Imperialism Summative

  • Imperialism (general) - a country extends its power and influence over other nations through diplomacy, military force, or other means. It often involves economic exploitation, political control, and cultural imposition.

  • Darwinism - theory that species evolve through natural selection, where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

    • Social Darwinism -  believed that in the struggle between nations, the fit is victorious and some nations are innately superior to others

  • Raw Materials -  Unprocessed material

  • White Man’s Burden -  the belief that they had a moral obligation to civilize primitive people. To some, it meant spreading Christianity, or it meant bringing the benefits of Western democracy and capitalism to these societies

  • Trade - Western nations traded with nations like China and India because they were of higher quality and had commodities that Westerners did not have.

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Phil.-Amer. War

  • American Imperialism in SE Asia - America imperialized the Philippines to get an easier trade route to China and as a strategic military base.

  • As a result of Sp-Amer War - America beat the Philippine guerilla forces and controlled the Philippines

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  • Access to China’s markets - Main reason for American imperialism, was importing Chinese goods

British Raj

  • Sepoy Mutiny - 1857, 1st War of Independence, Sepoys got offended by cartridges that were rumored to use cow and pig fat as lubricants (went against their religion). A group of sepoys near Delhi refused to lead their rifles with cartridges. British charged them with mutiny, publicly humiliated them, and put them in prison

  • EIC - East India Company, was a private company, created by a charter by Queen Elizabeth. Originally there for economic reasons, they eventually became actively involved in India's political and military affairs and had their own soldiers. 

  • Racism and cultural insensitivity - Enfield rifle cartridges rumored to be covered in pig and cow fat. This went against Mulsim and the Hindu religion. Also, British disrespect for Indian customs is shown when they tried to impose Western laws, education, and culture. The British believed that they were socially superior to the Indians too.

  • Cultural diffusion - During the British Raj, cultural diffusion occurred as English became a key language, Western education was introduced, and British architectural styles influenced Indian infrastructure. Social reforms, new culinary tastes, and Western sports like cricket became integral parts of Indian culture.

  • Jewel of the Crown - when Queen Elizabeth crowned herself queen of India, she called India her crown jewel, or jewel in the crown.


Congo Free State and Leopold II

  • Berlin Conf. - meeting held in Berlin, where European leaders met up and split up Africa for each leader to imperialism

  • Ivory and rubber -  At the conference King Leopold II of Belgium was recognized as the sole owner of the Congo free state where he forced the Congolese people to meet a quota for rubber and ivory or they would be tortured

  • Congo Re-form Association -  they bought the Congo Free State from King Leopold to hend his atrocities.

  • Belgian govt.’s desire for colony - The Belgian government took the colony from King Leopold II because of the human rights violations and pressure from people and journalists.

  • Harsh and brutal tactics - Hold their families (kids and wives) hostage, amputation, etc.

  • Mercenary Force Publique -  King Leopold II's private army who controlled the people and forced labor on the Congolese.

  • GW Williams - An African-American journalist who 1890 wrote an open letter to King Leopold II of Belgium. In this letter, Williams exposed the brutal exploitation and human rights abuses occurring in the Congo Free State under Leopold's rule. One of the first to address a human rights crime.

  • E.D. Morel - Used to work in the Congo Free State, saw what was happening, quit and exposed 

Suez Canal

  • De Lesseps - French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferd de Lessups signed a contract to begin construction of the Suez Canal.

  • British interest - Saw it as a “lifeline to India”; drastically shortened the route to India.

  • Constantinople Convention -  Article I: The Suez Canal shall always be free and open to every vessel of commerce or war, without distinction of flag, and shall never be subjected to the exercise of the right of blockade.

Article II: The signatories recognized the importance of the Fresh-Water Canal and agreed not to interfere with its security.

Article III: The signatories undertook to respect the plant, establishments, buildings, and works of the Maritime Canal and the Fresh-Water Canal.

Article IV: The Maritime Canal would remain open even in times of war, and no acts of hostility or obstruction would be committed in the Canal and its ports.

  • Role of Egypt - The Suez Canal was built in Egypt, and Egypt provided the workforce to build it. In 1857 Britain brought Egypt’s share of the Suez Canal. Egypt became a British protectorate in 1914


  • France and GB’s roles 

    • France - Held a big financial stake in the Suez Canal. Constructed by a French diplomat. Helped other countries to regain control of the Suez Canal.

    • GB -  Acquired Egypt's share of the Suez Canal. Helped other countries regain control of the Suez Canal. 

  • Geographic significance - Strategic location shortened the distance to India and other eastern countries, making it a valuable resource for trade. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea dividing Africa and Asia

  • Working conditions - Workers faced intense heat, sunstroke, and exposure to dangerous creatures. There was forced labor of many Egyptian peasants and most work was done manually (only using simple tools).

Latin America (US Imperialism)

  • Roosevelt Corollary - an addition to the Monroe doctrine that allowed for US intervention in Latin American internal affairs if they were committing “Chronic misconduct”, like not paying debts. Created to keep Europeans out of America.

  • “Big Stick Diplomacy” - a belief that the US could negotiate peacefully with foreign nations while the strength of its military loomed in the background; the US could make such claims over its control of the western hemisphere.

  • “Dollar Diplomacy” - Using wealth to extend one's (America’s) influence. Particularly in Latin America. Did so to secure favorable trade conditions.

  • Panama Canal - In 1905 Rosevelt re-started construction of the Panama Canal, which was completed in 1914. The Panama Canal significantly reduces the travel distance for ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

    • Theodore Roosevelt justified his involvement in the independence movement in Panama because he believed that the Panama government was obstructing civilization due to them demanding a much higher price for the rights to construct the Panama Canal. This impacted the construction of the Panama Canal due to the US recognizing the independence of Panama and their newfound independence, the Panama Canal was now an American project.