialism—A Review… • How did the force of nationalism influence the process of imperialism in the late nineteenth century? • What advantages did the Europeans have that enabled them to conquer the people of Africa? • Explain the concept of Social Darwinism. What imperial motive did it pertain to? • What was the Berlin Conference, and what long-term impact did it have on the African people?

20. Imperial Control • Two basic methods of colonial management: indirect and direct • Indirect control used by Britain and U.S. (in Pacific) • Direct control used by French and other European powers • Paternalism and assimilation (“association”)

21. Colonial Management

22. Colonial Management

23. African Resistance • Africans resist colonial rule, despite lack of adequate organization and weapons • Ethiopia successfully resists European dominance

24. Impact of Colonial Rule

25. Impact of Colonial Rule

26. White Man’s Burden Which imperialist motive(s) do/does this poem excerpt reflect? How does it justify imperialism as a noble and necessary enterprise? “Take up the White Man’s burden— Send forth the best ye breed— Go, bind your sons to exile To serve your captives’ need; To wait, in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild— Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half devil and half child.”

27. British Imperialism in India

28. British Control • The East India Company seizes control of most of India (incredibly successful) • Britain considers India its primary colony, serving as its main supplier of raw materials

29. “Jewel in the Crown” • Raw materials • 300 million people  large potential market for British-made goods • Restrictions set up that prevented Indian economy from operating on its own; India produced raw materials for British manufacturing, purchased British finished goods • No competition between Indian and British goods

30. Indians Rebel • Indians object to the racist attitudes of the British rulers • The Sepoy Mutiny turns into widespread rebellion • The British government takes direct control of India

33. Indian Nationalism • Indians begin to demand a greater role in government, resenting a system that made them second-class citizens in their own country • Nationalists form the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League • Such groups were formed because they recognized the need to reform in order to resist European imperialism

34. Imperialism in China and Japan

35. Chinese Resistance • China has little interest in trading with Western nations • British import large amounts of tea from China and smuggle opium into the country • Opium War / Treaty of Nanjing

36. Internal Problems Increase • Poverty and political corruption create problems for China in the mid-1800s • Taiping Rebellion • Should China modernize or remain committed to traditional values?

37. Outside Influence • Western nations and Japan gain spheres of influence in China • U.S. promotes Open Door policy to assure trading rights for all nations and to protect China from colonization

38. Chinese Nationalism • Boxer Rebellion • Attack on foreigners • After rebellion is crushed by foreign troops, Chinese government realizes change is necessary

39. Opium War and Boxer Rebellion • What do they have in common? • Resentment of foreigners contributed to both conflicts!

40. European Imperialism of China—A Review… Explain the significance of the following… • Opium War • Treaty of Nanjing • Extraterritorial rights • Taiping Rebellion • Sphere of influence • Open Door Policy • Boxer Rebellion

41. Japan • Previously a very isolated society; no contact with industrialized world • 1854—opens to trade, grants foreigners permission to trade at treaty ports, extends extraterritorial rights to such individuals • Beginning of Meiji Era

42. Meiji Era • Period of modernization and change (Last samurai) • Adopt Western values in government, military structure, education, industrialization, etc. • In what ways does the emperor appear more western in the picture?

43. Japanese Imperialism • Defeats China in Sino-Japanese War • Defeats Russia in Russo-Japanese War, claiming Manchuria and Korea • What advantages did Japan have?

44. A Comparison/Contrast—China versus Japan Objective: Create a list of similarities and differences that breaks down how each country responded to the pressures of imperialism. Do so with a partner and submit when complete.