AMSCO 6.1

Rationales for Imperialism

Introduction to Imperialism

  • The poem "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling is a significant cultural text from 1899 that reflects the mindset of imperialism.

    • Essential Question: What ideologies contributed to the development of imperialism between 1750 and 1900?

  • Kipling's background as an English writer raised in British colonial India influenced his views on imperialism.

  • The poem calls for colonialism, suggesting Western nations have a duty to help what he terms "inferior" peoples.

  • This ideology was used to justify European colonization and was based on several motives: nationalism, economic wealth, religious duty, and a belief in biological superiority.

Nationalist Motives for Imperialism

  • The rise of nationalism, especially in Western Europe, played a key role in the spread of imperialism during the 19th century.

  • National identity and loyalty led to the assertion of authority over territories abroad as a way to increase prestige and influence.

  • Western European Examples:

    • Britain: After losing its American colonies, sought new territories like New South Wales (1788) and expanded control in South Asia, culminating in control over the entire Indian subcontinent by 1857 along with Sri Lanka, Burma, the Malay States, and Borneo.

    • France: Aimed to regain prestige after the Franco-Prussian War by expanding its empire, occupying Algeria, New Caledonia, Senegal, and parts of Indochina.

    • Italy and Germany: Newly unified states that pursued colonies for economic, strategic reasons, and national pride starting in the mid-1880s.

    • Spain: Once a leader in colonial expansion, diminished in power by the 19th century and played a less dominant role in the second wave of imperialism.

    • Japan: Exhibited nationalism through aggressive actions in Korea, leading to the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and acquiring Taiwan.

Cultural and Religious Motives for Imperialism

  • Kipling's views represent a condescending attitude wherein colonizers saw themselves as benevolent figures on a civilizing mission.

  • Colonizers viewed non-Western peoples through a lens of «cultural superiority», often mischaracterizing them as “half-devil and half-child.”

  • Racial Ideologies and the Misuse of Science:

    • Commonly held racist beliefs were that whites were biologically and intellectually superior.

    • Pseudoscientific theories, such as phrenology (study of skull shapes), were used to justify notions of racial hierarchy, asserting that smaller skull sizes indicated inferiority, particularly among African, indigenous American, and Asian populations.

    • This kind of thinking is now widely discredited as scientifically baseless.

  • Social Darwinism:

    • Adaptation of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to human societies, positing that competition among societies led to the survival of the fittest (empowered by strong nations).

    • This ideology bolstered the justification for European and U.S. dominance and expansion as a natural order.

  • Cultural Superiority:

    • Colonial powers imposed their languages and cultures on colonized peoples to integrate diverse groups within single colonies for administrative purposes.

    • Josiah Strong's 1885 statement emphasized the destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race to lead and assimilate weaker races.

  • Religious Motives:

    • Protestant missionaries played significant roles in promoting Christian values alongside their colonizing efforts, as seen from the work of figures like David Livingstone.

    • Critics noted that missionary activities often undermined local traditions while providing education and healthcare, attempting to merge religious and humanitarian efforts.

Economic Motives for Imperialism

  • Skeptics argue that ideological motivations mainly served as justifications for economic interests.

  • European powers pursued raw materials and new markets through major corporations in Asia and Africa.

  • Originally generated from the spice trade, companies expanded territorial control via treaties and military interventions.

  • The Industrial Revolution accelerated demand for resources and labor, prompting a scramble for colonies.

  • East India Company (EIC):

    • Founded in 1600 with a monopoly over trade with India, initially focused on cotton, silk, and spices. EIC grew in power, becoming a key instrument of British domination in India by the late 18th century, including involvement in the slave trade and opium export to China.

  • Dutch East India Company (VOC):

    • Established in 1602, controlled trade in the East Indies and Java, ultimately leading to Dutch administrative control after the company's corruption forced government takeover in 1799.

  • New Imperialism:

    • Post-Industrial Revolution, Britain led in economic power and colonial expansion, using colonies for raw materials and markets, especially as competing powers emerged in Asia and Africa seeking similar gains.