European Imperialism in Asia & Africa

Western Imperialism

• Imperialism-- the policy of extending the power and dominion of one nation over another nation

• Historical Examples: Roman Empire, Spanish Empire, Ottoman Empire, British Empire, etc. . . .

• Imperialism can be political, economic, or social!• 1800s--European nationalism & rivalries led to a drive by

many nation-states to create larger empires!

Motives & Justifications for 19th C. Imperialism

• Europeans needed natural resources & new markets for goods

• Nationalism & Patriotism in Europe

• Desire to control strategic landholdings (naval bases, supply stations, canals, etc.)

• Missionary Work (spread of Christianity)

• Humanitarian Aid/”Civilizing Missions”?—(technology, new medicine, etc. to natives)

• Social Darwinism—”survival of the fittest!”

• Paternalism—”help the little brown brother!”

Social Darwinism & Paternalism

“The White

Man’s B

urden

”?

Why did Western Imperialism succeed?

• Non-Western states (in Asia and Africa) were weakened by corrupt, out-dated governments and/or by the slave trade

• Western states had many advantages:– INDUSTRIALIZATION

(led to strong economies & capital to invest)

– Technology (steamships, RR’s, telegraph, Maxim gun, etc.)

– Advanced medicine– Relative political

stability– Strong armies/navies

TYPEs of Imperial Rule• Colony-direct rule-

officials from mother country sent to govern (ex: rule by viceroy)

• Protectorate-indirect rule- local rulers used to govern (under surveillance of mother country)

• “Concessionary Companies”- company rule (ex: BEIC in India)

• “Sphere of Influence”- Foreign power claims exclusive trading rights & other privileges in an area (no change in govt. officially)

British Presence in India• India consisted of many

different language & culture groups—was not united

• Mughal Dynasty was in a state of decline

• The British East India Trading Co. won trading rights in parts of India from Mughal emperors (by using diplomacy & military force)

• BEIC merchants enforced their rule over designated areas by hiring their own army of Indian soldiers who were considered in service of the British army (Sepoys)

BEIC “Company Rule” in India

Indian Discontent with the BEIC• The BEIC eventually required the sepoys to

serve anywhere in British territory--even overseas (in other colonies), but sepoys resisted!

• Many Indians viewed British laws as a Christian conspiracy to undermine Hindu traditions . . .

• Then, when the sepoys were issued new rifles by the British, they refused to use them– They were instructed to bite off the tips of the

bullet cartridges (greased with animal fat) in order to load their rifles

– Against Hindu & Muslim dietary restrictions!• May 1857--Sepoys staged a mutiny against

British officers & proclaimed to restore Mughal rule to India!

the Sepoy Mutiny (1857)

• Sepoys & peasants across N. & Central India rebelled! • Many British officers & civilians (incl. women & children)

were massacred• The rebellion led to deep resentment on both sides & British

retaliation against rebels • Internal divisions + lack of technology amongst Indians led

to British victory in May 1858

Parliament takes over!• 1858—Parliament responded

to mutiny by setting up a system of direct colonial rule!

• A viceroy ruled in Queen’s name

• British colonists served in most gov’t. positions

• Emphasized growth of cash crops (coffee, tea, opium, cotton)

• British built new RR’s, canals, & telegraph networks

• Led to suppression of Hindu customs not in line w/ European laws & values (ex: banning of sati).

• Once colonized, India became “the jewel in the crown of the British Empire”.

Rise of Indian Nationalism• European colonial rule led to

increased resentment & nationalism in many colonies, esp. India!

• New nationalist leaders and groups emerged among indigenous populations

• Ram Mohan Roy-”Father of Modern India”– Bengali intellectual who argued Indians could learn from the West, while still preserving their Hindu heritage

• Indian National Congress—Hindu org. that called for greater democracy; wanted eventual self-rule

• All-India Muslim League—the Muslim counterpart to INC

The “Great Game”

• Gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire & weakening of Qing Dynasty, led to European scramble over territories in Central Asia . . .

• Russia v. Britain!--Use of explorers, cossacks, & spies (espionage)

Imperialism spreads to Southeast Asia . . .

• British rule in India led to European interest in neighboring SE Asia

• 1880’s--British extended rule over Burma (Myanmar), Singapore & Malaya– Burma—teak, jade, & rubies– Malaya—rubber– Singapore—on the Strait of Melaka

(trade passageway)• France then est. a colony in

Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia)

• Siam (Thailand) remained independent (acted as a buffer state between British Burma & French Indochina)

Partition of Africa• From 1500s-1700s,

Europeans traded along the coast of Africa, but diseases & physical geography kept them from exploring the interior.

• 1800s--medical advances (quinine) & steam-powered ships allowed explorers & missionaries to go deep into the interior.

Venturing Into Interior Africa

• Christian missionaries were among first to explore interior Africa. (Missionary work--far more successful in Africa than in Asia and Islamic world!)

• Dr. David Livingston: first European to do humanitarian & missionary work in south/central Africa

• Eventually, search for raw materials & new markets led European business men to explore further into Africa’s interior

The “Scramble for Africa”

• 1870’s--King Leopold II of Belgium was 1st to set up an interior colony-- the “Congo Free State” (a.k.a. the Belgian Congo) – Explored w/ help of American

journalist Henry Morton Stanley– Natives forced to harvest RUBBER – “Free State”, OR King’s private

business?

• Britain followed by occupying Egypt in 1882 (after rebellions against Muhammad Ali—local ruler)– Est. a ”protectorate”– Valuable real estate because of

the Suez Canal (built in 1860’s)

The “Congo Free State”

More “Scrambling for Africa”• Dutch & British BOTH had

claims to South Africa/Cape Town

• 1806--British took over coastal cities, driving Afrikaaners (a.k.a. “Boers”; Dutch settlers & farmers)– into the interior.

• 1867—diamonds discovered in interior S. Africa

• 1886—gold discovered—led to the “Boer War”! – British won; war took toll on

Africans (who aided both sides)– Thousands of Africans placed in

internment camps by British– led to rise of “apartheid”

policies

Scramble for Colonies• Berlin Conference of 1884: to

prevent war in the rush for colonies in Africa– Met in Europe to negotiate the partition of

Africa– France took large portions of North & West

Africa– Britain gained control of most of South Africa &

Egypt/Sudan region– Portugal, Italy, & Germany also took colonies– NO AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES INVITED!

• Only Ethiopia and Liberia avoided colonization (Liberia was a state est. by the US as a place to send freed slaves).

The “Developed” World (in BLUE)