Age of Imperialism Chapter 24 WHAP Mr Nolting

Age of Imperialism Chapter 24 WHAP Mr. Nolting

The Age of Imperialism (1850 -1914) • Imperialism: The takeover of a country or territory by a stronger nation with the intent of dominating the economic, political and social life of the people of that nation Age of Exploration ↓ Europeans raced for overseas colonies ↓ Growth of European commerce and trade worldwide ↓ Industrial/Commercial Revolution

“Old” Imperialism • 1500’s-1700’s • Race/Wars over colonies (Portugal, Spain, England, France, Holland) • European powers did not usually acquire territory but rather built a series of trading stations (new world exceptions)

INTERLUDE – LATE 1700 s-LATE 1800 s Europeans were preoccupied with happenings on the European continent and in the existing European colonies American Revolution French Revolution Napoleonic Wars Latin American Revolutions Growth of Nationalism Industrial Revolution

“New” Imperialism • Circa 1850 -1914 • Renewed race for colonies – Favored direct conquest and formal empire – Africa/Asia under Euro influence (not limited or coastal as in past)

Causes/Motives for Imperialism • Industrial Revolution – New markets for finished goods – New sources of raw materials • From Africa, Asia, Latin America • Economic – Other nations follow Britain’s lead – colonies necessary for economic well-being – Economic competition

Causes/Motives for Imperialism • Nationalism – Nations need to add colonies to their empires as a measure of national greatness • “The sun never sets on the British Empire” – Colonies = economic & political power, expand territory, exercise military force • Social/Racial – Europeans/Americans regard new technology as proof they are better than others – had the right to dominate others • Racism grows

CONCEPT OF “RACES” CIRCA 1900

Causes/Motives for Imperialism • Social Darwinism: the idea that those who were fittest for survival and success were superior to others – Colonizers feel they have the right/duty to bring progress to other places – Need to civilize or Westernize others – Whites morally obligated to bring the “blessings of civilization” to “backward” peoples – “The White Man’s Burden”

Social Darwinism said that strong people should rule over weak people…

Causes/Motives for Imperialism • The White Man’s Burden – Racist patronizing that preached that the “superior” Westerners had an obligation to bring their culture to “uncivilized” peoples in other parts of the world – Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book, his ideas about imperialism can be seen in a poem he wrote in 1889 called The White Man’s Burden

The White Man’s Burden was the idea that Europeans had to conquer the rest of the world, to spread the benefits of Western Civilization. This was supposed to help them…

Mahatma Gandhi was born in India around the same time as Rudyard Kipling. Gandhi lived in India and Africa and studied law in England, but he had different ideas about imperialism. Reporter: “What do you think about Western Civilization? ” Gandhi: “I think it would be a good idea!” Gandhi led India to independence from England through nonviolent resistance.

Gandhi and others thought that Europeans were just talking about helping the people they conquered. The West wasn’t really civilized. It was brutally conquering the entire world and taking foreign countries’ natural resources.

Causes/Motives for Imperialism • Religious Motives – Conversion to Christianity – Missionary work in Africa, Asia, Pacific Island – David Livingstone (famous missionary) • Went to Africa to preach Gospel & end slave trade • Westerns eager to read about adventures in distant places • Newspapers competed for readership by hiring reporters to search the globe for stories • Henry Stanley – Famous reporter – Stanley was hired in 1871 to find David Livingstone who had traveled deep into the heart of Africa and hadn’t been heard from in some years – Ten months later, Stanley caught up with Livingstone and his account of their meeting made headlines around the world. Stanley became an instant celebrity – creates interest in Africa

What Enabled Imperialism? • Europeans’ technological superiority (including the machine gun) • Improvements in transportation to and within Asian and African colonies • Medical advances which protected Europeans from foreign diseases (malaria) • Disunity among ethnic groups in Africa

One English writer put it this way: “Whatever happens, we have got the Maxim gun, and they have not. ”

Imperialism in 1914

Land Empires in Asia • Similar to those they had est. in the Americas – Initially Euros had limited interest to gain control of other regions – too expensive – Men on the spot were drawn into local struggles as they sought to advance or defend their interests.

Dutch Java • Java = Indonesia • Initially Dutch paid a tribute to Java • Later they backed sultans in tribal conflict – Every time they helped they demand more land – Needed Dutch backing b/c of their organization & weapons, eventually they give up everything

Rise of British Rule in India • British agents repeatedly meddled in disputes/conflicts of local princes • Indian princes regarded British as allies who could help them out – Gradually emerged as serious rivals to Indian rulers • Relied heavily on Indian troops called sepoys • Rise of British Raj (British political establishment in India) b/c of British/French conflict • 18 th century the two powers on diff sides in 5 wars (ended in British victories – exception Am Rev)

Rise of British Rule in India • By the beginning of the 19 th century, India was becoming Britain's major colonial possession – empires largest colonial population • The willingness of Indians to serve in British-led armies contributed a powerful land force to the empire. Indian ports were vital to British sea power. During the nineteenth century, India became the major outlet for British manufactured goods and overseas investment, as well as a major supplier of raw materials

Social Reforms in the Colonies • Nabobs – corrupt British leaders who made money while overseas forced change • The ending of the ritual immolation (sati) of Hindu widows was a particular focus of reform – The reforms enacted were a watershed in global history. – A broad range of the essential components of Western culture were introduced into the Indian world. – The British wanted to remake Indian society along Western lines • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_Sx. Pv 5 a. QP 0 c • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=9 simyix 3 p. BA • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ee. MFf. HNCo. Gg

Industrial Rivalries & Partition of the World • Science & industry gave Euros power over rest of world & heightened econ competition & political rivalries b/w Euro powers – Political leaders of expansive nations saw colonies as essential to states that aspired to be great powers – Colonies = insurance against raw materials shortage & lost of overseas markets

Patterns of Dominance • 2 different kinds of colonies – Tropical dependencies (Africa, Asia & S. Pacific) • Few Europeans ruled many indigenous people – Settlement colonies • White Dominions – Inhabited mostly by Europeans and their descendants; indigenous peoples were few • The second variation, “contested settler colonies, ” grouped territories where large European populations lived among even more numerous indigenous peoples • White racial supremacy

South Africa • Originally Dutch settle on coast • Boers (farmers & descendants of Dutch immigrants) eventually moved inland • Great growing climate & sparsely populated • Enslaved indigenous people • Arrival of British – changes b/w Boers & natives – Eradicate slavery, many Boers migrate elsewhere -> collide with Bantu people, Boers establish 2 republics -> try to keep free of British influence, diamonds/gold discovered in area -> Cecil Rhodes , conflict over resources = Boer Wars

Cecil Rhodes Doc • http: //www. clas. ufl. edu/users/harlandj/cours es/4264/documents_British_empire. pdf