The Era of Imperialism: Chapter 25 1870-1914

Late Nineteenth Century European Imperialism

Objective To understand the causes of European imperialism of the late 19 th century To understand the extent of European imperial expansion To understand the consequences of European imperialism for Europe and the developing world

To understand the causes of European imperialism of the late 19 th century

To understand the extent of European imperial expansion

To understand the consequences of European imperialism for Europe and the developing world

Definitions Imperialism “ 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

Imperialism

“ 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

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Economic Motivations Industrialization European industries need raw materials to power the industrial revolution Rubber from Africa, Asia Textiles in India Gold and Diamonds found in South Africa Oil in the Middle East and Asia (comes in even more important later in 20 th century) European Capitalism Higher returns for investments Less developed areas gave higher dividends (Don’t have to pay workers as much, don’t have to pay as much for materials coming from poor / third world areas) To gain access to markets Almost One BILLION people in Asia and anther 300 Million in India. Largest populations in the world = Plenty of customers.

Economic Motivations

Industrialization

European industries need raw materials to power the industrial revolution

Rubber from Africa, Asia

Textiles in India

Gold and Diamonds found in South Africa

Oil in the Middle East and Asia (comes in even more important later in 20 th century)

European Capitalism

Higher returns for investments

Less developed areas gave higher dividends

(Don’t have to pay workers as much, don’t have to pay as much for materials coming from poor / third world areas)

To gain access to markets

Almost One BILLION people in Asia and anther 300 Million in India. Largest populations in the world = Plenty of customers.

Life before imperialism Before imperialism, most of the people in the non-Western world were involved in subsistence agriculture – farming primarily for themselves. Imperialism caused Native peoples to begin producing agriculture for export. “ CASH CROPS”

Before imperialism, most of the people in the non-Western world were involved in subsistence agriculture – farming primarily for themselves.

Imperialism caused Native peoples to begin producing agriculture for export.

“ CASH CROPS”

Political Motivations Maintain the balance of power To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets Status symbols Colonies = Status. The more the better “ He who dies with the most toys wins!” Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism

Political Motivations

Maintain the balance of power

To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets

Status symbols

Colonies = Status. The more the better

“ He who dies with the most toys wins!”

Motivations for Imperialism Money / Resources Raw materials Cotton, Oil, Rubber, Tea, Iron, gold, diamonds, silk, copper etc People (cheap workers) Markets Colonies with people who will buy your stuff Dumping Ground Send your excess population / criminals there Canada, Australia Strategic Control strategic seas and land areas to gain power Keep OTHER countries from gaining them

Money / Resources

Raw materials

Cotton, Oil, Rubber, Tea, Iron, gold, diamonds, silk, copper etc

People (cheap workers)

Markets

Colonies with people who will buy your stuff

Dumping Ground

Send your excess population / criminals there

Canada, Australia

Strategic

Control strategic seas and land areas to gain power

Keep OTHER countries from gaining them

Resources and Strategic Areas: Where are the important geographical areas to control? C o R R G R

British Landlords want to make money Require farmers to grow crops they can sell for money – not for food “ Cash Crops”

Cash Crops”. The agricultural products are grown primarily for exporting purposes. Products such as indigo, banana, pineapple, coffee or sugar cane are grown to be exported to developed countries. But what will we eat?

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Culture / Religion Belief in European / Christian superiority Desire to “spread civilization and Christianity to the heathens” Social Darwinism Prestige Whoever has the most must be the best “ He who dies with the most toys wins!”

Culture / Religion

Belief in European / Christian superiority

Desire to “spread civilization and Christianity to the heathens”

Social Darwinism

Prestige

Whoever has the most must be the best

“ He who dies with the most toys wins!”

