(Voiced) 3.9 19th Century Imperialism

Emergence of New Foreign Policy

• In the mid-19th century, European foreign policy shifted due to industrialization.

• Two political cartoons illustrate this emerging policy:

  • Plum Pudding in Danger (1805): Depicts British PM William Pitt and Napoleon carving up the world into British and French spheres of influence.

  • John Bull as an Octopus (1888): Represents Britain’s extensive reach into territories such as Egypt, India, and Canada.

Key Understanding: Imperialism

• Imperialism: Expansion of large overseas empires driven by industrialization in the 1800s.

  • Defined as the unequal relationship between states.

  • Economic disparities are evident, especially between Northern and Southern hemispheres, as demonstrated in maps showing GDP distribution.

• The cartoon analysis suggests economic exploitation and unequal power dynamics in these relationships.

Definitions of Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism: A system where one state (metropole) exerts political power over territories, displacing native populations.\

  • Predominantly practiced between the 15th and 18th centuries.

• Imperialism: A policy extending control through direct or indirect intervention, involving economic and political control over foreign entities.\

  • This policy emerged from the 19th century onward.

• Comparison of Definitions:

  • Colonialism is a system, while imperialism is a policy.

  • Colonialism often results in the replacement of native structures; imperialism may not.

Time Period Distinctions

• Recognizing the time difference is crucial:

  • Colonialism (15th-18th centuries) vs. Imperialism (19th-20th centuries).

• Both involve expansion of empires but differ in the nature of control and the number of participating states.

  • The 19th century saw more states engage in imperialism, including Germany, Italy, Belgium, The U.S., and Japan, alongside original colonial powers (Britain, France, Portugal, Spain).

Economic Motivations

• Economic motivations remain central to both colonialism and imperialism:

  • Mercantilism: Earlier economic philosophy tied to colonialism, focused on resource exploitation.

  • Capitalism: Shift to a capitalist framework in the 19th century seeks both resources and markets for goods.

• Industries required raw materials and laborers, leading to imperial expansion for resources and consumers.

Role of Christianity and Nationalism

• Spread of Christianity accompanied early expansion efforts:

  • European nations sought to spread their faith during colonial times, continuing into the imperial era.

• Nationalism: Launched in the 19th century as a powerful force promoting competition among nations.

  • Citizens' pride in their nation led to desires for greater territorial control.

Racism and the 'White Man's Burden'

• Racism justified imperialist expansion:

  • Many Europeans viewed themselves as superior, believing it was their duty to civilize others, termed the "white man's burden."

• Examples include advertisements like Pear's Soap, suggesting that cleanliness and European habits were superior.

Social Darwinism

• Emerged as a pseudo-scientific justification for imperialism:

  • Based on Charles Darwin's theories, generalizing concepts of natural selection to justify racial hierarchies.

  • Used to argue that European societies were superior by virtue of their conquests.

Summary of Key Understanding

• The expansion of empires in the 19th century was primarily motivated by industrialization, differentiating it from earlier colonial expansions. Also influenced by social Darwinism and the notion of the white man's burden.