WWH Imperialism Vocab

Imperialism Vocabulary

• Nationalism - Immense love and pride for one’s own country

  •  This movement was popular in the 19^th and early 20^th century and led to the rise of nation-states in Europe. Nationalism also spread throughout Africa, India, and Asia due to the oppressive policies and control of imperialism and led to rise of nationalist movements

• Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized

• Social Darwinism -  the theory that individuals, groups, and peoples are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals

  • This is a social theory, NOT a scientific theory → it was presented to people at the time as scientific so people believed it to be true

• Paternalism - When an outside country governs another country or colony in every level of government because it believes the native people cannot govern themselves

  • It is a similar relationship between a parent and child

  • Example: Great Britain and their African colonies

  • Non-example: Great Britain and Australia or Canada 

• Cultural Assimilation - the process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society

  • Example: Africans in French territories were required to learn/speak French and dress in the French style of clothing

  • Non-example: France trading in China 

• Colony - the most direct form of control

  • In this form of imperialism, a powerful nation installs its own government and maintains direct control over other territories and regions

  • Often, foreign official were brought in who reported back to the "mother country"

  • No local were allowed in government and the people in that territory had no say in the laws, taxes, or policies set forth by the foreign power

  • This resulted in great suffering by indigenous populations who became "second-class citizens" in their own homeland

• Settlement Colonies - large groups of people from one country living together in a new place

  • Example: the relationship between Great Britain and Australia

  • Non-example: the relationship between India and Great Britain

• Dependent Colonies - when a few European officials lived in the territory and ruled over the non-European population

  • Example: the relationship between India and Great Britain

  • Non-example: the relationship between Great Britain and Australia

• Protectorates - When the local ruler keeps their title but the territory is under the control of an outside power, such as the Europeans.  The ruling, outside power kept out other nations.

  • Example: Puerto Rico was a U.S. protectorate after the Spanish-American War 

  • Non-example: the relationship between Great Britain and Australia

• Sphere of Influence - When an outside power claims rights and privileges over an area or region. Other countries had to respect the rights of that country and stay out.

  • It is usually trading rights but it can also be for military purposes

  • Example: Great Britain in China

  • Non-example: the relationship between Great Britain and India