Imperialism in South Africa

Mostly copy and pasted from the notes

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