Imperialism
The World at a Glance
Objectives for the lecture
• At the end of this lecture students will understand 19th and early 20th century imperialism by analyzing the following:• The historical background.• How can it be explained?• Where did it occur?
WHAT WAS THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Imperialism Defined
• Before explaining the historical background, we need a working definition
Imperialism Defined
• The policy of extending a nation’s authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.
• (hegemony=authority, power, dominion)
Background
• Expansionism has occurred in at least 3 waves:• Colonial empires in the Age of Discovery
that gave us heroes such as
Background
• Expansionism has occurred in at least 3 waves:• Colonial empires in the Age of Discovery • Imperialism of the end of the late 19th
century that gave us
OR
Background
• Expansionism has occurred in at least 3 waves:• Colonial empires in the Age of Discovery • Imperialism of the end of the late 19th
century• And our current state of affairs today
Background
• 1st phase- explorers, merchants, & priests traversed the globe
• Spain, Portugal, England, & France leading colonial powers
• European empires gone from America• Only GB retained American empire in
name
Background
• However, Europeans not determined to build empires
• Concern was commerce• Trade with natives
Background
• 19th Century – Europe focused energies on:
Background
• 19th Century – Europe focused energies on:• Nation-building
Background
• 19th Century – Europe focused energies on:• Nation-building• The Industrial Revolution
Background
• 19th Century – Europe focused energies on:• Nation-building• The Industrial Revolution• Conflict between liberalism and
conservatism• Colonialism was an afterthought
Background
• After 1870, the Western world expanded again
• Swooping down upon the globe and figuratively devouring it
• The West had to possess- trade agreements not enough
• Invested in colonies• Built RRs • Imposed European values
WHAT EXPLAINS THIS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED
DEVELOPMENT?
An explanation
• Economics figured prominently• Colonies promised:
• Inexpensive raw materials• Cheap labor• Guaranteed markets
• Political considerations• Christianity• Western perception of perceived
superiority
The Technological Imperative
• Regardless of the why, success rested on:• Technology and organizational
predominance• Efficient military formations• Modern rifles• Maxim (machine guns)
• Battle of Obderman, Sudan 1898 British slaughtered 11,000 tribesman
Global phenomenon
• Late 19th century imperialism was indeed global
• The Middle East• Black Africa (different from say South
Africa)• But Asia was the prize, certainly for
America
Three most important Asian countrieswere:
Three most important Asian countrieswere:
Three most important Asian countrieswere:
Japan
• Until 1853, Japan lived in isolation• Commodore Matthew Perry changed
that – Gunboat Diplomacy• Japan had a revolution in 1867• Adopted western technology an
practices yet attempted to maintain their tradition