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Late Nineteenth Century Imperialism
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Objective To understand the causes of European imperialism of the late 19th century To understand the extent of European imperial expansion To understand the consequences of European imperialism for Europe and the developing world
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Definitions Imperialism Colonialism Nationalism
“extending a nation’s influence directly or indirectly over weaker areas” Colonialism Taking direct control of an area and turning it into a colony under a nation’s authority Nationalism Belief that an ethnic group should rule itself Belief that one nation is better than all the others
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Causes of Late 19th Century European Imperialism
Economic Industrialization Raw materials needed for European industries Oil in the Middle East Rubber in Africa Textiles in India European Capitalism Higher returns for investments Less developed areas gave higher dividends To gain access to markets
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Causes of Late 19th Century European Imperialism
Political Maintain the balance of power To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets Status symbols Germany takes colonies to be like other European powers Cultural and Religious Belief in cultural or racial “superiority” Desire to spread Christianity to “heathens” To spread “civilization”
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Britain Largest colonial empire “Sun never sets on the British Empire”
Colonies established to protect trading interests in Africa and Asia Two kinds of colonies “White” Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) given self-rule “Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa) under direct rule
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France 1830, acquired Algeria
1887, completed takeover of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) 1896, agreed with Britain to maintain Thailand as a buffer state Expanded into Western Africa in the 1880s Took colonies to make up for loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870
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Germany Bismarck originally opposed colonial expansion
Unnecessary for Germany Did not want to threaten France or Britain Germany took colonies in 1880s for status symbols In Africa and Asia
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United States Did not get involved in European affairs
Monroe Doctrine allowed US to extend influence into Latin America 1821, Mexico declared independence from Spain 1825, most of Latin America became independent 1848, Mexico lost almost half its territory to the U.S. Became colonial power after 1898 Spanish-American War 1898, U.S. gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
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Scramble for Africa Europe had been interested in Africa for centuries
Through the slave trade Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s European influence restricted to coastline Technology allows Europeans to explore African interior Steamboats, Suez Canal (completed in 1869), advances in medicine 1914, Egypt became a British protectorate
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Scramble for Africa Consequences
By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control Berlin Conference in sets ground rules for European colonization of Africa Consequences Traditional way of life disrupted Economic exploitation of Africans European racism imported into Africa Spread of European culture Spread of Western technology
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European Imperialism in Asia
India Britain trading in India since 1600s British East India Co. gradually took over parts of India British government gradually took over India in the 1800s 1857, Sepoy Mutiny Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co. and were put down by British army
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European Imperialism in Asia
Consequences of British Imperialism in India British educational system established Spread of English language Railroads tie India together Rise of Indian middle class
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European Imperialism in Asia
China Potentially huge market, but closed to European trade until 1800s 1839, Opium War 1842, Treaty of Nanjing forced China to open trade with Britain 1850, Tai Ping Rebellion began in China By 1900, China divided into European “spheres of influence” Parts of China under European control U.S. introduces Open Door Policy Chinese monarchy seriously weakened
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Reaction to Imperialism
Rise of Nationalist Movements India 1885, Indian National Congress Group of middle class Indians begin to demand independence (Mohandas Gandhi) China 1900, Boxer Rebellion Nationalist Party
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Conclusion Different reasons for European imperialism during late nineteenth century European imperialism causes reactions in Africa and Asia European imperialism increased tensions among major European powers, becoming a main cause in the outbreak of WWI European imperialism disrupts traditional way of life and continues to affect the world today
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