World Cultures Quarterly 3 2023

Imperialism Causes

Economic, Political, Military, Humanitarian, Religious, and Social Darwinism Motives

Economic Cause of Imperialism

Countries needed more raw materials for industrialization, expansion of global markets, bankers had new ways to invest.

Political Cause of Imperialism

Countries began racing each other through imperialism, protect national security interests, wanted a global empire.

MIlitary Cause of Imperialism

Steam powered merchant ships and naval vessels needed global bases for loading supplies.

Humanitarian Cause of Imperialism

Countries were concerned about other lands and the well being of the people there.

Religious Cause of Imperialism

Westerners believed that they were blessed with knowledge in medicine, law, and Christianity and had to spread their knowledge to other countries.

Social Darwinism Cause of Imperialism

Westerners believed that they were superior to other races, causing Westerners to imperialize other lands so they could “take care” of them.

Impact of Industrial Revolution

The West advanced in science, technology, industry, transportation, and communication. The West gained economic and political power.

Age of Imperialism

The West began to rapidly imperialize other lands due to increased power.

Goals of Imperialism

Gain raw materials, political and military power, spread religious beliefs, and improve trade and market.

The Three G’s

Gold, God, and Glory

Political Impact of Imperialism

Changes in law that reflect European culture and borders split culture groups.

Economic Impact of Imperialism

Cash crops and raw materials taken, colonies economically dependent on mother country for manufactured goods.

Work Impact of Imperialism

Taxes collected for railroads, roads, schools, etc., people worked in factories, fields, or as servants.

Social and Cultural Impact of Imperialism

Close knit villages destroyed when manufactured goods were increasing, families torn apart when husbands left to work far away, accepted Christianity when missionaries built schools.

Benefits of Imperialism

Developed economies, built roads/railroads, set up telegraph systems, made travel and communication faster, economic development created jobs/new skills, improved medical care/sanitation, ended local warfare, introduced new technology.

Disadvantages of Imperialism

People forced to work for low wages.

The Constitutional Act of 1791/The Canada Act

Made to ease ethnic tensions. Created 2 provinces in Canada: English-speaking Upper Canada (Ontario) and French-speaking Lower Canada (Quebec). Own laws/legislatures, royal governors. French traditions and Catholic Church protected in Lower Canada, English traditions and laws protected in Upper Canada.

China’s Isolation

Natural boundaries and the Great Wall of China.

Spheres of Influence

Areas in which outside power claimed exclusive investment or trading privileges.

Opium War

Britain traded opium to China for tea. When people became addicted, Britain got a lot of silver. The Chinese government outlawed opium and told Britain they could not sell it anymore. Britain refused and claimed free trade. Chinese warships clashed with British merchant ships, but British had easy win with better weapons. Led to the signing of the unequal Treaty of Nanjing.

Boxer Rebellion/Boxer Uprising

Anti-foreign (Western) movement in China (1898-1900). Peasants formed secret society of the Righteous Harmonious Fists, dubbed Boxers, after martial arts was practiced. They wanted to kick out foreigners that were changing ways of life. Late 1899-1900, they attacked and killed foreigners. Westerners and Japan made multinational force to stop them.

Open Door Policy

Afraid that European nations would shut out American nations, a policy that America approached around 1900s that favored open trade between China and other nations.

Commodore Matthew Perry

Commanded American ships into Tokyo Bay. Carried letter from the US demanding that Japan opened trading ports. Led to the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, where 3 trading ports were open to US ships. US later won more trade and rights including extraterritoriality, followed by Britain, France, and Russia.

Japanese Modernization

Japan had economic needs, but lacked resources. Nationalism and strong ambition to be equal to West pushed it to rise to power. Reformed government; all citizens were equal before the law, emperor had unlimited power, legislature/Diet formed with one elected house and one house appointed by emperor. Separate finance, army, navy, and education departments. Military improved through new technology. Modern banking system, railroads, ports, telegraph and postal systems. Factories were built and sold to wealthy business families.

Russo-Japanese War

Japan wanted to grow an empire, so they challenged Russia, rival power in Korea and Manchuria. Significant because first Asian power to defeat a European one.

Teddy Roosevelt

Broker for the end of the Russo-Japanese War, made the Roosevelt Corollary, claiming that the US had international police power in the Western Hemisphere.

