Imperialism and the New Imperialism

Flashcards covering key concepts related to imperialism and its impacts from the lecture notes.

What is a protectorate?

A country with its own government but under the control of an outside power.

What does imperialism mean?

Domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.

What is a sphere of influence?

An area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges.

What military advantages helped Western nations dominate much of the world in the late 1800s?

Maxim machine guns, repeating rifles, and steam-driven warships.

How did Westerners justify their right to rule over other people?

They believed that Western culture was superior to others.

What type of imperial rule has Westerners running the government in a colony?

Direct rule.

What was a main economic cause of the new imperialism of the 19th century?

The need for raw materials for industrial production.

How did Western powers affect the cultural heritage of non-Westerners during imperialism?

They sought to teach Christianity and European languages, which robbed colonized people of their cultural heritage.

What is the difference between a protectorate and a sphere of influence?

In a protectorate, local leaders follow European advisers, whereas in a sphere of influence, Europeans demand exclusive trading rights but local leaders retain control.

How did the Industrial Revolution drive new imperialism?

It created a need for raw materials and new markets for European goods.

What negative impacts did imperialism have on the economies of colonies?

1. Low wages, 2. Cash crops replacing food production, 3. Destruction of local cottage industries due to European imports.

What justification did Cecil Rhodes use for imperialism?

Social Darwinism, believing English were superior and should spread worldwide.

Who was Shaka?

A Zulu chief and founder of southern Africa’s Zulu empire.

What does paternalistic mean in the context of imperialism?

Governing a country as a father would a child.

Who was David Livingstone?

A Scottish missionary and explorer who influenced Western attitudes on Africa.

Who was Henry Stanley?

A British explorer of central Africa, known for rescuing Dr. Livingstone.

Who was King Leopold II?

The king of Belgium who led the first Western efforts to develop and control the Congo basin.

What was the Boer War?

A conflict in which Great Britain defeated the Boers of South Africa.

Who was Menelik II?

The emperor of Ethiopia who modernized his country and defeated the Italian invasion in 1896.

Why did European contact with Africa increase in the 1800s?

Explorers and missionaries demonstrated that travel into the interior was possible, aided by medical advances and steamships.

Why did European leaders hold the Berlin Conference?

To prevent European nations from going to war over Africa.

How did Africans resist European rule in the late 1800s?

By engaging in armed resistance and establishing nationalist movements.

Why did European interest in Africa increase in the late 1800s?

As Europeans pushed into Africa's interior, they identified it as a source of raw materials.

How did Ethiopians use technology to resist Italian forces?

Menelik II hired Europeans for training, built modern infrastructure, and equipped his army with up-to-date weapons.

What is the Berlin Conference?

A meeting of European powers convened by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to regulate colonization and trade in Africa.

What is the significance of the protectorate compared to direct rule?

In a protectorate, local rulers remain in place with European advisers, while in direct rule, officials from the Western country run the colony.

Why did early Europeans travel into Africa's interior?

To map the continent's great rivers.

How might missionaries have reacted to King Leopold II’s rule of the Congo?

They would likely have disapproved of his exploitation and brutalization of African workers.

What did European imperialists overlook when redrawing Africa's map?

Ethnic boundaries.

What were the Mfecane?

Wars and migrations in southern Africa in the early 1800s.

Why did the Dutch come to South Africa?

To create a provisioning stop for ships traveling from Europe to India and the spice islands.

What two minerals prompted British interests in southern Africa?

Diamonds and gold.