Imperialism

• Imperialism - Domination of one country by another for political, economic, and social control.

• Colonialism - Establishment of colonies in foreign lands to exploit resources and markets.

• Sphere of Influence - Region where one country has exclusive trade and investment rights.

• White Man’s Burden - Idea that Europeans had a moral duty to civilize non-European peoples (from a Rudyard Kipling poem).

• Social Darwinism - Belief that stronger nations were destined to dominate weaker ones, based on Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Major Events

• Berlin Conference (1884–1885) - Meeting where European powers divided Africa into colonies without consulting African leaders.

• Scramble for Africa - Rapid invasion and colonization of Africa by European nations in the late 19th century.

• Opium Wars (1839–1842, 1856–1860) - Conflicts between Britain and China over British opium trade, resulting in Chinese concessions.

• Sepoy Rebellion (1857) - Indian soldiers (sepoys) revolted against British East India Company rule due to cultural insensitivity.

• Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) - Anti-foreign uprising in China aiming to expel foreign influence and missionaries.

• Meiji Restoration (1868) - Japan’s rapid modernization and industrialization to resist Western domination.

Important People

• Cecil Rhodes - British imperialist who expanded British control in Africa and dreamed of a railway from Cape to Cairo.

• Gandhi - Leader of India’s independence movement against British imperial rule; used nonviolent resistance.

• Shaka Zulu - Leader of the Zulu Kingdom who resisted British and Boer incursions in Southern Africa.

• King Leopold II - Belgian king who exploited the Congo for its resources, leading to widespread atrocities.

• Matthew Perry - U.S. naval officer who forced Japan to open its ports to Western trade in 1853.

Regions Impacted by Imperialism

• India - Controlled by the British East India Company and later the British Crown; led to revolts like the Sepoy Rebellion.

• China - Divided into spheres of influence by foreign powers after losing the Opium Wars.

• Africa - Partitioned by European powers during the Berlin Conference; resistance included leaders like Shaka Zulu.

• Japan - Modernized during the Meiji Restoration to resist Western domination and later became an imperialist power itself.

• Southeast Asia - Colonized by European powers (e.g., French Indochina, Dutch East Indies).

Effects of Imperialism

• Positive Effects:

• Introduction of modern infrastructure (railroads, telegraphs).

• Spread of Western education and legal systems.

• Negative Effects:

• Exploitation of resources and labor.

• Destruction of local cultures and economies.

• Artificial borders causing long-term ethnic conflicts.

Key Terms

• Direct Rule - Colonizing power directly controls the government of the colony (e.g., French colonies).

• Indirect Rule - Colonizing power governs through local rulers (e.g., British colonies).

• Protectorate - Local government remains in place but is controlled by a foreign power (e.g., Egypt under British control).

• Extraterritoriality - Foreign residents are exempt from local laws (e.g., British in China).

• Open Door Policy - U.S. policy advocating for equal trade access in China.