“ The White Man’s Burden” Take up the White Man’s Burden-- Send forth the best ye breed-- Go bind your sons to exile To serve your captive’s need; To wait in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild-- Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half-devil and half-child. Take up the White Man’s Burden The savage wars of peace Fill full the mouth of famine And bid the sickness cease; And when you goal is nearest The end for others sought, Watch sloth and heathen folly Bring all your hopes to naught --Rudyard Kipling, 1899 Does the spirit of the poem make sense now?

Take up the White Man’s Burden--

Send forth the best ye breed--

Go bind your sons to exile

To serve your captive’s need;

To wait in heavy harness,

On fluttered folk and wild--

Your new-caught sullen peoples,

Half-devil and half-child.

Take up the White Man’s Burden

The savage wars of peace

Fill full the mouth of famine

And bid the sickness cease;

And when you goal is nearest

The end for others sought,

Watch sloth and heathen folly

Bring all your hopes to naught

--Rudyard Kipling, 1899

Social Darwinism and Imperialism Some thought the theory of evolution justified the exploitation of “lesser breeds” by “superior races.” Europeans (and Americans) would suggest that they had evolved more than Africans and Asians After all, our countries are more developed and richer – doesn’t that prove it? Thus, nature gave them the right to rule others.

Some thought the theory of evolution justified the exploitation of “lesser breeds” by “superior races.”

Europeans (and Americans) would suggest that they had evolved more than Africans and Asians

After all, our countries are more developed and richer – doesn’t that prove it?

Thus, nature gave them the right to rule others.

Social Darwinism Social Darwinists were blatantly racist. They applied evolution to the social order. Europeans felt they must “save the savages” and “civilize” them Missionaries sought to convert “heathen” unbelievers in faraway lands. “ The white man’s burden” – introducing civilization to the “colored” races of the world. In their view, war was nature’s way of eliminating the unfit. Using terms such as “survival of the fittest” Social Darwinists insisted that nations and races were engaged in a struggle for survival in which only the fittest survive and deserve to win.

Social Darwinists were blatantly racist.

They applied evolution to the social order.

Europeans felt they must “save the savages” and “civilize” them

Missionaries sought to convert “heathen” unbelievers in faraway lands.

“ The white man’s burden” – introducing civilization to the “colored” races of the world.

In their view, war was nature’s way of eliminating the unfit.

Using terms such as “survival of the fittest” Social Darwinists insisted that nations and races were engaged in a struggle for survival in which only the fittest survive and deserve to win.

Social Darwinism: Lasting Implications It promoted the military build-up that led to World War I. It would become the core doctrine of the Nazi party before World War II. Provided a “scientific” and “ethical” justification for genocides in the 20 th century.

It promoted the military build-up that led to World War I.

It would become the core doctrine of the Nazi party before World War II.

Provided a “scientific” and “ethical” justification for genocides in the 20 th century.

What is being advertised? Where is this taking place? How can you tell? What is going on? What does it tell us about imperialism / colonialism? Who was the queen at the time? Common advertisement during Imperialism

A British Merchant's Home in Colonial India

Britain (United Kingdom) Includes England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland 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) Populated mainly by people that moved there from Britain Given self-rule “ Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa) Under indirect rule Populated mainly by people who are native to the area Few people from Britain actually live there – but control the government

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) Populated mainly by people that moved there from Britain

Given self-rule

“ Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa)

Under indirect rule

Populated mainly by people who are native to the area

Few people from Britain actually live there – but control the government

All the territories the British ever owned Note: They also had a “sphere of influence” in China as well

France Northwest Africa and Southeast Asia Took colonies to make up for loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870 Tended to use “Direct Rule” Control all aspects of the colony from Paris.

Northwest Africa and Southeast Asia

Took colonies to make up for loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870

Tended to use “Direct Rule”

Control all aspects of the colony from Paris.

