Imperialism

What is imperialism?The policy of extending a nation’s authority by

territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political control over other nations

In 19th c, a new phase of western expansion began into Asia and Africa

Sources of industrial raw materialsMarket for Western manufactured goods

Before this, Europe had been content with a few trading posts

Social DarwinismSurvival of the fittest in a societal senseJustifies racist attitudes

RacismThe belief that race determines the basic traits

and capabilities of the individual members of the race

Motives for European colonizationPoliticalEconomicExploratoryReligiousideological

Because of the size, climate, resources and strategic importance, Africa became prime candidate for conquest

European countries had to establish rules for colonizing in order to avoid constant bloodshed

The Berlin Conference

Conference held in Berlin between Nov. 15, 1884 and November 26, 1885

12 European nations attended, along with the Ottoman Empire and the United States

Supposed to talk about ending the slave trade and humanitarian efforts in Africa

Berlin Conference, cont.

Berlin Act: effective control of Africa by European powers; less bloodshed on Europe’s part

Article 34: spheres of influence doctrineArticle 35: doctrine of effective occupation

Berlin Conference, cont.

Cecil Rhodes“I contend that we are the finest race in the

world and that the more of the world we inhabit, the better . . .”

In 1880, only small part of Africa was colonized

By 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent

Zulu Nation had been strong independent nation in the south that was eventually defeated by the British

The British

European powers divided up the continentNew Imperialism

Worked to directly govern large areas occupied by non-European people

Driven by economics, politics, and cultural motives

Scramble for Africa

Drive for imperialism came from ambitious individuals and not just countries

Had benefited from slave tradeAlso looked to Africa as a source for raw

materials

Economic Interests

David Livingstone: Scottish explorerArrived in Africa in 1841, died in 1873

Henry Stanley: English writerSent to find LivingstoneWanted British settlement in Congo River

basin; turned to Belgian King Leopold II

Livingstone and Stanley

1899-1902Between Britain and Boers (descendants of

original Dutch settlers in 17th c.Orange Free State and the TransvaalCecil Rhodes wanted to overthrow them (had

claimed area of Rhodesia and wanted to expand)

War breaks outUnion of South Africa established

Boer War

Imperialism in Africa reflected struggles for power in Europe

One power would expand, another would expand to block them

Everyone wants to participate to assert dominance on the global political scene

Political Competition

Social DarwinismWhite Man’s Burden

Cultural Motives?

Ottoman Empire initially controlled area of EgyptMuhammad Ali set up strong independent state

that became modernized and industrialized on a small scale

Canal seemed lucrativeCompleted in 1869Linked Mediterranean with Red SeaBritain took major interest in canal – lifeline to

IndiaEventually, Britain took over the Suez Canal and

Egypt became a protectorate of the British Empire

Suez Canal

Why the switch from trade relations to governing territories?Didn’t want other European nations taking landFeared that indigenous peoples would want a

say in economic situation

Imperialism in India

Indirect rule: local rulers are allowed to maintain their position of authorityBenefit: convenient and cost effective

Direct rule: local officials removed from power and replaced with a new set of officials from the mother country

New technologies made colonizing easierSteam-powered gunboatsRepeating riflesMachine guns

Asia and Africa weapons makers could not match European technology

The British in India

Early British imperialism in India was carried out by the British East India Trading Company

Early on, was limited to coastal tradeMughal Empire broke apart into smaller

states and the BEIC saw its chance to take over

Claimed it had to restore order

The British in India

Introduced new changesEducation systemEnglishMissionaries

Banned sati

Relationship b/w British and Indians became strained – thought British were trying to destroy Indian customs and religion

BEIC

Sepoy: Indian soldier who fought in the British army

Trouble began when British adopted a new rifle

Bite off cartridge end – greased with animal fat

Hindu = no beefMuslim = no pigRose up against BritishBoth sides committed atrocitiesFighting lasted about 2 years

Sepoy Mutiny

Queen Victoria ended the rule of the BEIC in 1858

British Crown ruled India directlyDistrust still lingeredBritish Viceroy-still had more contact with

Britain than with Indians who lived in close proximity

Results of Mutiny

India was considered the “Crown Jewel”Most British thought they were superior

Segregated neighborhoods & clubsThought India was incapable of governing

itselfBritish Raj (rule)Indian Civil Service (ICS): British

administration in India

Built railroads, roads and canalsBy 1910, India had 4th largest railroad system

in worldIndia important market for British goodsRaw materials: cotton, tea, indigoDevastated India’s textile industry

Life under the British Raj

Indians had basically no power to influence gov’t decisions

Educated groups frustrated at lack of opportunities

Reformers like Ram Mohun Roy and Mohandas Gandhi said Indians had rights

Indian National Congress-1885Radicals: boycott British goodsMuslim League-1906

Rise of Indian Nationalism

Old imperialism

Imperialism in Latin America

The Colonial Class System

The Colonial Class System

Peninsulares Creoles

Mestizos

Mulattos

Native Indians Black Slaves

Latin AmericanRevolutions

Mexico – Miguel HidalgoHaiti – Toussaint-LouvertureArgentina – Jose de San MartinVenezuela – Simon Bolivar

Latin America after the revolutionsCaudillos – strong leader, usually ruling with the support of the military

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna - Mexico

Benito Juarez - Mexico

Trade – dominated by Britain; US (economic colony rather than political one)

Monroe Doctrine – DON’T touch Latin American independence

The Panama CanalUS gained control of a strip of land in Panama

Built the Panama Canal

eliminated 7,700 miles from the sea voyage between New York City and San Francisco

yellow fever and malaria

European powers invaded the Pacific RimBritain: Malaysia, Burma, SingaporeNetherlands: IndonesiaFrance: Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)

Imperialism in Southeast Asia

Land perfect for establishing trading and military posts

Excellent for plantation agriculture

Oil, tin, rubberMoved there and livedIMPACT OF COLONIZATIONSet up rigid social class system

Dutch Imperialism

Competed with the DutchTin, rubber – SingaporeImmigration policyIMPACT OF COLONIZATIONRacial conflict: Malay minority v. Chinese

majority

British Imperialism

Been in area since 1600sIMPACT OF COLONIZATIONNo encouragement of local industryDirect colonial management

paternalism

French Imperialism

Lands claimed: Hawaii, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico

IMPACT OF COLONIZATIONEconomic exploitationModernization

American Imperialism

Modernization helps European businessesEducation, health, and sanitation improveMillions migrate to find workRacial and religious clashes increase

Results of Colonization

Siam (Thailand) remains independent

Independence