Notes on Imperialism and the New Imperialism

New Imperialism

  • Transition from informal to formal empire.

  • Establishment of protectorates and spheres of influence.

  • Emergence of new nations such as Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

  • Characterized by few settlers and a new assumption of cultural superiority.

  • Significant focus on Africa.

Motives of New Imperialism

Hobson / Lenin Thesis

  • Capitalist Overproduction: Need for new markets and investments.

  • Lenin's View: "Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism."

  • Most investments were to older states, notable heavy investments before 1875.

  • Colonies, other than India, typically did not yield high profitability.

Civilizing Mission

  • Driven by status, prestige, and competition among European powers.

  • Impact of collapsing empires such as the Ottoman Empire and China.

  • Many decisions made ad-hoc by local officials amidst imperialistic actions.

Kipling's "White Man’s Burden"

  • A poem illustrating the paternalistic attitude towards colonized peoples.

  • Key themes:

    • The perceived duty to "civilize" and help "sullen peoples".

    • The moral obligations and sacrifices associated with imperialism.

  • Highlights the irony of imperialism: helping may lead to blame from those helped.

Opium Wars

  • Involvement of Britain and China leading to the Treaty of Nanking in 1843.

  • Significance of "Unequal Treaties" that favored Western powers.

  • Gradual increase of opium imports from India to China from 1773 to 1884:

    • 1773: 1,000 chests

    • 1790: 4,000 chests

    • Early 1820s: 10,000 chests

    • 1828: 18,000 chests

    • 1839: 40,000 chests

    • 1865: 76,000 chests (peak: 81,000 chests in 1884)

British India & the East India Company

  • Expansion of British control from the 18th to mid-19th century.

  • Areas of British control included key hotspots like Bombay, Calcutta, and Delhi.

  • The role of the East India Company in shaping British India through corporate violence and pillage.

The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

  • Significant uprising against British rule shaped by various Indian states.

  • States were either in rebellion, loyal to the British, or neutral during the revolt.

  • Key regions affected included Punjab, Awadh, and Bengal.

The Scramble for Africa

  • A competitive rush among European powers to colonize Africa during the late 19th century.

  • Major players included the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

  • The Berlin Conference of 1884 formalized claims and borders among colonizing powers.

Belgian Congo

  • Notable for the extraction of resources, particularly rubber, under brutal conditions.

China in Imperialism

  • Boxer Rebellion in 1899 exemplified resistance against foreign influence.

Tools of Empire

  • Utilization of military force and technology to establish and maintain control over colonies.

Religion, Botany, and Empire

  • Religious motivations intertwined with imperial ambitions.

  • Botanical exploration and exploitation were often connected to imperial expansion efforts, promoting economic interests.