French Colonial Empire - 1905 Ignore these parts

Germany Bismarck originally opposed colonial expansion Unnecessary for Germany Did not want to threaten France or Britain Germany eventually took colonies in 1880s for status symbols In Africa and Asia

Bismarck originally opposed colonial expansion

Unnecessary for Germany

Did not want to threaten France or Britain

Germany eventually took colonies in 1880s for status symbols

In Africa and Asia

United States Did not get involved in European affairs Became colonial power after 1898 Spanish-American War U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend influence into Latin America

Did not get involved in European affairs

Became colonial power after 1898

Spanish-American War

U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines

Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend influence into Latin America

American Territorial Expansion after 1898

Case Study #1 Imperialism in Africa

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 Initially difficult to get to interior due to geography

Europe had been interested in Africa for centuries

Through the slave trade

Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s

European influence restricted to coastline

Initially difficult to get to interior due to geography

Technology Encourages Europeans to explore African interior Steamboats Advances in medicine Quinine – stops malaria Suez Canal

Steamboats

Advances in medicine

Quinine – stops malaria

Suez Canal

Geographical Impact of the Suez Canal, 1869 AFRICA EUROPE Suez Canal EAST ASIA Indian Ocean 16,000 KM 10,000 KM

Scramble for Africa By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control France Northwest Africa Britain from Egypt to South Africa Belgium in the Congo Italy in Libya and Eastern Africa Portugal in southern Africa Germany in scattered areas Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground rules for European colonization of Africa

By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control

France Northwest Africa

Britain from Egypt to South Africa

Belgium in the Congo

Italy in Libya and Eastern Africa

Portugal in southern Africa

Germany in scattered areas

Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground rules for European colonization of Africa

Berlin Conference A scramble threatened European stability. Bismarck called an international conference in Berlin in 1884 to lay some ground rules for the development of Africa. They made the Congo a free trade zone Outlawed slavery and the slave trade that the Arabs and Africans were still practicing.

A scramble threatened European stability.

Bismarck called an international conference in Berlin in 1884 to lay some ground rules for the development of Africa.

They made the Congo a free trade zone

Outlawed slavery and the slave trade that the Arabs and Africans were still practicing.

Before European colonization of Africa in 1880

Africa 1914

Scramble for Africa Consequences Traditional way of life disrupted Economic exploitation of Africans European racism imported into Africa Spread of European culture Spread of Western technology

Consequences

Traditional way of life disrupted

Economic exploitation of Africans

European racism imported into Africa

Spread of European culture

Spread of Western technology

Conquest of Africa The consequences of European partitioning (dividing up) of the continent were devastating to Africa newly drawn borders don’t match up with ethnicity, language, culture of people living there. In the decades before World War I, opposition to European colonial rule in Africa gathered strength.

The consequences of European partitioning (dividing up) of the continent were devastating to Africa

newly drawn borders don’t match up with ethnicity, language, culture of people living there.

In the decades before World War I, opposition to European colonial rule in Africa gathered strength.

How do you control your empire??

British in South Africa Dutch had first settled the Cape Colony in South Africa Dutch settlers called Boers (Dutch word for “farmer”) Early 1800s -British take over South Africa from Dutch Boers move north into the Transvaal Area to get away from British Transvaal “ The Great Trek”

Dutch had first settled the Cape Colony in South Africa

Dutch settlers called Boers (Dutch word for “farmer”)

Early 1800s -British take over South Africa from Dutch

Boers move north into the Transvaal Area to get away from British

British in South Africa Native Zulus and Dutch fighting British push into Zulu’s lands Dutch Boers ally w/ Brits Zulu land

Native Zulus and Dutch fighting

British push into Zulu’s lands

Dutch Boers ally w/ Brits

The Zulu Wars British pick a fight with Zulus You lose some, you win some Isandlwana Rorke’s Drift

British pick a fight with Zulus

You lose some, you win some

Rorke’s Drift

Discovery of Gold! 1880s Boers find gold and diamonds on their new lands in the “Transvaal” area Brits want that gold and diamonds The “Boer War”

1880s Boers find gold and diamonds on their new lands in the “Transvaal” area

Brits want that gold and diamonds

The “Boer War”

