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 , 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
Pause here and have students complete Darwin reading analysis.

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”)
Note: Discuss also the meanings of the terms colony, protectorate, sphere of influence, economic imperialism.

21. Colonial Management Indirect Control Direct Control Leadership
Self-Rule
Goal
Governmental Style
Examples

22. Colonial Management Indirect Control Direct Control Leadership
Local government officials were used
Foreign officials brought in to rule
Self-Rule
Limited self-rule
No self-rule
Goal
Goal—to develop future leaders
Goal—assimilation
Governmental Style
Government institutions are based on European styles but may have local rules
Government institutions are based only on European styles
Examples
Examples:
British colonies such as Nigeria, India, Burma
U.S. colonies on Pacific Islands
French colonies such as Somaliland, Vietnam
German colonies such as Tanganyika
Portuguese colonies such as Angola

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

24. Impact of Colonial Rule
Positive Effects
Negative Effects

25. Impact of Colonial Rule
Positive Effects
Negative Effects
Reduced local warfare, raids between rival tribes
Africans lost control of their land and their independence
Improved sanitation, construction of schools and hospitals led to increased life spans and improved literacy rates
Many died as a result of disease (smallpox), famine, and resistance
Economic expansion, construction of railroads, dams, telephone / telegraph lines
Breakdown of traditional African culture (loss of identity), division of African continent
Note: Artificial boundaries will plague Africa for years to come.

26. White Man’s Burden
“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.”
Which imperialist motive(s) do/does this poem excerpt reflect? How does it justify imperialism as a noble and necessary enterprise?

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 The Sepoy Mutiny turns into widespread rebellion
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
Pictured, left to right: Queen Victoria of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Marianne of France (the national emblem and personification of liberty and reason), and a Japanese samurai. A Mandarin official helplessly looks on in the background.

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. What do they have in common?
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.