Study Notes on Second Wave of Imperialism (1750-1900)

Introduction to the Second Wave of Imperialism (1750-1900)

  • The focus of this unit is on ideologies that led to a distinct wave of imperialism during the period 1750 to 1900.

  • Context of Previous Period:

    • Earlier wave of imperialism involved Western European states building maritime empires.

    • Primary focus was on dominating the Indian Ocean trade and colonizing the Americas.

New Ideological Frameworks in Imperialism

  • During the current period, European powers began reflecting on Enlightenment principles regarding liberty and governance of people.

  • Despite contradictions to Enlightenment ideas, imperialism intensified.

  • Motivating factors included:

    • Traditional motivations (gold, glory, and God).

    • New and nuanced ideologies influenced by the Industrial Revolution.

Major Ideologies of the Second Wave of Imperialism

  1. Nationalism

    • Definition: A sense of commonality among people based on shared language, religion, and social customs, leading to a desire for self-rule.

    • Shift in loyalty:

      • Prior: Individuals identified as subjects of a sovereign (king, queen, emperor).

      • Current: Loyalty shifts towards nationhood, spurred by Enlightenment and industrialization.

    • Historical impacts:

      • Unification of Italy and Germany as results of nationalistic desires.

      • Nationalism fueled imperial ambitions, leading to competition among powers to expand empires as a means of achieving greater power status.

      • Darker aspects of nationalism fostering beliefs of superiority over other cultures and nations.

  2. Scientific Racism

    • Definition: The belief that humans can be hierarchically ranked in distinct biological classes based on race.

    • Historical context:

      • Previous racial divisions were primarily religious (Christians vs. non-Christians).

      • Scientific racism secularized these divisions and attempted to classify humanity by race, often creating unfounded hierarchies.

    • Practices and Justifications:

      • Example: Phrenology, the study of skull shapes, concluded that larger skulls of white people indicated superiority, albeit based on spurious evidence.

      • Implication: Justified imperial projects under the belief that Western Europeans were superior (termed “child races”).

  3. Social Darwinism

    • Definition: The application of Charles Darwin's biological theories of natural selection to human societies.

    • Key Principles:

      • Only the fittest species survive and thrive in nature.

      • Social Darwinists applied these principles to argue that Western industrial societies represented the pinnacle of societal development.

    • Implications:

      • Western states believed their success and power were indicators of their superiority and best-suited ways of societal organization.

      • Justification for strong nations 'eating' weaker ones mirrored natural selection processes.

  4. Civilizing Mission

    • Definition: A sense of duty among Western societies to 'civilize' those deemed as lower civilizations.

    • Actions stemming from this ideology:

      • Sending missionaries to convert colonized peoples to Christianity.

      • Reorganizing colonial governments according to Western models.

      • Imposing Western-style education systems and attempting to suppress indigenous languages and cultures.

    • Belief that they had a moral obligation to elevate the cultures of those they colonized based on their perceived superiority.

Conclusion

  • The interplay of these ideologies created a fertile ground for the second wave of imperialism.

  • Understanding these ideologies is crucial for grasping how imperialistic practices evolved during this era.