6.1 Rationales for Imperialism

Nationalism

Belief in one's nation and the desire to assert its identity in the global arena.

British East India Company

British company that established colonies in Australia, Southeast Asia, and India.

Sino-Japanese War

Conflict between Japan and China sparked by Japanese expansion into Korea.

Pseudoscientists

Individuals who present theories as science without scientific evidence.

Phrenologists

Individuals who studied skull sizes and shapes to support theories of racial inferiority.

Social Darwinism

Application of Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest to human societies.

Cultural Assimilation

Process of imposing the culture, language, and institutions of the colonizers on diverse colonies.

Missionaries

Individuals who aimed to convert people to Christianity and reinforce colonial influence.

Commercial treaties

Agreements between imperial powers and local rulers to establish trading posts and protect interests.

British East India Company

British company with a monopoly on trade with India, trading primarily in cotton, silk, indigo, and spices.

Dutch East Indies

Possessions of the Dutch East India Company, which became today's Indonesia.

Political Control

Imposition of European political systems and suppression of local governance in colonized territories.

Resistance Movements

Uprisings and anti-colonial movements against imperial powers.

Demographic Changes

Migration of Europeans and population decline in indigenous communities due to imperialism.

Social Hierarchy

Racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality in colonial societies.

Westernization

Adoption of European customs, values, and education systems in colonized territories.

Language and Communication

Spread of European languages and loss of indigenous languages.

Religion and Beliefs

Conversion to Christianity and suppression of indigenous religions.

Art, Literature, and Media

Western influence on artistic expressions and preservation/loss of cultural heritage.

Identity and Nationalism

Formation of national identities and cultural resistance/revival movements.