Age of Imperalism notes

The Age of Imperialism (1850-1914)

What is Imperialism?

• Definition: Stronger countries or nations take control of weaker ones.

Reasons for European Imperialism

1. Industrialization

   • Need for:

     • Land for trading and military posts

     • Natural resources and raw materials

     • New markets for products

2. Influence of Mercantilism and Industrial Factors.

Historical Context

Industrialization and Imperialism

• Example: Interior of the Poznariski Co weaving mill in Lóda (1906).

European Control Over Colonies

• Europeans aimed to dominate all aspects:

  • Politics, Society, Economy, Culture, and Customs.

Types of Imperialism

Methods of Management

1. Direct Control

   • Paternalism: Europeans provide for local people but grant no rights.

   • Assimilation: Local peoples adopt the ruling culture.

2. Indirect Control

   • Limited self-rule for local governments with some colonial oversight.

Forms of Control

• Colony: Governed completely by a foreign power.

• Protectorate: Self-governing but under outside control.

• Sphere of Influence: Outside power controls investments and trading.

• Economic Imperialism: Business interests exert control in areas.

The Scramble for Africa

Territorial Claims

• European powers carve out territories across Africa by 1900, with nations like Belgium, France, and Britain having extensive claims.

Africa Before European Domination

• Divided into hundreds of ethnic groups.

• Traditional beliefs, Islam, and Christianity prevalent.

• Control of trade networks held by Africans.

Motivations Behind the Scramble for Africa

• Desire for land rich in resources like gold, diamonds, and rubber.

• Europeans driven by various interests including exploration, mission work, and humanitarian efforts.

King Leopold II of Belgium

• Took control of the Congo Basin by making exploitative treaties with local chiefs, claiming to end the slave trade.

• His regimes sparked alarm among other European nations leading to further land grabs in Africa.

Driving Forces of Imperialism

1. European Superiority: Ideologies like racism and Social Darwinism justify imperialistic endeavors.

2. Technological advancements that enable control and dominance.

The Berlin Conference (1884)

• Significant Points:

  • Division of Africa with no representation for African rulers.

  • This division disregarded complex ethnic and cultural differences.

  • By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent.

South Africa

• Conflicts:

  • Zulu nation led by Shaka fought against the British but lost.

  • The Boers, Dutch settlers, had been in control since the mid-1600s.

The Boer War (1899-1902)

• Fought between the British and the Boers involving many African participants; significant for its total warfare methods.

Effects of European Imperialism in Africa

1. Negative Effects:

   • Loss of land and independence for Africans.

   • Traditional cultures disintegrate.

2. Positive Effects:

   • Improvements in sanitation, hospitals, and schools; infrastructure develops.

   • Technological progress spurs economic growth.

Ottoman Empire and European Powers

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

• Begins declining after 1566; European powers exploit its weakness.

Key Wars and Territories During Imperialism

Crimean War (1853)

• Conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Empire resulting in demonstrated Ottoman weakness despite Russia's loss.

Control in India

• Britain controls India through the East India Company, noted for vast resources and referred to as the "Jewel in the Crown".

Impact of British Rule in India

• Led to faster movement of goods but resulted in famines due to the focus on cash crops.

• Cultural disruption caused by racism and missionary activity.

Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

• Indian soldiers (Sepoys) revolting over cultural insensitivity leading to British direct control and increased distrust.

Nationalism in India

• A rise in calls for reform and modernization movements, clouded by ethnic and religious tensions.

Southeast Asia Imperialism

• European powers expand into Southeast Asia; results include modernization for profit but increase in racial and religious conflicts.

Imperialism in China

Economic and Political Context

• China remains self-sufficient but loses this status due to foreign influences, particularly through the opium trade.

Opium War (1839-1842)

• Conflict between China and Britain leading to treaty humiliations for China and a shift in power dynamics.

Chinese Nationalism and the Boxer Rebellion

• Response to foreign privileges, marking the rise of nationalism and attempts at reform.