Ch 24 Global Links and Imperialism

Global Links and Imperialism, 1750-1900

Introduction to Imperialism

• Rudyard Kipling's Perspective: The poem "The White Man's Burden" suggests a view of Western superiority and the responsibility of colonizers to civilize nonwhite populations. Debates exist regarding Kipling’s stance on imperialism.

• Imperialism Justification: Such views were often used to justify the expansion of colonial empires by Western European countries targeted in Africa and Asia. The U.S. and Russia also pursued imperial expansion, with the former focusing on the Americas and Pacific, and the latter in Central Asia.

Economic Motives for Imperialism

• Driving Factors: Economics was the primary motive behind imperialism. European industrialization created a high demand for raw materials from Africa and Asia.

• Export Economies: Colonies shifted to export economies, focusing on cash crops rather than local needs, which led to:

  • Dependency on specific crops (e.g., tea, cotton, sugar).

  • Emergence of monocultures, resulting in soil depletion and crop diseases.

• India's Example: British control of India transformed it from a textile producer into a raw cotton supplier.

• Opium Trade: The profitable trade in opium led to the Opium War with China.

• Railroads: The construction of railroads in colonies served primarily imperial interests, facilitating the exportation of resources while exploiting local labor.

Labor Systems

• Exploitation Post-Slavery: The collapse of the slave trade led to the recruitment of indentured laborers from regions like India and China.

• Settler Colonies: Examples include Australia, where convicts from Britain were sent; many remained after serving their terms.

• Indigenous Impacts: The indigenous populations faced diseases and land dispossession, with significant demographic changes.

Political Motives for Imperialism

• Nationalism and Rivalry: Nationalist feelings in Europe led to competition among nations for empire, especially during the "Scramble for Africa."

• Sino-Japanese War: Japan's victorious expansion into Korea showcased its emerging nationalism and imperial ambitions.

Ideological Motives for Imperialism

• Racist Justifications: Imperial ideologies often included claims of racial superiority, motivated partially by pseudoscience (e.g., Social Darwinism).

• Missionary Activity: Driven by both humanitarian and imperialist motives, missionaries aimed to convert and educate colonized peoples, often leading to cultural clashes.

Imperialism in South Asia

• British East India Company: Initially commercial, it evolved into a political force following victories in the Seven Years' War.

• Sepoy Mutiny: Triggered by cultural insensitivity, leading to a brutal British response and the establishment of direct British rule.

Imperialism in Africa

• Continental Presence: Initially minimal, European presence grew through military technology and better medicine. The Berlin Conference set the stage for the division of Africa without African representation.

• Congo Exploitation: King Leopold II's personal rule over the Congo involved horrific labor practices, leading to millions of deaths.

Imperialism in China and Southeast Asia

• Spheres of Influence: Multiple European powers established spheres of influence in China, limiting its autonomy. Competition over resources prompted imperial interests.

• Dutch and French Control: The Dutch expanded in Southeast Asia, while the French dominated Indochina through a similar pattern of exploiting resources.

United States Imperialism

• Monroe Doctrine: Asserted non-European intervention in the Americas but masked imperialist ambitions, exemplified in conflicts like the Spanish-American War.

Responses and Outcomes of Imperialism

• Nationalist Movements: Emerging resistance in colonies led to the formation of groups like the Indian National Congress. Similar movements arose in Africa influenced by Western education.

• Histories of Debate: The impact of imperialism is debated, with some viewing it as beneficial in terms of infrastructure and governance, while others emphasize the exploitation and cultural damage it caused.

• Critical Perspectives: Scholars like Walter Rodney and Edward Said critiqued the exploitation and narratives surrounding imperialism, advocating for greater awareness of colonial impacts.