Nationalism is the belief in the greatness of one's own group, linked by shared language, religion, or social customs.
It contributed to the second wave of Imperialism by fueling the desire for territory and recognition as a great power, leading to increased competition for empire building.
Social Darwinism
Based on Darwin's theory of evolution, Social Darwinism applied the idea of "survival of the fittest" to people.
Social Darwinists believed non-Western races were less developed, resulting in "scientific racism."
Industrialized European states used Social Darwinism to justify taking over unindustrialized states, believing they were entitled to do so as the "fit" over the "unfit."
Civilizing Mission
Imperial nations believed they had to transform the people they conquered by teaching them Western ways and converting them to Christianity.
In America and Canada, this involved attempts to erase Indigenous culture, encapsulated in the slogan "kill the Indian in him to save the man."
Belgian Congo
King Leopold II of Belgium privately owned the Congo, exploiting its land and people for rubber extraction.
His brutal actions led the Belgian government to take control of the colony.
Diplomacy and Warfare in Africa
The Berlin Conference (1884–1885), led by Germany’s Otto von Bismarck, was where European countries divided Africa to avoid conflict among themselves.
No African leaders were invited.
New borders caused future conflicts by mixing enemy groups or splitting communities.
The British fought the Dutch in the Boer Wars in South Africa.
They gained control and forced the Dutch and native Africans into harsh camps where many died.
Settler Colonies
The British established settler colonies in Australia and New Zealand.
They spread diseases that decimated Indigenous populations.
Settler colonies were also established in Africa.
U.S. Imperialism
The U.S. expanded westward under the concept of Manifest Destiny, displacing Native Americans onto reservations.
The U.S. took the Philippines after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War.
Russian Expansion
Russia expanded by taking over Siberia and land in the south and west.
They promoted Pan-Slavism, the unification of all Slavic people under Russian rule.
Japanese Imperialism
Japan expanded its influence over Korea, Manchuria, and parts of China through rapid industrialization during the Meiji Restoration.
Economic Imperialism
Economic Imperialism is the control over another state using economic measure.
British Economic Imperialism in China
In the 19th century, Britain faced a trade imbalance with China.
Britain sold opium to China to fix this, but China banned it.
The First Opium War and the Treaty of Nanjing resulted, giving Britain more power in China, including control over ports.
Opium sales continued, giving Europe an economic advantage.
Instability in China and European Control
Rebellions like the Taiping Rebellion and wars like the Second Opium War led to China being divided into areas controlled by Western powers, Japan, and Russia.
Economic Imperialism in Latin America
The United Fruit Company gained economic power in Latin America, especially Costa Rica, by building railroads and ports in exchange for control of land to grow bananas.
Economic Imperialism vs. Economics of Imperialism
Economic imperialism: CAUSE
A method states use to control various places.
Economics of imperialism: EFFECT
How global economics changed as a result of imperialism.
Export Economies
An export economy is structured around the export of commodities.
They are a continuity of the period c. 1450-1750 CE: Export economies were created to support imperial powers. Colonies supplied raw materials and bought finished goods, becoming dependent on the mother country.
Examples of New Export Economies
The British forced India and Egypt to grow cotton for export.
West African economies focused on palm oil exports for machine lubrication.
Other economies focused on food products like coffee or meat.
Increased Migration
Industrialization led to increased migration due to technologies like railroads and steamships.
Environmental Causes of Increased Migration
Europe's population growth caused job shortages, leading people to move to cities.
Famines, like the Irish Potato Famine, pushed millions to migrate, many to the United States.
Desire for Work and Migration
Some migrants freely chose to relocate.
Others were part of semi-coerced labor systems.
Indentured Servitude
The British brought Indian and Chinese workers to replace enslaved people.
They were trapped in long hours and poor conditions due to manipulated contracts.
Convict Labor
The British and French used penal colonies in Australia and French Guiana.
Convicts performed hard labor on imperial projects like railroads.
Social Effects of Increased Migration
Because most migrants were men, home countries saw gender imbalances, leading to women taking on traditionally male roles.
Cultural Effects of Increased Migration
Many migrants formed ethnic neighborhoods, like Chinatown or Little Italy, where they found familiar foods and goods.
Negative Social Effects of Increased Migration
Nativism rose in some places, with prejudice against new minorities.
The U.S. passed the Chinese Exclusion Act and Australia, the White Australia Policy, limited Asian immigration.
Resistance Against Imperialism
Western education led to questions about imperial states conquering other lands due to Enlightenment ideas like popular sovereignty and natural rights.
European Opposition to Imperialism
Some, like Joseph Conrad, criticized its brutality.
Others, like economist J.A. Hobson, felt it created an unstable market and could harm economics.
Direct Resistance Within Empires
The Yaa Asantewaa War occurred when the British tried to control the Asante Kingdom.
Queen Yaa Asantewaa led the resistance, but the British won due to advanced weapons.
Creation of New States as Resistance
The Cherokee Nation was forced to move to Oklahoma but kept their government and culture.
The Zulu Kingdom resisted British control for a while, creating a new state at the edge of British South Africa.
Rebellions Influenced by Religious Ideas
The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement in South Africa involved slaughtering cattle to bring new ones and drive out the British.
Instead, many Xhosa people starved, and the British took full control of their land.