Panama Canal

Canal across Panama built by the US. Would improve shipping times and protect coastlines. Panama belonged to Columbia, but US helped back Panamanian revolt against Columbia. Panamanians gave permission to the US to build canal after victory. Construction began in 1904, finished in 1914. Seen as imperialism by some other countries. Panama gained control of canal and is vital to economy.

Imperialism in Africa

Europeans traded along coast of Africa, but could not expand inward due to disease, geography, and resistance from locals. Medical and technical advances allowed them to move inward. Missionaries built schools and clinics, trying to convert people to Christianity. Paternalistic view, trying to “take care” of locals. Scramble for colonies left much of Africa colonized. Caused the Berlin Conference to occur to debate African territory rules.

David Livingstone and Henry Stanley

Explored and documented Africa. Livingstone believed that in order to end the slave trade was to open the interior of Africa to Christianity and trade.

King Leopold II of Belgium

Set off a scramble for colonies in Africa after sending treaties and explorers to Africa.

The Berlin Conference

Took place in Berlin, Germany and did not include any Africans, despite the issue at hand being Africa. Recognized Leopold’s private claims to the Congo Free State, but called for free trade along Niger and Congo rivers. Powers could not claim any part of Africa unless there was a government office there. European powers began dividing up Africa.

Resistance Against African Imperialism

Yaa Asantewaa, Samori Toure’, Nehanda, and Menelik II were reformer leaders who fought against imperial rule or improved Africa in some way.

Indirect Control

A governor and council of advisers made laws for each colony. Local rulers that were loyal to the imperial power retained some authority and served as agents. Local rulers were not replaced, but had little power and influence over government decisions.

Direct Rule

Imperial power sent officials and soldiers to administer colonies. Reflected belief that colonial people could not self-rule. Culture imposed on colonial people.

British Empire

Any land that the British owned, mostly through imperialism, including US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Middle East, Asia, Africa, and parts of Central and South America.

India - Jewel of British Empire (Pros)

Modernized railroads, roads, and postal system.

India - Jewel of British Empire (Cons)

Destroyed Indian textile industry and profits from cotton, forced Sepoys to serve in Navy and engage in actions prohibited by religion.

Sepoy Rebellion

Sepoys revolted against their British officers, marched to old Mughal capital where they hailed last Mughal leader as their leader. British officers massacred. British fought back, torching villages and slaughtering thousands of Indians, even if they had no involvement. Slowed reforms, caused mistrust on both sides.

Colonization in the Pacific

To gain islands to refuel and resupply steamships.

Triple Alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy

Triple Entente

France, Russia, Great Britain

Central Powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria

Allied Powers/Allies

France, Russia, Great Britain, US (1917), Japan, Italy, Belgium, Serbia, several other nations.

Causes of WWI (MAIN)

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

Militarism

Glorification of the military and war.

Alliances (in relation to WWI)

Nations got pulled into the conflict overtime through their alliances.

Imperialism

Created tension between nations.

Nationalism

Played large role in assassination, caused hate of other nations to grow.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

June 28, 1914 - He wanted to visit Serbia. Serbia just gained independence from Austria-Hungary, so Austrians seen as oppressors. Terrorist group, the Black Hand, swore to take action against Austrians visiting country. Gavrilo Princip assassinated Ferdinand and his wife.

Impact of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s Assassination

Austria-Hungary issued ultimatum to Serbia due to the situation. When Serbia declines an aspect, war erupts.

Ultimatum: Austria-Hungary to Serbia

Serbia must end all anti-Austrian agitation, punish any Serb involved in assassination, and let Austria join investigation. When Serbia declined the last term, war erupt.

WWI (Start - End)

July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918

Western Front

Front line/battle line between Germany and France. Trench warfare was used, caused stalemate.

Eastern Front

Front line/battle line between Germany and Russia and Austria-Hungary and Russia. Higher casualty rate than Western Front.

Total War

Channeling of a nation’s entire resources into the war effort. WWI was a total war since stalemates/other battles took a lot of resources.

Trench Warfare

An underground network of linked bunkers, communications trenches, and weapon storage. Caused stalemates. Would become flooded and muddy with precipitation. Caused trench foot. Horrible conditions.

Forms of War Used in WWI

Airplanes “Dogfights” and attacks, Zeppelins (blimps), poison gas, machine guns, long range artillery, and submarine warfare.

President Woodrow Wilson

US president during entirety of WWI.

