Age of Imperialism 1880-1914

Definition Imperialism = one country’s domination of political, economic, and social life of another country

Causes Political  rival European countries (nationalism) Economic demand for raw materials and markets for goods (competition, Industrial Revolution)

Reasons (cont.) Ideological  European religious fervor, feelings of racial/cultural superiority = Europeans wanted to impose their cultures on others (Social Darwinism): idea that some races were more “evolved” than others “The White Man’s Burden” – duty of Europeans to civilize “backward” people, spread Christianity and Western ideals/values

Causes (cont.) Religious  desire to spread Christianity, Exploratory  scientific/medical research, have adventure, investigate unknown land/culture

Forms Colony – directly ruled by an imperial power thru colonial officials Protectorate – has its own govt, but “guided” by a foreign power Sphere of Influence – region where an imperial power has exclusive investment/trading rights

Scramble for Africa 1880-1914, European countries claimed most parts of Africa for their own 1885 – European nations met in Berlin, Germany and agreed to split (partition) Africa amongst themselves (Berlin Conference) By 1914, Europe controlled 90% of Africa

French Holdings Invaded Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia), and Morocco in Northern Africa

British Holdings Controlled Egypt, Sudan, South Africa Desired to control a portion of Africa all the way from North to South (“From Cairo to Capetown” was the motto)

Analyzing Political Cartoons

Independent Nations By 1900, Liberia was the only independent state in West Africa. Ethiopia was also independent (kicked out the Italians when led by King Menelik II)

Congo King Leopold II (Belgium) claimed Congo as his own private plantation; enslaved the people brutally for 20 years; then gave the plantation to the Belgian government

EFFECTS Schools taught that European ways were best By early 1900s, elite Africans began to condemn imperialism as against European ideals of liberty, equality, nationalism Harmed land by mining, factories, logging Paid Africans low wages, and imposed high taxes Men housed in dorms away from families

British in India Controlled by British East India Company (a privately-owned joint stock company) Army led by British officials- made up of Indian soldiers. India seen as the “jewel in the crown” British resists India’s economy from operating on its own. British build railroad- set up plantations Tea, indigo, coffee, opium Sold opium to China

Impact of Colonialism Negative Positive British control political/economic issues Reduction of food production = famine Threatened traditional life Positive Railroads Sanitation and public health improved Schools/Colleges

Sepoy Rebellion Rumor that cartridges for new rifles greased with beef and pork fat What problem would this pose? Sepoy Rebellion (1857) – soldiers rebel British gov’t moves in, gains control of India Nationalism grows as British use India for their reasons, not what is best for India (Gandhi leads peaceful rebellions)

Westernization Westernization – to adopt aspects of European (western) civilization (examples: industrialize, democracy, etc.)

Reactions of China and Japan Both countries had contact with European nations in the 1800s China’s government assumed they were stronger than Europe Britain began importing Opium into China to buy tea, which China didn’t like Britain badly beat China in the Opium War (1840s) China was surprised by Europe’s strength China rejected Westernization and was slowly made into spheres of influence by European nations

European troops in China

Japan Japan was isolationist (closed to foreigners) from 1600-1850s American gunboats came to Japan and forced them to open to trade (1850s) Japan saw how China was treated and decided to Westernized their military, government, schools, etc. Japan, by modernizing, was able to compete with Europe and was never taken over Japan beat China, then Russia in a war Russo-Japanese was (1905) – first time an Asian nation beat a European nation

Japan “modernizing”