Introduction to Imperialism

1
Introduction to Imperialism

• Chapter 27 Notes

2
Definition of Imperialism

• Process by which one state, with superior
  military strength and more advanced technology,
  imposes its control over the land, resources, and
  population of a less developed region

3
What did this look like?
4
The Rationale

• Think about the last two units (Revolutions,
  Industrial Revolution) - how did we get here?
• Nationalism - large colonies meant power
• Industrialization - vast access to natural
  resources and cheap labor
• Humanitarianism - Europeans thought it was their
  duty to civilize and uplift African people
• Social Darwinism - Survival of the fittest people

5
Nationalism (1800-1914)

• French Revolution and Napoleon spread nationalism
  throughout Europe
• Pride in ones country was based upon industrial
  production, military strength, and size of empire

6
Industrialization (1750-1900)

• Increased population in Europe
• Great technological advances - military,
  transportation, and communications
• Continued economic expansion requires more
  resources and markets

7
Humanitarianism

• Christian missionaries saw Africa and Asia as
  fertile ground for converts
• Cultural superiority - Europeans must save the
  rest of the world
• Must stop the Arab slave trade in Africa (still
  in practice in North/East Africa)

8
Scramble for Africa

• Prior to the Age of Imperialism, Europeans only
  controlled port towns (except for Portugal who
  had two larger colonies)
• British took South Africa, Sierra Leone, and
  Gambia in the mid-1800s

9
Scramble for Africa

• Between 1875 and 1900 European control of Africa
  went from 10 to 90
• Inadequate food supplies in Africa because Europe
  insisted on growing cash crops such as cotton
• Only two nations, Liberia (home to many freed
  American slaves) and Ethiopia remained independent

10
The Berlin Conference

• Tensions began to mount between rival European
  nations
• Conference called in 1884 by Bismarck of Germany
  to defuse disputes and set guidelines for
  colonization

11
The Berlin Conference

• Conference in Berlin essentially divided up
  Africa no African representatives were in
  attendance (or were even invited)
• While dividing up the continent tribal
  territories and rivalries were not considered.
  Boundaries were drawn that divided tribes and
  coupled enemies together, leading to modern
  problems in Africa.

12
Administrative Styles

• Colonies (Direct Rule)
• French, German, Portuguese
• European rule imposed
• Highly centralized
• No attempt to preserve African institutions
• Protectorates (Indirect Rule) Paternalism
• British
• Governor appointed by British govt
• Local leaders advised by British
• Supposed to preserve African institutions

13
Administrative Styles

• Spheres of Influence
• Local rulers maintain control of internal affairs
• Europeans control port towns
• China
• Company Rule
• European country grants economic and political
  control to trading company
• India (revoked later)
• Belgium Congo (terrible abuses)

14
Competition for Asia

• British East India Company had long controlled
  large parts of India, but other areas were soon
  being sought after

15
Competition for Asia

• Subjugation of Asia less violent and more
  diplomatic than in Africa (other than the French
  campaign for Indochina)

16
Sepoy Mutiny Outbreak and uprising of Indians

• By 1850,the British controlled most of the Indian
  subcontinent India was the Jewel in the crown
  most valuable resources and location
• Pockets of discontent and use of sacred
  animals/meat (Hindus and Muslims)
• Indians claimed
• Forced conversion to Christianity
• Racism
• Economic problems
• Indian soldiers spread gossip (Sepoys)