Impacts and Key Events of Imperialism in Europe, Africa, and Asia

Impact of Imperialism on Europe

Gained raw materials (rubber, oil, coal, diamonds), expanded markets for factory-made goods, increased wealth and industrial growth.Increased competition between European nations

Impact of Imperialism on Africa

Lost independence and self-rule, borders drawn with no regard for ethnic groups, long-term political instability.Africans forced into cash-crop farming, little industrial development in Africa. missionaries spread Christianity, European languages and customs imposed.

Impact of Imperialism on Asia

Loss of sovereignty, forced treaties, foreign control through spheres of influence. resources exploited, trade favored imperial powers. Spread of Western education and ideas, cultural tension between tradition and modernizationn Rebellions (Sepoy Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion), formation of nationalist groups push for independence in the 1900s.

Overall Impact of Imperialism

Europe gained wealth and power, Africa and Asia lost land, resources, and independence, imperialism caused long-term global inequality.

Imperialism

Domination by one country over the political, economic, or cultural life of another region, also called colonization.

Main Goal of Imperialism

Control natural resources, sell factory-made goods to colonies.

Reasons for Imperialism - Nationalism

Pride in one's country, competition among European nations, 'I have more land than you'.

Reasons for Imperialism - Economic Interests

Industrial Revolution created need for raw materials (rubber, oil, coal, iron) and new markets to sell goods.

Reasons for Imperialism - Religion

Most Europeans were Christian, believed non-Christians were 'barbarians', wanted to 'save' and convert others.

Reasons for Imperialism - Social Darwinism

'Survival of the fittest', belief Europeans were superior, used to justify conquering non-European peoples.

Qing Dynasty

China was self-sufficient and isolated, restricted foreign trade.

Main Chinese Products

Silk, porcelain, tea.

Balance of Trade

Britain: Trade deficit (buying more than selling), China: Trade surplus (selling more than buying).

Opium

Drug from India, smuggled into China by Britain, highly addictive leading to a drug epidemic.

Opium Wars (1839-1860)

2 wars between Britain & China, winner: Britain, Britain had more advanced weapons.

Treaty of Nanjing

Unequal treaty forced on China; China gave Hong Kong to Britain, paid 21 million ounces of silver, opened ports to foreign trade.

Spheres of Influence

Areas where foreign powers claim exclusive trading and investment rights.

British East India Company (BEIC)

British trading company active since 1600s, gained power as Mughal Empire declined, shifted from trade to political control.

British Raj

Britain's direct rule over India, India called the 'jewel of the British crown'.

Sepoy Rebellion (1857-1858)

Indian soldiers working for Britain, main cause: rifle cartridges greased with pig & cow fat, offended Hindu & Muslim beliefs.

Impact of Sepoy Rebellion

Britain took direct control of India, more British troops sent, higher taxes, growth of Indian nationalism.

Indian National Congress (INC)

Wanted independence, supported Western modernization.

Muslim League

Feared Hindu dominance, wanted separate Muslim country, increased Hindu-Muslim conflict.

Effects of British Rule in India

Positives: Roads & railroads (transportation, unity), telegraph (communication), better medical supplies; Negatives: Forced to buy British goods, cash crops replaced food crops, population grew leading to food shortages, deforestation.

Scramble for Africa

Rapid colonization of Africa by European powers, brought Europe close to war, African borders ignored ethnic groups.

Berlin Conference (1884)

Purpose: Avoid conflict among European nations, decide who controlled which parts of Africa; key fact: No Africans were invited.

South Africa

Controlled by Africans, Dutch (Boers), British; Zulu Nation led by Shaka, strong warriors, fought Europeans but lost to advanced weapons.

Boer War (1899-1902)

Dutch vs. British, fought over gold & diamonds, Britain won and controlled South Africa until 1994.