Imperialism Case Studies: India, Congo, and China

What period is referred to as the British Raj in India?

The period after 1857 when India was ruled directly by the British government.

Why was India considered the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the British Empire?

Because of its valuable resources and strategic importance.

What infrastructure did Britain build in India during the colonial period?

Railroads and universities.

Who was the primary leader of the Indian independence movement?

Mohandas K. Gandhi.

What strategy did Gandhi promote for the independence movement?

Satyagraha, or non-violent civil disobedience.

What significant event did Gandhi lead that involved a boycott of British goods?

The Salt March.

What major conflict arose during the independence movement in India?

Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

What happened in India in 1947 regarding independence?

India gained independence through partition, creating India and Pakistan.

What was a major consequence of the partition of India?

Massive violence, killing up to 2 million people and creating 15 million refugees.

What political legacy did British rule leave in India?

India became the world's largest democracy with a government modeled after the British system.

What was the Congo Free State?

The personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium from 1885-1908.

What was the focus of King Leopold II's rule in the Congo?

Extracting rubber and ivory.

What was the result of international outrage regarding the Congo Free State?

Belgium took over the administration in 1908.

Who was the charismatic leader of the Congolese independence movement?

Patrice Lumumba.

What was the outcome of the Congo's independence in 1960?

Congo gained independence without preparation, leading to chaos.

What political instability followed the independence of Congo?

The assassination of Lumumba and the rise of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

What is the 'Resource Curse' in the context of Congo?

Congo is rich in minerals but its people remain among the poorest.

What was the 'Century of Humiliation' in China?

A period of foreign domination and exploitation following the Opium Wars.

What were the 'unequal treaties' imposed on China?

Treaties that gave foreign powers control over Chinese port cities and trade.

Who led the Nationalists (Kuomintang) in China?

Sun Yat-sen and later Chiang Kai-shek.

What was the outcome of the Chinese Civil War?

The Communists, led by Mao Zedong, won and established the People's Republic of China in 1949.

What political legacy did imperialism leave in China?

A deep desire for a strong, unified, and respected nation.

What economic system did Mao establish in China?

A state-controlled economy.

How does the 'Century of Humiliation' influence modern China?

It fosters nationalism and justifies government actions to maintain territorial integrity.

What is imperialism?

Imperialism is when a stronger nation takes control of a weaker region's political, economic, or social systems.

What is colonialism?

Colonialism is establishing settlements and direct rule over a region, such as British India.

What does 'sphere of influence' mean?

It refers to controlling trade and investment in a region without full takeover, as seen in China.

What is a protectorate?

A protectorate is when local rulers remain in place but are under foreign control, like Egypt under Britain.

By 1914, what percentage of the world's land surface was controlled by Europe?

Over 85%.

What economic motives drove imperialism?

The demand for raw materials and new markets for manufactured goods due to the Industrial Revolution.

How did nationalism influence imperialism?

Nationalism fueled competition for prestige and power, with empires seen as symbols of national greatness.

What was the 'White Man's Burden'?

The belief that Europeans had a moral duty to 'civilize' non-Western peoples.

What role did missionaries play in imperialism?

Missionaries aimed to spread Christianity and Western education, often working with colonial governments.

How did imperial powers justify their actions?

They claimed to bring progress and civilization, promoting the idea of 'superior races' and using technology as proof.

What was the Berlin Conference?

The 1884-85 conference where European powers divided Africa among themselves.

What was the significance of the Suez Canal for Britain?

It was crucial for trade with India, enhancing Britain's control over maritime routes.

What technological advancements aided imperialism?

Military innovations like rifles and machine guns, steamships for faster travel, and telegraphs for instant communication.

What was the human cost of King Leopold II's rule in the Congo?

An estimated 10 million deaths due to violence, disease, and famine.

What was the economic impact of British rule in India?

India supplied raw materials and became a market for British manufactured goods, leading to the collapse of local industries.

What was the outcome of the Opium Wars for China?

China lost to Britain, leading to the Treaty of Nanking which opened ports to Western nations.

What were the consequences of China's semi-colonial status?

Economic exploitation and widespread addiction due to the opium trade, leading to rebellions like the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions.

What was the role of quinine in imperialism?

Quinine protected Europeans against malaria, enabling deeper penetration into Africa.

What was the impact of railroads in British India?

Railroads connected regions primarily to move goods for export, benefiting British economic interests.

What was the significance of the term 'Jewel in the Crown'?

It referred to India as Britain's most profitable colony.

What was the cultural impact of imperialism in India?

Western education and legal systems were introduced, but British views led to cultural tensions and nationalist movements.

What was the Taiping Rebellion?

A civil war against Qing rule in China from 1850 to 1864, fueled by resentment towards foreign influence.

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

An anti-foreign uprising in China in 1900, which was crushed by Western powers.

What was the role of maps in imperialism?

Maps facilitated trade, communication, and military control by showing railroads, telegraphs, and steamship routes.