New methods of warfare Boers use guerrilla tactics Hit and run Operate in small units called “ commando’s” British counter this by rounding up Boer in “concentration camps” to keep an eye on them Remember this one – it will come back again

Boers use guerrilla tactics

Hit and run

Operate in small units called

“ commando’s”

British counter this by rounding up Boer in “concentration camps” to keep an eye on them

Remember this one – it will come back again

End of the Boer War British win and consolidate their lands in South Africa Eventually South Africa is given autonomy Most of the white settlers in South Africa are Dutch, but the land is owned by Britain. Most of the population is black Minority, white dominated, government establishes system of “Apartheid” Complete separation of the races Non-whites made into second class citizens in their own land Stays in place until 1996 when international pressure forces South Africa to eliminate Apartheid

British win and consolidate their lands in South Africa

Eventually South Africa is given autonomy

Most of the white settlers in South Africa are Dutch, but the land is owned by Britain.

Most of the population is black

Minority, white dominated, government establishes system of “Apartheid”

Complete separation of the races

Non-whites made into second class citizens in their own land

Stays in place until 1996 when international pressure forces South Africa to eliminate Apartheid

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 Sepoy Mutiny Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co Rebellion put down by British army British government takes over control from British East India Co.

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

Sepoy Mutiny

Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co

Rebellion put down by British army

British government takes over control from British East India Co.

Map of Imperialism in Asia

Growth of British Power in India

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

Consequences of British Imperialism in India

British educational system established

Spread of English language

Railroads tie India together

Rise of Indian middle class

European Imperialism in Asia China Potentially huge market Closed to European trade until 1800s Opium War (1840) Britain forces China to open trade to opium By 1900, China divided into European “spheres of influence” Parts of China under European control Chinese monarchy seriously weakened

China

Potentially huge market

Closed to European trade until 1800s

Opium War (1840)

Britain forces China to open trade to opium

By 1900, China divided into European “spheres of influence”

Parts of China under European control

Chinese monarchy seriously weakened

Reaction to Imperialism Rise of Nationalist Movements India Indian National Congress (1885) Group of middle class Indians begin to demand independence (Mohandas Gandhi) China Boxer Rebellion (1900) Nationalist Party

Rise of Nationalist Movements

India

Indian National Congress (1885)

Group of middle class Indians begin to demand independence (Mohandas Gandhi)

China

Boxer Rebellion (1900)

Nationalist Party

Reaction to Imperialism Japan Long isolated from Western trade U.S. opens Japan to trade in 1854 Meiji Restoration (1868) Faction overthrows Shogun and restores Emperor to power Japan imports Western ideas and technology Ever see ….

Japan

Long isolated from Western trade

U.S. opens Japan to trade in 1854

Meiji Restoration (1868)

Faction overthrows Shogun and restores Emperor to power

Japan imports Western ideas and technology

Ever see ….

Reaction to Imperialism Japan adopts imperialism by 1890s Defeats China in 1895 Takes over Taiwan Defeats Russia in 1905 Gains control of Korea Japanese imperialism worries Europeans “ Yellow Peril”

Japan adopts imperialism by 1890s

Defeats China in 1895

Takes over Taiwan

Defeats Russia in 1905

Gains control of Korea

Japanese imperialism worries Europeans

“ Yellow Peril”

Conclusion Different reasons for European imperialism during late nineteenth century European imperialism causes reactions in Africa and Asia European imperialism disrupts traditional way of life and continues to affect the world today

Different reasons for European imperialism during late nineteenth century

European imperialism causes reactions in Africa and Asia

European imperialism disrupts traditional way of life and continues to affect the world today

Nations gaining independence post-WWII

Decolonisation A troublesome experience 1. The economic problems they inherited 2. The need to find political systems that work for the individual nations.

