Causes and Effects of Imperialism (2)

Economic Motives

Industrial Revolution increased demand for raw materials (e.g., rubber, tin, cotton) and new markets.

Strategic Interests

Control of key locations like the Suez Canal for military and trade advantages.

Nationalism

Desire to expand national prestige and compete with other European powers.

Cultural and Racial Superiority

Belief in the 'civilizing mission' and the superiority of Western culture.

Religious Motives

Missionary efforts to spread Christianity.

Economic Exploitation

Extraction of resources and wealth from colonies.

Cultural Suppression

Imposition of Western education, language, and religion.

Political Changes

Establishment of colonial governments; arbitrary borders leading to future conflicts.

Resistance Movements

Emergence of nationalist movements seeking independence.

Scramble for Africa

Rapid colonization by European powers post-Berlin Conference (1884-1885), leading to arbitrary borders and exploitation of resources.

Liberia & Ethiopia

Only independent African nations by 1914; Liberia founded by freed American slaves.

French Indochina

France controlled Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; exploited resources and imposed French culture.

British East India Company

Controlled large parts of India until the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

British Raj

Direct British rule post-1858; economic exploitation and social reforms.

Opium Wars

Fought between China and Britain; resulted in the Treaty of Nanjing (1842) and other unequal treaties.

Spheres of Influence

Foreign powers controlled trade and territory.

Meiji Restoration

Rapid modernization and industrialization to resist Western imperialism.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Victory over Russia marked Japan as a rising imperial power.

Protectorate

A state controlled and protected by another.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

Regulated European colonization and trade in Africa; no African representatives.

Belgium in the Congo

King Leopold II's exploitation led to millions of deaths.

Boer War (1899-1902)

Conflict between British and Dutch settlers in South Africa.

Suez Canal

Strategic waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas; vital for British colonial interests.

Zulus

Fierce resistance against British in South Africa.

Unequal Treaties

Agreements that favored Western powers; undermined Chinese sovereignty.

Hundred Days of Reform (1898)

Failed attempt by Qing government to modernize.

Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)

Anti-foreign uprising in China; suppressed by foreign powers.

Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864)

Massive civil war in China; millions died.

Matthew Perry

U.S. Commodore who opened Japan to Western trade in 1853.

Meiji Constitution/Reformation

Japan's transformation into a modern state.

Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

Indian uprising against British East India Company; led to direct British rule.

Burma

Annexed by Britain; strategic importance for British interests in India and China.

Indonesia

Dutch colony; rich in resources like spices and oil.

Philippines

Spanish colony ceded to the U.S. after Spanish-American War; became a U.S. colony.