Imperialism/Nationalism

British view of Imperialism Germany’s view of British Imperialism

In 1894 the Japanese, who felt that some Chinese lands belonged to them, declared war on China. They seized the Chinese island of Formosa (present day Taiwan). By this time Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States also controlled parts of China.

Egypt and the Suez Canal: By 1900 Britain controlled African lands from the Mediterranean coast to the southern tip of the continent. One of the most important of these lands was Egypt. Egypt was formally a part of the Ottoman Empire, but it had acted independently for many years.

Between 1859 and 1869, French engineers dug a canal through the Isthmus of Suez which connects north eastern Africa and western Asia. The canal is 101 miles long.

Notes on Imperialism – Africa (God, Gold and glory) Europeans wanted the timber, rubber and other raw materials. In the 1880’s, many European governments established colonies in African lands. White Man’s Burden: The belief that Europeans had that it was their “duty” to teach the “less fortunate”. Suez Canal: This is an important waterway, since it created a shortcut to Asia Britain bought the shares and took control of the canal. India: By the mid-1800’s, the East India Company controlled much of the Indian subcontinent. Its main purpose was to take India’s raw materials for British industry and sell British goods to India. China: Trade is what brought Western countries to China. The East India Company introduced opium to China to force trade with them Britain had special trading rights. In 1894, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States all controlled parts of China.

Notes: Nationalism: Nationalism: Loyalty to a nation Throughout history, people had little sense of belonging to a nation, until the late 1700’s. This is due, in part, to the lack of modern transportation and technology.

Italian Nationalism: Italy experienced the rise of nationalism early. In the 1830s Italy was a collection of separate states and kingdoms. The Catholic Church ruled Rome and the states around it. Members of the Austrian and French royal families ruled a number of small Italian states. Some of the other states were ruled by Italian nobles.

German Unification In the early 1800s, Germany, like Italy, was a collection of separate states. Since 1815 these states had been united in a confederation, or loose alliance, which had little authority. One of the main goals of the alliance was to stop any nationalist feelings and keep the German states independent.

Not everyone agreed that the states should stay separate. King Wilhelm I, who in 1861 had become the ruler of Prussia, one the most powerful states, believed that Germany was meant to be united under Prussian rule.

All that remains to be determined, “ he said, “ is when and how.” The when and the how were largely decided by Otto von Bismarck, who became the chancellor, or prime minister, of Prussia in 1862.

By 1871, Britain and Germany were clearly the most powerful, both militarily and economically. Austria and Russia lagged far behind. France struggled along somewhere in the middle. The European balance of power had broken down. We are setting the stage for a conflict.

Notes: Nationalism: By 1871, Britain and Germany were the most powerful nations in Europe. Each European nation believed itself to be superior to all the others.

Notes: Nationalism: Italy: Italy was a number of separate kingdoms. Nationalism started due to efforts to unify the country. Unification began in 1831, and was completed by Germany: Germany was a number of separate kingdoms. Like Italy, nationalism started due to efforts to unify the country. Unification began in 1861, and was completed by 1871.