Imperialism

Imperialism

Policy or ideology where a powerful nation dominates a weaker one politically, economically, or socially

Colonialism

Practice of setting up colonies in another territory for economic or political benefit

Modern Imperialism

18th-19th century imperialism with deeper political, economic, and social control over colonies

Economic Motive of Imperialism

Need for raw materials, new markets, and profit from industrialization

Political Motive of Imperialism

Nationalism and competition between nations for power and prestige

Ideological Motive of Imperialism

Racism, Social Darwinism, White Man's Burden, paternalism, assimilation

Technological Advances in Imperialism

Weapons, transportation, communication, and medicine that helped Europeans conquer others

Maxim Machine Gun

Advanced weapon that gave Europeans military advantage

Quinine

Medicine that prevented malaria and allowed Europeans to survive in tropical areas

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and devotion to one's nation and belief in self-rule

Social Darwinism

Belief that stronger nations and races would naturally dominate weaker ones

Paternalism

Policy of governing colonies as if they were children, providing care but no rights

Assimilation

Forcing colonized people to adopt the culture, language, and customs of the colonizer

White Man's Burden

Belief that Europeans had a moral duty to civilize non-Western peoples

Berlin Conference (1884)

Meeting where European powers divided Africa without African participation

Effective Occupation

Requirement that European powers actually control land they claimed in Africa

Scramble for Africa

Race among European nations to colonize African land and resources

Menelik II

Ethiopian leader who successfully resisted European colonization

Congo under King Leopold II

Example of extreme exploitation and brutality under imperialism

Negative Effects of Imperialism

Loss of land, freedom, culture, lives, and economic exploitation

Cash Crop Agriculture

Farming for profit instead of food, often leading to famine

Impact of Imperialism on Indigenous Peoples

Loss of sovereignty, forced assimilation, social hierarchies, poverty

Positive Effects of Imperialism

Infrastructure, reduced warfare, literacy, health improvements (mostly benefiting Europeans)

Impact of Imperialism on Europe

Wealth, industrial growth, global trade, and expanded power

Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

Indian uprising against British rule

British Raj

Period of direct British control over India (1858-1947)

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain over opium trade

Unequal Treaties

Treaties that favored Western powers and weakened China

Sphere of Influence

Area where a foreign power has exclusive trading rights

Extraterritoriality

Foreigners being exempt from local laws

Open Door Policy

U.S. policy supporting equal trade access in China

Taiping Rebellion

Massive Chinese civil war against the Qing dynasty

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising in China

Meiji Restoration

Period when Japan modernized and industrialized

Unequal Treaties in Japan

Agreements forced on Japan by Western powers

Sino-Japanese War

Japan's victory over China, showing its growing power

Russo-Japanese War

Japan's victory over Russia, first Asian power to defeat a European nation

Colonization of Korea

Japan took control of Korea

French Indochina

French-controlled region including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Gunboat Diplomacy

Using military threats to force weaker nations to agree to demands

Colony

Territory governed directly by a foreign power

Protectorate

Country with internal government but controlled by an outside power

Direct Rule

Colonial power governs a territory directly

Indirect Rule

Colonial power rules through local leaders

Suez Canal

Important trade route connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea

Panama Canal

Trade route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Haiti and Imperialism

Haiti was isolated and forced into debt after independence