5. Imperialism

Imperialism

the maintaining and extending of power over foreign nations, particularly through expansionism

King Leopold of Belgium

Responsible for the abuses and exploitation of the African people in Congo.

Social Darwinism

survival of the fittest

Berlin Conference

Meeting with European countries to divide Africa into sections to take control of.

Boer War

• fought between the British and Dutch settlers (Boers) in South Africa

• British won and region became the Union of South Africa under British control

Sepoy Rebellion

• Indians refuse to use cartridges of new rifles for religious reasons (greased with beef/pork fat)

• Sepoys are jailed because of refusal to accept cartridges.

Raj

Paternalism

Action that limits a person's or group's liberty or autonomy against their will and is intended to promote their own good

Assimilation

the process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society

Menelik II☆

Menelik II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913. He is important during imperialism for successfully defending Ethiopia against Italian colonization at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, ensuring Ethiopia remained one of the few African nations to maintain its independence during the "Scramble for Africa." His leadership and military strategies played a key role in preserving Ethiopian sovereignty.

Maji Maji Rebellion

• an armed struggle against German colonial rule in German East Africa (now Tanzania)

• results in 75,000 deaths and famine kills twice as many

• belief magic water would turn bullets into water

Maxim Machine gun

Technological invention that promoted Imperialism in Africa

Direct Control

managing the colony through Europeans and tightly controlling governance

Indirect Control

allowed for local rulers to maintain authority under the oversight of the imperial power, often aiming for eventual self-governance

Sphere of Influence ☆

A foreign region in which a nation has control over trade and other economic activies

ex:The Japanese government directly governed events in Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and parts of Mainland China.

Colony

a territory subject to a form of foreign rule

Protectorate

a state or country that's protected by a larger, stronger one

Qing Dynasty

the last of the imperial dynasties of China, part of the Taiping rebellion

Opium War☆

• the British were smuggling opium from their Indian colonies into Chinese ports against the wishes of the Chinese government

• China looses the war to the more modern British Army

• Results in British control of Hong Kong and other nations win extraterritorial rights (foreigners are exempt of laws at Guangzhou and other ports)

Taiping Rebellion

• Civil War in China from 1850 to 1864 that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Million people

• fought between the Qing dynasty and the Taiping heavenly kingdom (led by Hong Xiuquan, basically communists)

• fueled by social unrest, economic hardship, and foreign interference

Commodore Matthew Perry☆

a U.S. naval officer who played a key role in opening Japan to the West in the mid-19th century. In 1853, he sailed to Japan with a fleet of steam-powered ships and forced Japan to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, ending its centuries-long policy of isolation. This event marked the beginning of Japan’s modernization and integration into global trade, influencing its rise as an imperial power.

Treaty of Kanagawa

opening trade with American vessels in some Japanese ports, protection for American sailors and vessels in Japan, and the formation of a US consulate in Japan

Russo-Japanese War

• Japan surprise attacks Russia in 1904 sparking the war

• Treaty of Portsmouth forces Russia to withdraw from Manchuria and stay out of Korea and Japan receives the captured territories

Meiji Restoration

Japan's new leaders embarked on a program of radical reform aimed at strengthening the country so it could resist the threat of European imperialism

Gunboat Diplomacy

Western powers – from Europe and the United States – would intimidate other, less powerful entities into granting concessions through a demonstration of Western superior military capabilities, usually represented by their naval

steam ships☆

Steamships are ships powered by steam engines, allowing them to travel faster and more reliably than traditional sail-powered vessels. During imperialism, steamships were crucial for transporting goods, troops, and resources across long distances, enabling European powers to expand and maintain control over their colonies more effectively.

How did the Industrial Revolution spur on Imperialism?☆

The Industrial Revolution drove imperialism by creating a need for raw materials from these colonies and new markets for goods

How did the European use Social Darwinism to justify the colonization of Africa and Asia?☆

Europeans used Social Darwinism to justify colonizing Africa and Asia by claiming they were superior and had a duty to civilize "weaker" races, viewing imperialism as a natural and beneficial process

What are the positive and negative effects of Imperialism?☆

Positive effects of imperialism:

• Improved infrastructure (roads, railways, hospitals)

• Spread of education and technology

• Increased global trade

Negative effects of imperialism:

• Exploitation of resources and people

• Loss of local cultures and independence

• Forced labor and human rights abuses

How is a colony different from a sphere of influence?☆

A colony is directly controlled and governed by a foreign power, while a sphere of influence is an area where a foreign power has special economic or political rights, but local government still exists

Why was Ethiopia able to maintain its independence?☆

Ethiopia maintained its independence by defeating Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, thanks to strong leadership from Emperor Menelik II, a well-trained army, and modern weapons

What was the cause of the Boer War?☆

The Boer War was caused by tensions between the British and the Boers over control of South Africa’s land and rich gold and diamond resources.

What were the causes and effects of the Sepoy Rebellion in India?☆

Causes:

• British disrespect for Indian culture and religion (e.g., rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat)

• Economic hardship and loss of power for Indian rulers

• Resentment of British control and policies

Effects:

• British government took direct control of India (ending rule by the British East India Company)

• Increased mistrust between Indians and the British

• Sparked Indian nationalism

What factors lead to the weakening of China?☆

China weakened due to internal rebellions (like the Taiping Rebellion), corruption, resistance to modernization, and foreign interference through unequal treaties and spheres of influence.

How was China colonized?☆

China was not fully colonized but was divided into spheres of influence by foreign powers who gained control over trade and territory through unequal treaties after military defeats, like the Opium Wars.

Why did Japan avoid being colonized? How did it become Imperial Power?☆

Japan avoided colonization by rapidly modernizing after the Meiji Restoration (1868), adopting Western technologies and reforms to strengthen its military and economy. It then became an imperial power by defeating China in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and Russia in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), gaining territories and establishing influence in East Asia.