Chapter 17: Imperialism

Ch. 17 Sec. 1: Roots of Western Imperialism

What is Imperialism?

• When one country takes control of another country’s government, trade, or culture

• Colonization

• Begins because of Nationalism – love for one’s country

Why Imperialize?

1. Economic – need for raw materials and markets; wanted to make more money

2. Cultural – spread Christianity

- “white man’s burden” – sums up attitude of Western Europeans toward non-western Europeans

3. Political – colonies viewed as a source of military strength and power

Types of Control (Colonies)

1. Settlement Colonies – large groups of people from one country move to another country

2. Dependent Colonies – European people ruled non-European people without living there

Control cont…

3. Protectorates – local ruler keeps title but area actually controlled by Europeans

4. Spheres of Influence – one nation had a special interest in a small area of the country and so took it over

Ch. 17 Sec. 2

European Claims in North Africa

French Claims in N. Africa

• At one time, most of Africa was colonized by European Nations

• France and Great Britain controlled many countries in North Africa

• Areas were prime location for trade– Strait of Gibraltar, Suez Canal

Suez Canal

• Egypt allowed a French colony to begin building the Suez Canal

• Egypt owned stock in company but could not afford to keep it

• Sold stock to Great Britain which gave them control over the canal

Fashoda Crisis

• Sudan was an Egyptian colony that interested both Great Britain and France

• Before the countries could act, the Sudan had a revolution

• Britain and France both stepped in to try to stop the Revolution and ended up battling each other at Fashoda

• France gave in to Great Britain• Became known as the Fashoda Crisis

Ch. 17 Sec. 3

European Claims in Sub-Saharan Africa

West Africa

• West Africa was attractive because it was a major center for slave trade

• Once slavery was abolished it became centers for rubber, ivory, palm oil trade

Central and East Africa

• Central and East Africa became popular because journalist Henry Stanley wrote a newspaper article exposing the riches of the area

• King Leopold II of Belgium took over the area known as the Congo

• Known as Imperialism at its worst because he was only interested in making money, not preserving the land

South Africa

• Europeans settled in S. Africa in 1652

• Dutch founded Cape Town as a supply station for those sailing to East Indies

• Grew into Cape Colony

• Cape Colony seized by British in 1800s

Boer War

• Many people fled Cape Colony when Britain took over – “Great Trek”

• People called Boers and spoke language called Afrikaans

• Moved into new territories settled by Zulu and tried to take their land

• Britain sided with Boers to help them defeat Zulu

Boer War cont…

• British wanted to move into Boer territory when diamonds were discovered

• war broke out• British defeated Boers and began mining for

diamonds and controlling Boers• Began apartheid in South Africa• Apartheid – government policy of

segregation and economic exploitation in South Africa

Effect of Imperialism on Africa

1. Paternalism – system of governing colonies in same way parents guide children

2. New crops and farming methods3. New medicine4. Roads and railroads built5. Communication improved6. Assimilation – people give up their own culture

completely and adopt another culture• Did not happen in many African nations

Ch. 17 Sec. 4

Expansion in Asia

British in India

• British took over India using divide and rule method

• Improved life in India– Roads, bridges, railroads– Factories, hospitals, schools– Improved farming methods

Rise of Indian Nationalism

• British thought of themselves as superior• 1800s Indians wanted self-rule• Divided on approach to independence:

– Work towards independence gradually and keep some aspects of western culture

– Break all ties with Great Britain and its western influence

• Alarmed Indian Muslims because British protected them from violence

Japanese response to Imperialism• Japan controlled own government even

though they were influenced by Western Ideas

• Industrialized very quickly

• Encouraged to study western ways

Meiji Restoration

• Change in government when emperor was returned to power in Japan

• Government made many improvements:1. Changed Social Classes

2. Required Education

3. New Constitution – voting rights to property owners– Created two-house legislature called the Diet

Sino-Japanese War

• Fought between China and Japan over Korea• Japan won because they were more

modernized• Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the war in

1895– Korea became independent– Japan gained control of Taiwan and part of

Manchuria– Japan won right to trade in China

Ch. 17 Sec. 5

Imperialism in Latin America

Economic Imperialism

• US and Europe were buying many products from Latin America (L.A.)

• Began investing money into businesses • Business owners took money home

instead of spending it there, hurting the economy

• L.A. countries had to borrow money from Europe and US

Spanish American War

• Began in 1898 because Cuba wanted independence from Spain

• Explosion of USS Maine caused US to enter war

• US won taking over Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam

US Control over Cuba• US built roads and

schools• Improved health care• Platt Amendment

written into constitution– Said Cuba could not

transfer any land other than to US

– Gave US right to intervene in Cuban affairs

– Gave us right to have a naval base in Cuba

Panama Canal

• French began building canal but ran out of money

• US helped in Panama’s revolt against Columbia, and gained rights to the canal

• Panama Canal opened in 1914

Roosevelt Corollary

• US had to protect the Panama Canal

• T. Roosevelt instated the Roosevelt Corollary to protect Latin American countries– Said that US would protect any country that

was in danger in the western hemisphere

Mexico’s Revolution

• Mexico went through a series of revolutions

• Americans were afraid that the revolts would cause them to lose money in their investments

• Wanted Wilson to send troops to Mexico

Revolution cont…

• Wilson waited until US soldiers were arrested in Mexico

• US sent troops and cut off supplies and money to Mexico until the rebels gave up

• Rebel leader Pancho Villa would not give up

Revolution cont…

• He led rebels into the US and raided a town in New Mexico killing 12 Americans

• Wilson sent troops back in to Mexico after Villa, but eventually withdrew focusing on the war in Europe (World War I)