Imperialism
“the domination by one country of the political, economic, and/or cultural life of another country or region.”
Causes of Imperialism
Economic
Places had natural resources
Political and military
Humanitarian
Faith to go to heaven
Social Darwinism
What factors allowed the western powers to be so very successful in subjugating people in
Africa (and other parts of the world?)
Stronger economies
More modern/powerful militaries
“...we’ve got the Maxim gun…”
Organized governments
Medical knowledge, ex. Anti-malaria meds
Weakness (division) of victims
Name and explain the three types of control associated with imperialism. (Direct and indirect are considered one)
Direct rule
Imperialist power takes over place, send people to run the colony
Indirect Rule
Person from Colony rules under country that owns them
Protectorate
Countries together act off each other
Sphere of influence
Similar to protectorate, more Economic, political, cultural power
The Berlin Conference
Berlin 1884
Led by Bismarck, reps from many countries including the US attended
Recognized legitimate claims to land, free trade routes, established rules for claiming new land
The scramble picked up steam and led to…
What impact did the Berlin Conference have on imperialism in Africa?
Some horrors of imperialism - brutality, depopulation, forced labor, war
Belgians in the Congo
French in Algeria
British in S. Africa (Boer War)
African resistance
African “elite”
Natives to help punish the country
21st century economic, political, ethnic problems
Who were the Boers? What caused the Boer War? Who won?
Boers are people in Africa who could trace their Ancestry to Dutch, German, and French Huguenot settlers.
British building and expanding and the Boers didn’t want that.
The British army won
What the heck does modernization vs. westernization mean?
Modernization is growing and expanding to something new and advanced.
Westernization is modernization but more like copying from someone else. It ruins and polluts traditional Culture.
Muhammad Ali - “father of modern Egypt”
Reformed economics
Reformed government
Strengthened military
Improved agriculture
Developed industry
Increased size of Egypt
Armenian Genocide
Murder of Armenian Christians in the Ottoman Empire during early years of World War One
Estimates of deaths range from more than 500,000 to 1.5 million
Recognized one of the first occurrences of genocide in modern world history.
“sick man of Europe”
reference to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire and the European powers picking over its carcass
Young Turks
liberal reform movement in Turkey, led coup against sultan, wanted to modernize
Apartheid
a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race
Steve Biko (1946-1977)
Anti-apartheid activist, African nationalist, began Black consciousness movement
Was arrested for breaking ban and curfew, died in police custody
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Jailed for anti-apartheid activities for 27 years
Released in 1990
President 1994-1999
F.W. deKlerk (1936-2021)
President of South Africa 1989-1994
Negotiated the end of apartheid, shared Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela
What problems/challenges has South Africa faced since the dismantlement of apartheid?
Political situation
Land controversy
Violence
HIV/AIDS and Covid
What was the root of the ethnic violence in Rwanda in the early 1990s? How was it resolved? Why didn’t the western powers intercede?
The root was the Hutu vs the Tutsi. Difference of identities and their relation with political power.
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), captured Kigali. The RPF overthrew the Hutu government and seized power. The new government announced a policy of “unity and reconciliation.”
Western powers didn’t intercede because there was nothing in it for them.
What weaknesses existed in North Africa (and the Middle East) that made this area susceptible to the western powers?
Weaker and less advanced technology
Different skin color so at the time they were considered inferior
What was apartheid? Know some aspects of this system as practiced in South Africa
The system of racial segregation in S. Africa from 1948-1994, gave white minority control of the political, legal, military, and social institutions of South Africa
Led to harsh treatment, atrocities, massacres
Opposition best exemplified by Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela
International community helped end apartheid through economic and political pressure
Commercial/military trade embargos, banned from Olympics 1964-1988
How did Steve Biko hope to bring an end to apartheid?
He began Black consciousness movement
What influence(s) does sport have in a society? Prove it.
Can bring races together, sports helps overcome problems in society. Brings people pride and unity. Ex. Rugby world cup with Nelson Mandela
What were the short-term impacts of imperialism? What impacts did it have on the “grand scheme” of history? Why should it concern us in 2023?
European powers won, they stole from Africa and got monetary benefits.
Long term includes problems today that can be traced back to what happened years ago.
There are still issues today that haven’t been resolved
Mustafa Kemal Attaturk,
Lead Turkey in the modern world
Paul Rusesabagina
Rwanda human rights activist, Hotel manager for refugees, sentenced to 25 years of Prison
King Leopold II of Belgium
Established the Congo Free State