Notes on European Imperialism 1870-1914

Introduction to European Imperialism (1870-1914)

  • Timeframe: The period of significant European expansion and colonialism.
  • Extent of Control: By 1900, Europe governed 1/3 of humanity, with 85% of the world's land once under European control in 1914.

Colonial Empires in 1815 and 1915

  • Map Overview: Detailed maps showing colonial possessiveness across the globe for both years.
Major Colonial Powers (1815 vs. 1915)
  • 1815 Notable Powers: British, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian.
  • 1915 Developments: Rise of German and Italian imperial ambitions.

Shifts in Power Dynamics in Europe

  • 19th Century Context: Britain dominated geopolitics; France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands lost influence due to imperialism of free trade.
  • Bismarck's Role: 1871 German unification, leading to Berlin challenging London for power.

Economic Motives Driving Imperialism

  • Industrialization's Impact: Europe becomes economically centralized leading to population growth and increased demand for resources.
  • Strategic Competition: Acquiring territory outside Europe became preferable due to rising nationalism and the desire for raw materials.

Technological and Military Advantages

  • Transportation and Communication: Advances such as railways and steamboats facilitated quicker troop movements.
  • Military Superiority: Machine guns and improved logistics enabled small European armies to conquer large territories.
  • Medical Advances: Innovations in medicine reduced the effects of tropical diseases, making colonization feasible.

Ideological Justifications for Expansion

  • Economic Expansion Needs: European nations sought new markets for goods and access to raw materials such as sugar and rubber.
  • Humanitarian Aspect: The notion of a 'civilizing mission' wherein 'superior' races had a duty to educate and reform 'inferior' ones, reflecting paternalistic attitudes.

Noteworthy Statements on Imperialism

  • Jules Ferry (1885): Stated the necessity for new markets due to industrial growth and framed colonialism as a civilizing mission.
  • "White Man's Burden": An ideology involving the responsibility of Western powers to educate and civilize less developed nations.

Consequences of European Imperialism

  • Cultural Impact: European languages (like French and English) became global lingua francas.
  • Political Ramifications: International tensions among European powers regarding colonies and control.
  • Exploitation of Colonies: European nations often treated colonies as secondary sources of raw materials rather than as integral parts of their empires.
  • Arbitrary Borders: Colonial divisions altered African and Asian societies leading to future conflict and struggles for independence.

Transition to German Colonial Ambitions

  • Bismarck’s Concerns: Fear of conflict over African territories led to diplomatic initiatives like the Berlin Conference (1884-1885).
  • Belgian Congo: King Leopold II’s personal ambitions reveal the darker motivations behind colonialism, including resource exploitation and human rights abuses.

Conclusion

  • Overall Impact: The era of imperialism reshaped global power dynamics, led to lasting international conflicts, and significantly altered the social fabric of many colonized nations.