A troublesome experience

1. The economic problems they inherited

2. The need to find political systems that work for the individual nations.

Popular perceptions of Colonialism (arguments for and against) Impact of Imperialism Imperialism did: Created infrastructure in colonies - eg British railway systems Increase levels of formal education (albeit not universally) Gave people access to Western medicines and hospitals (but sometimes only after introducing Western viruses) Bring with it ideas of freedom and liberty in the sense that the European colonial countries were almost all liberal democracies. Plunder natural resources Create of dual economies Create the loss of independent political power Eventually bring about ‘imperial over-reach’

Impact of Imperialism

Imperialism did:

Created infrastructure in colonies - eg British railway systems

Increase levels of formal education (albeit not universally)

Gave people access to Western medicines and hospitals (but sometimes only after introducing Western viruses)

Bring with it ideas of freedom and liberty in the sense that the European colonial countries were almost all liberal democracies.

Plunder natural resources

Create of dual economies

Create the loss of independent political power

Eventually bring about ‘imperial over-reach’

Criticisms of Imperialism Colonialism as a Theory of oppression: Colonialism is a distinctly western evil The west became rich and the colonies became impoverished. The descendants of colonialism are worse off than they would’ve been if colonialism had never occurred. Walter Rodney : “White hoards have sallied forth from their western homelands to assault, loot, occupy, rule and exploit the world. Even now the fury of their expansionist assault on the rest of us has not abated” Activists such as Jesse Jackson have called on the west to pay repatriations for slavery and colonialism to minorities of the third world. The West is in possession of the ‘stolen goods’ of other cultures and has a moral and legal obligation to make some form of repayment. The above notions suggest that the west became dominant because it was oppressive.

Colonialism as a Theory of oppression:

Colonialism is a distinctly western evil

The west became rich and the colonies

became impoverished.

The descendants of colonialism are worse off than

they would’ve been if colonialism had never occurred.

Walter Rodney : “White hoards have sallied forth from

their western homelands to assault, loot, occupy, rule

and exploit the world. Even now the fury of their

expansionist assault on the rest of us has not abated”

Activists such as Jesse Jackson have called on the west to pay repatriations for slavery and colonialism to minorities of the third world.

The West is in possession of the ‘stolen goods’ of other cultures and has a moral and legal obligation to make some form of repayment.

The above notions suggest that the west

became dominant because it was oppressive.

Arguments In Defence of colonialism There is nothing uniquely Western about imperialism . E.g.. India was preceded by at least six colonial powers. Those who identify imperialism with the West have no sense of history. The West did not become rich and powerful through colonial oppression.

There is nothing uniquely Western about imperialism

. E.g.. India was preceded by at least six colonial powers.

Those who identify imperialism with the West have no sense of history.

The West did not become rich and powerful through colonial oppression.

In Defence Of Colonialism Science It is a basic shared human trait. But science, requiring experiments, labs, the scientific method, induction, verification – THE INVENTION OF INVENTION – is a western institution. Democracy Tribal participation is universal but democracy involving free elections, peaceful transitions of power, and separation of powers is a western idea Capitalism Again the impulse to trade is universal, and there is nothing western about the use of money, but capitalism – which requires property rights, contracts, courts to enforce them, corporations, stock exchanges, patents, insurance -, this practice was developed in the west. Colonialism and imperialism are not the cause of the west’s success; they are the results of that success.

Science

It is a basic shared human trait. But science, requiring experiments, labs, the scientific method, induction, verification – THE INVENTION OF INVENTION – is a western institution.

Democracy

Tribal participation is universal but democracy involving free elections, peaceful transitions of power, and separation of powers is a western idea

Capitalism

Again the impulse to trade is universal, and there is nothing western about the use of money, but capitalism – which requires property rights, contracts, courts to enforce them, corporations, stock exchanges, patents, insurance -, this practice was developed in the west.

Colonialism and imperialism are not the cause of the west’s success;

they are the results of that success.

THE END DON’T BE COLONISING ANYONE!!!

DON’T BE COLONISING ANYONE!!!