Download Chapter 27: The Age of Imperialism, 1850 – 1914 Chapter 27.1: The

Chapter 27: The Age of Imperialism, 1850 – 1914
Chapter 27.1: The Scramble for Africa
The Industrial Revolution caused a need for resources – many European
countries looked to Africa for these resources.
“Imperialism”: the seizure of a country/territory by a stronger country.
Forces Driving Imperialism
1. Europeans wanted raw materials and new markets for their goods.
2. National Pride: Europeans thought the bigger their empire was, the better.
“Social Darwinism”: survival of the fittest – those fittest for survival
(Europeans) would enjoy wealth/success and were superior (“racism”).
*It was Europe’s right and duty to bring progress to Africa.
3. Missionaries: tried to convert/civilize foreign people to Christianity.
Factors Promoting Imperialism in Africa
Several factors allowed Europeans to conquer African lands:
Machine guns – steam engines allowed travel and control of Africa’s interior
– railroads and cables allowed communication – quinine drug protected
Europeans from disease – disunity among African groups made them weak.
Berlin Conference:
Competition for African lands was so fierce, Europeans feared war amongst
themselves. In 1884, 14 European nations held the “Berlin Conference”:
rules for dividing Africa – all agreed that any European country could claim
land in Africa by notifying other nations of its claims and showing that it
could control the area. No African representatives were at this conference.
Africa was instantly conquered by European countries that stole gold,
diamonds, copper, tin, and set up plantations for peanuts, cocoa, and rubber.
Belgium took over Congo – “Belgian Congo” was 80 larger than Belgium.
France took over most of northwest Africa.
England took over southern and eastern Africa after winning the “Boer
War” (against the Dutch).
Chapter 27.2: Imperialism
Europeans paid no attention to African history or tradition – all they cared
about was controlling their new lands, people, and resources.
During the exploration period of the 15th and 16th centuries, Europeans did
not seek to control all aspects of society – in this period of imperialism,
Europeans wanted to control everything.
Forms of Imperialism:
1. “Colony”: a country/territory governed internally by a foreign power.
2. “Protectorate”: a country/territory with its own internal government but
under control of an outside power.
Methods of Management:
Two basic methods of management occurred within Africa:
1. Indirect Control (British): Local leaders were asked to accept European
authority, but still rule their people. Colonial leaders would train local
leaders the European form of government – in time, local people could rule
themselves.
2. Direct Control (French): Europeans viewed Africans as unable to govern
themselves. They practice “paternalism”: Europeans governed people in a
parental way by providing for their needs but not giving them rights (did not
train locals how to rule themselves).
The French also supported “assimilation”: a stronger nation forcing a
conquered people to adopt its culture. They patterned all schools, courts, and
businesses in Africa after French institutions.
African people tried to resist European imperialism with military and
religious action – Ethiopia was the only nation that did so (had weapons
and smart political leaders – Menelik II)
The Legacy of Colonial Rule in Africa:
Positive Effects: Reduced local warfare – improved sanitation, hospitals,
and schools – improved infrastructure (railroads, dams, telegraph/telephone
lines)
Negative Effects: Africans lost lands and independence – many died in
wars and from European diseases – traditional African culture was lost – the
continent of Africa was divided.
*Many of these negative effects continue to plague Africa today.
Chapter 27.3: Europeans Claim Muslim Lands
Europeans began to claim territory around the Mediterranean Sea and
within the Middle East because of “geopolitics”: interest in/taking of land
for its strategic location of products.
Wars were fought for resources, including the “Crimean War” in which
Russia was defeated by the combined forces of Great Britain, France, and
the Ottoman Empire – eventually, the Ottoman Empire would fall and its
eastern European territories were split amongst other countries.
Egypt began to reform in order to keep its independence – its strategic
location at the head of the Red Sea was valuable for trade. In 1869, it
opened the “Suez Canal”: human-made waterway that connected the Red
and Mediterranean Seas.
*Egypt’s reforms were too costly and it couldn’t pay back loans – eventually
it was occupied by Britain as a result.
Chapter 27.4: British Imperialism in India
Great Britain and the East India Company had been in control of India for a
long period of time. Before the 19th century, Britain allowed the East India
Company to govern the area as it saw fit. Eventually, Britain realized that
India had vast raw materials and decided to take over. India became known
as the “jewel in the crown”: most valuable colony of England.
Almost instantly, British policies called for:
1. India to produce raw materials for British manufacturing
2. India to buy British-made goods (Indian competition was also prohibited)
Britain opened huge plantations in India a harvested tea, coffee, cotton and
opium.
Impact of Colonialism in India:
(+) : developed modern economy, infrastructure, literacy rates increased
because more school were opened, and public health increased overall.
(–) : no economic/political power, loss of self-sufficiency (totally dependent
on Britain), and famines resulted (needed food wasn’t grown, only cash
crops).
Nationalism in India:
Eventually, Indians began to resent the British – especially because of
constant racism that the British expressed toward them. Indians could not
unite against the British due to weak leadership and religious differences
amongst the people (Muslims and Hindus).
Indian mutinies eventually forced British governments to take direct control
of India – the part of India that was under direct control was called the Raj.
“Raj”: referred to British rule over India from 1757 to 1947.
In the 1800s, Indians demanded change as feelings of nationalism began to
grow within its people – in the end, India would gain its independence after
years of living under colonial rule through nationalist groups and its
members.
Chapter 27.5: Imperialism in Southeast Asia
European countries rushed to split up Southeast Asia just like they split up
Africa, which were part of the “Pacific Rim”: countries that border the
Pacific Ocean.
*This area was important because of its strategic trade location – these
lands were also a great source of tropical agriculture, minerals and oil.
The British took over the Malay Peninsula (and the trading harbor of
Singapore). They needed workers to mine and cut trees so they encouraged
the Chinese to immigrate. The Malays became a minority in their own
country – conflict still exists today.
The French took control of “French Indochina” (Laos, Cambodia, and
Vietnam) and used direct control management (all French government) –
they did not encourage local industry and the local people suffered.
*Siam (Thailand) managed to stay independent even though it laid between British and
French lands – it even made progress as it learned from these 2 cultures.
Colonial Impact: economies grew, transportation and communication
(railroads, telegraph lines), health, sanitation, and education improved.
United States Imperialism in the Pacific Islands:
The United States was typically against imperialism, but 2 groups pf
Americans supported the idea: empire builders (wanted power) and
business leaders (wanted money)
The United States acquired the Philippine Islands after the SpanishAmerican War (1898) – it promised to prepare them for self-rule. The U.S.
built roads, hospitals, etc but also grew and exported sugar at the expense of
basic food crops causing starvation amongst the people after granted
independence.
Hawaii: The United States was interested in importing cheap sugar from
Hawaii. When the United States was stripped of its political power in
Hawaii, American business men plotted to overthrow Hawaiian government
and eventually “annexed”: added the territory to the United States.