European Imperialism

I. Beginnings Until 19th century, Europe had not sought creation of empires in Africa and Asia Originally, profits through cooperation (East India Trading Companies) Contact between home countries and trading companies was sparse Company directors (often called “men-on-the-spot”) were drawn into local struggles – often acted first, reported later Made it easy for European nations to completely take over (imperialism) Reasons for imperialism Industrial Revolution caused need for more land, raw materials Racism – belief that white Europeans were superior and deserved wealth and success (Social Darwinism) Religious missionaries – wanted to civilize the world

II. Empires Start To Form The Dutch take over Java (Southeast Asia) One of earliest empires to be pieced together in late 17th, early 18th centuries Dutch initially paid tribute to island leaders, sought to secure hold over spice trade Drawn into local political struggles, received land in return for support By 1760, Dutch controlled all of Java – core of Asian empire British rule in India (mid 1700s-mid 1900s) Considered the brightest “jewel in the crown” – most valuable colony Decentralization of India as Mughal power declined helped British gain control British grew in power by utilizing armies staffed by sepoys, or Indian soldiers Set up restrictions on Indian economy – became dependent on Britain India became major source of raw materials, outlet for produced goods

II. Continued… Scramble for Africa Discovery of diamonds and gold in African interior in late 1800s spurred European interest Competition was fierce – European nations feared war with each other Berlin Conference (1884-85) – 14 nations met to decide rules for dividing Africa Any European nation could claim land in Africa by notifying other nations and showing that they could control it No concern for existing ethnic/linguistic divisions No African leaders invited to conference By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained free of European control

III. The Colonial World 1800s, early 1900s – Belgium, France, Germany, Britain all competed for dominance in new industrial world Colonies were key to competition – access to resources, outlets for commercial activities Popular opinion/national pride spurred colonization Industrialization led to better communications/transportations/weapons technologies – allowed easier takeover Resistance to colonization Differed from colonies of North & South America Europeans faced fierce resistance in many parts of Africa, Asia, south Pacific British face off with Zulus in southern Africa Vietnamese rebels organized guerilla bands against French Locals more resistant to European diseases, Europeans susceptible to local diseases (malaria in Africa)

III. Continued… Two types of colonies by end of 19th century Dependent colonies (“tropical dependencies”) Africa, Asia, south Pacific Small number of Europeans ruled large number of native people Settlement colonies (“White Dominions”) North & South America, Australia Europeans and descendants made up majority of population Native population decimated by disease/conflict Europeans used existing rivalries and tensions to maintain control and put down resistance to colonial rule Divide and conquer India: Muslim vs. Hindus Africa: animistic religions/converted Christians vs. Muslims Strengthened existing tensions by dividing people into “tribes”

III. Continued… Europeans often ruled colonies through subordinates, usually members of preexisting ruling groups More conquering by dividing Economic changes Introduced European techniques/practices in an attempt to get more raw materials from colonies Introduction of cash/consumer goods used as incentives to many societies Colonized people began to be forced to produce more marketable goods Economies of Africa, India, southeast Asia reorganized to serve needs of Europe Exported crops replaced food crops in many areas

Africa, 1914