US Stance in Beginning of WWI

US had chosen isolationism (remain apart from affairs) and decided to stay neutral in the beginning.

American Debate of Sides (Isolationism vs. Interventionism)

Isolationism: remain apart from affairs.

Interventionism: Interfering in another nation’s affairs through coercion or threats of force.

German Submarines

Called U-boats. Used to practice unrestricted submarine warfare, where U-boats attacked ships from underwater. No one could see U-boat attacking.

Convoys

Groups of merchant ships protected by warships, since U-boats had been attacking merchant ships carrying vital supplies.

Sinking of the Lusitania

British ships created blockade at North Sea, supplies could not leave or enter Germany. To retaliate, Germany claimed that it would sink any ships carrying supplies to Britain. One of these was the Lusitania, which contained neutral American passengers. Pres. Wilson threatened to cut off diplomatic ties with Germany, but Germany agreed to restrict its submarine campaign. It claimed U-boats would arise and give time for neutral passengers to escape with a lifeboat. One of the causes for US joining WWI.

Zimmermann Note

Telegraph; British intercepted message from German foreign minister, Arthur Zimmermann, to his ambassador in Mexico. Claimed if Mexico joined Germany in war with the US, Germany would help Mexico reclaim territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. British revealed note to the US government. One of the causes for US joining WWI.

Causes for US Entering WWI

Sinking of Lusitania, Zimmermann Note, and anger toward Germany.

Russia Begins to Struggle in WWI

Russia faces high casualty rates. Propaganda and exaggerated press, along with other dissatisfaction, causes revolution. Czar Nicholas II abdicates in March 1917. Allies thought a democracy would form and strengthen Russia, but a second revolution brought V. I. Lenin to power. He promised to pull Russian troops out of the war. Signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on March 3, 1918 with Central Powers, which ended Russia’s involvement in WWI.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918 by new Bolshevik government of Russia and Central Powers, ended Russia’s participation in WWI.

End of WWI

After US enters war and begins attacks on Germany, Germany decides war cannot be won. Uprisings demanded Kaiser William II abdicates. Austria-Hungary government weakened by revolts. Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire asks for peace. German government brought armistice (agreement to end fighting) to Allies. War ends at 11 AM on November 11, 1918.

Results of WWI

8.5 million soldiers dead, twice that wounded and disabled. At least 6 million civilians dead. 1918 influenza pandemic killed 20 million. Homes, farms, factories, roads, and churches destroyed, collapsed governments, radicals wanted to make new social order, cynical views on society, famines.

Wilson’s 14 Points

No secret treaties.

Freedom of the seas.

Free trade.

Large-scale reduction of arms.

Impartial adjustment of colonial claims based on interests of governments and native populations.

Evacuation of all Russian territory; providing Russia the best opportunity for self-determination.

Evacuation and restoration of Belgium as a sovereign nation.

Liberation of France; return of the region Alsace-Lorraine to France.

Readjustment of Italy’s frontiers based on recognizable lines of nationality.

Peoples of Austria-Hungary should have freest opportunity for autonomous development.

Occupation forces to be evacuated from Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro; Serbia should have free and secure access to the sea.

Autonomous development of the non-Turkish peoples of the Ottoman Empire; free passage for all ships through the Dardanelles.

Independence for Poland, with free and secure access to the sea.

Formation of a general association of nations to guarantee to its members political independence and territorial integrity (the League of Nations).

League of Nations

Established during Paris Peace Conference. More than 40 nations joined. Agreed to negotiate disputes instead of resorting to war and take common action against any aggressor state. The US did not join the League because a treaty was proposed so that the US would not be obligated to fight in any future wars. The Senate refused to ratify the treaty.

Versailles Peace Treaty

A treaty the Allies put together at the end of the war in Versailles. Germany had to assume full blame for causing the war. Germany had to pay billions in reparations. Limited size and action of German military. Returned colonies Alsace and Lorraine to France. Lost other German colonies. Made Germans in many other nations move back to Germany or Austria. Germany had to accept treaty.

Self-Determination

The right of people to choose their own form of government.

Armistice

(An agreement to end fighting) was brought up by Germany. It was signed in the 11th month, 11th day, and 11th hour in 1918, November 11, 1918 at 11 AM.

Germany’s Punishment

Had to accept blame for the war, military limited, pay billions in reparations, and lose colonies.

US and the League of Nations

US Senate rejected membership in the League of Nations.