Imperialism (1800-1914)

Chapter 21 Sections 1-3

What is imperialism?What is imperialism?

The extension of a nation’s power over other lands Goal is to extend the nation’s power and dominate world

politics and economicsWhy did imperialism increase after 1880?

Wanted more markets and raw materials for their industries and direct control of these areas

Gain advantage, politically and economically, over rivals

Racism and Social DarwinismReligious motives – responsibility to civilize primitive

people

Imperialism in Southeast AsiaBy 1900, Southeast Asia was almost entirely

run by Western countriesGreat Britain

Founded colony of Singapore in 1819 Became a major trade port

Expanded west to protect possessions in India and to create trade route through southern China Takes control over Burma

British Colonial Empire

Imperialism in Southeast AsiaFrance

France has missionaries in Vietnam Alarmed by Britain’s move to monopolize trade To stop British from moving into Vietnam, forced

Vietnamese to accept French protectionVietnam becomes a French protectorate

A political unit that depends on another government for its protection

Extends control to Cambodia and LaosThailand (Siam) remains free

Imperialism in Southeast AsiaUnited States

Spanish-American War (1898) President McKinley believed it was his moral

obligation to civilize other parts of the world Philippines becomes an American colony

United States

France

Ruling the ColoniesGoverned by either direct rule or indirect

ruleIndirect rule – Local rulers are allowed to

maintain their positions of authority and statues Lower cost of government Less effect on local culture

Direct rule – Local elites are removed from power and replaced by a new set of rulers brought from the mother country Used when local officials resisted the foreign

conquest

Colonial EconomiesColonial powers didn’t want colonists

developing their own industriesStressed the export of raw materials

Workers’ wages kept low on plantations to increase owner’s profitsThousands died due to unhealthy conditions

Colonial rule did bring some benefitsBuilt railroads, highwaysCreation of an entrepreneurial class in colonies

Some wealth in colonies develops

Resistance to Colonial RuleInitial resistance comes from ruling class of

colonial countryPeasant revolts to resist being driven off their

landsThese movements initially fail

Beginning of 1900s a new resistance, based on nationalism, is more successful Begin trying to protect culture, interests of natives Later demand independence – 1930s

Empire Building in AfricaBetween 1880 and 1900, Africa becomes

dominated by European ruleWest Africa

Dominated by slave trade, but declines in the 1800s Slave trade illegal in United States and Britain

(1808)Growing European presence due to natural

resources Peanuts, timber, hides, palm oil

France controls much of West Africa

Empire Building in AfricaNorth Africa

Egyptians seeking independenceEuropeans want to build a canal to connect the

Mediterranean and Red Seas French sign a contract to build the Suez Canal

After canal is built, Britain takes an interest Saw is as their “lifeline to India” Britain eventually dominates North Africa

Empire Building in AfricaCentral Africa

Belgium dominates Central AfricaEast Africa

Britain and Germany are rivals in East Africa Berlin Conference allows both to stay – no African

delegates were presentSouth Africa

Area of largest population of white Europeans Dutch (aka Boers) and British dominate, battle with

Zulu British battle with Dutch and Zulu, win and create an

independent Union of South Africa

Colonial Rule in AfricaBy 1914, only independent African countries

were Liberia and EthiopiaMost European governments ruled with

indirect ruleBritain used this in most areas, while other

nations used a form of direct rule

Rise of African NationalismNew class of leaders emerges in Africa in

1900sEducated in colonial schools or Western

countriesEager to introduce Western ideas and

institutionsResented foreigners and their arrogance

Recognized gap between theory and practice in colonial policies of democracy and equality

Europeans express superiority in many waysSegregated facilitiesLower salaries for Africans than Europeans in

same jobs

Sepoy MutinyBritish East India Company had its own

soldiers, but also hired sepoys, Indian soldiers, to protect the company’s interests in the regions

1857 – growing distrust of British led to a revoltImmediate cause was a rumor about new

bullets Sepoys refused to use them and were arrested Sepoys went on a rampage and killed 50 Europeans

Revolt spread quickly, casualties high on both sides

Parliament transferred power to British governmentPeople of India were now colonial subjects

British Colonial Rule in IndiaBritish government ruled India directly through a

viceroy, a governor who rules as the representative of a monarch

Benefits of British ruleBrought order and stability to a country dividedNew school system was set upIntroduced railroads, telegraph, postal service

Costs of British ruleBritish manufactured goods destroyed local industryForced farmers to grow cotton rather than food,

decreasing the food supplyDisrespect for Indian culture

Indian Nationalist MovementFirst Indian nationalists were upper class and

English-educatedPushed for reform first, but it was too slow-

moving, so turned to revolutionIndian National Congress (INC)

Worked toward independence for all IndiansStill not very successful

Mahandas Ghandi brings new life to struggle for independenceMovement based on nonviolent resistance would

eventually bring independence to India

Imperialism