Download Imperialism in Africa - Scott County Schools

1880-1914

Imperialism = one
country’s
domination of
political, economic,
and social life of
another country


Political  rival
European countries
(nationalism)
Economic demand
for raw materials
and markets for
goods (competition,
Industrial
Revolution)

Ideological  European
religious fervor, feelings
of racial/cultural
superiority = Europeans
wanted to impose their
cultures on others


(Social Darwinism): idea
that some races were more
“evolved” than others
“The White Man’s
Burden” – duty of
Europeans to civilize
“backward” people, spread
Christianity and Western
ideals/values


Religious  desire
to spread
Christianity,
Exploratory 
scientific/medical
research, have
adventure,
investigate
unknown
land/culture

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
Colony – directly
ruled by an imperial
power thru colonial
officials
Protectorate – has its
own govt, but
“guided” by a foreign
power
Sphere of Influence –
region where an
imperial power has
exclusive
investment/trading
rights
1880-1914, European countries claimed
most parts of Africa for their own
 1885 – European nations
met in Berlin, Germany
and agreed to split
(partition) Africa amongst
themselves
(Berlin Conference)
 By 1914, Europe
controlled 90% of Africa


Invaded Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia), and
Morocco in Northern Africa
Controlled Egypt, Sudan, South Africa
 Desired to control a
portion of Africa all the
way from North to South
(“From Cairo to
Capetown” was the motto)

Analyzing
Political
Cartoons


By 1900, Liberia was the only independent state
in West Africa.
Ethiopia was also independent (kicked out the
Italians when led by King Menelik II)

King Leopold II (Belgium) claimed Congo as
his own private plantation; enslaved the people
brutally for 20 years; then gave the plantation
to the Belgian government



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Harmed land by
mining, factories,
logging
Paid Africans low
wages, and
imposed high
taxes
Men housed in
dorms away from
families

Schools taught
that European
ways were best
By early 1900s,
elite Africans
began to
condemn
imperialism as
against European
ideals of liberty,
equality,
nationalism

Controlled by British East India Company (a
privately-owned joint stock company)
Army led by British
officials- made up of Indian
soldiers.

India seen as the
“jewel in the crown”
 British resists India’s
economy from operating
on its own.
 British build railroadset up plantations


Tea, indigo, coffee, opium
 Sold opium to China

Negative




British control political/economic issues
Reduction of food production = famine
Threatened traditional life
Positive



Railroads
Sanitation and public health improved
Schools/Colleges

Rumor that cartridges for new rifles greased
with beef and pork fat

What problem would this pose?
Sepoy Rebellion (1857) – soldiers rebel
 British gov’t moves in, gains control of India
 Nationalism
grows as British
use India for their
reasons, not what
is best for India
(Gandhi leads
peaceful
rebellions)


Westernization – to adopt aspects of European
(western) civilization (examples: industrialize,
democracy, etc.)




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Both countries had contact with European nations
in the 1800s
China’s government assumed they were stronger
than Europe
Britain began importing Opium into China to buy
tea, which China didn’t like
Britain badly beat China in the Opium War
(1840s)
China was surprised by Europe’s strength
China rejected Westernization and was slowly
made into spheres of influence by European
nations

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Japan was isolationist (closed to foreigners) from
1600-1850s
American gunboats came to Japan and forced
them to open to trade (1850s)
Japan saw how China was treated and decided to
Westernized their military, government, schools,
etc.
Japan, by modernizing, was able to compete with
Europe and was never taken over
Japan beat China, then Russia in a war
Russo-Japanese was (1905) – first time an Asian
nation beat a European nation