UNIT 6.1-6.3

Technological Change: Framework for historical changes from 1750 to 1900.
- Industrial growth fostered commodity exchange, overseas empire expansion, and migration patterns.

Colonial Competition: Increased desire for colonies among industrializing states.
- Strengthened control over existing colonies (e.g., British in India).
- Rapid European colonization of Africa.
- Economic imperialism emerged in Latin America and Asia.
- Justifications involved Social Darwinism and religious ideologies.
- Decline of the Portuguese and Spanish empires; rise of British, French, Russian, United States, and Japanese empires.

Anticolonial Movements: Developed as part of emerging nationalism.
- Took various forms including rebellion, new state formation, and religious responses.
- Set stage for decolonization in the 20th century.

Means of Transportation: New methods spurred long-distance migration and urbanization.
- Economic opportunities pulled migrants, but coerced migrations (e.g., slavery, indentured servitude) persisted.
- Migration altered demographics and cultures in both sending and receiving societies.

Rudyard Kipling: His poem urged Western nations to establish colonies for "inferior" people, reflecting colonial attitudes.
- Justifications for Colonization: Included nationalism, economic gain, religious duty, and beliefs of biological superiority.
  - Led to conflicts and a scramble for colonies in Asia and Africa.

Rise of Nationalism: Defined the 1800s in Western Europe; nations sought to assert their identities through empire building.
- Major powers: Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands maintained and sought colonies.
- British Expansion: Following loss of American colonies, Britain sought new lands leading to control over India by 1857 and other territories (Ceylon, Burma, Malay States).
- France: Expanded overseas after Franco-Prussian War by occupying territories including Algeria and parts of Indochina.

Japanese Nationalism: Asserted pride through conflicts (e.g., Sino-Japanese War), leading to territorial gains (Korea, Taiwan).

King Leopold II: Created personal colony in Congo to exploit resources, leading to abuses that prompted Belgium to take control of the region by 1908.

European Economic Interests: Long-standing relationships remained influenced by prior slave trade.
- Continued demands for resources like palm oil, gold, ivory in late 19th century.

Military Technology: Better technology (e.g., quinine) facilitated expansion in Africa and control over regions.
- Suez Canal (1869): Britain seized control of Egypt in 1882 following unrest affecting commerce.

Several colonies established in West Africa, promoting Western education and values:
- Sierra Leone: Home for freed enslaved people.
- Lagos and Ghana: Development through treaties with local rulers leading to military conflicts.
- Growing tensions led to forceful expansion against resistant local rulers.

French Expansion: Established settler colonies in Algeria and trading posts in West Africa to compete with Britain.

Tensions Among Nations: Competition for resources raised fears of conflicts; Bismarck hosted the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) for orderly colonization.
- Lacked participation from Africans, leading to artificial borders causing future conflict.

British Replacement of Dutch Rule: Post-Napoleonic Wars; conflicts arose with Afrikaners and indigenous people.
- Boer Wars (1880-1881, 1899-1902): Brutal conflicts with significant humanitarian crises in camps, especially for African populations.

Massive exploitation and abuses led to millions of deaths during his rule (1865-1908), highlighting severe colonial oppression.

Ethiopia and Liberia: Only uncolonized regions by 1900; Liberia maintained a dependent status.

Imperial Competition in India: Portugal, France, and England competed for resources, with Britain gradually taking control.
- Sepoy Rebellion (1857): Sparked Indian nationalism and harsher British control.
China: Experienced dominance through unequal treaties without direct colonization.
Japan: Followed Western imperialism patterns despite initial isolation.

Seeking profit marked the drive for expansion; colonies provided both resources and markets for manufactured goods.

Nationalist movements emerged as a reaction to imperialism, evidenced in cultural and political revolts across continents.
- Movements were fueled by enlightenment ideas and often led by educated elites.