UNIT 6.1-6.3

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization from c. 1750 to c. 1900

Understand the Context

• Technological Change: Framework for historical changes from 1750 to 1900.

  • Industrial growth fostered commodity exchange, overseas empire expansion, and migration patterns.

Imperialism

• 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.

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Resistance to Imperialism

• 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.

Migration

• 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.

6.1 Rationales for Imperialism

• 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.

Nationalist Motives

• 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.

Japan's Assertiveness

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

6.2 State Expansion

• 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.

Imperialism in Africa

• 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.

Expansion Beyond Trading Posts

• 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.

British Control in West Africa

• 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.

The French in Africa

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

The European Scramble for Africa

• 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.

South Africa and Boer Wars

• 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.

Congo Under Leopold

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

Other Territories and Global Imperialism

Independent Territories

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

South Asia and East Asia

• 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.

Economic Motives for Imperialism

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

Responses from Indigenous Populations

• 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.