12._The_Context-Why_Empire_1

The Context: Why Empire?

Overview of Imperialism

• Imperialism is a historically significant and controversial subject with roots in wars caused by European expansion.

• The expansion often met indifference or hostility from the local populations.

Hobson and the Economic Rationale

• J. A. Hobson criticized the Second South African War (1899-1902) as a conspiracy benefiting a small group of capitalists, notably Cecil Rhodes.

• Hobson argued that military mobilization was unjust, focused on personal gains rather than the common good.

• He viewed imperialism as an economic activity driven by the need for capitalists to invest in new territories due to saturated home markets.

Lenin's Perspective

• Lenin expanded Hobson's ideas, declaring imperialism as capitalism's 'highest stage', a necessary evolution to alleviate social and economic crises.

• He argued that capitalists sought external territories for cheap resources and markets, delaying capitalism's inevitable crisis.

Imperial Motivations in South Africa

• Illustrations from the diamond and gold rush depict the tense atmosphere between British immigrants and the Boer population, leading to conflicts like the Boer War.

Economic Dynamics of Early Empires

Old Empires and Labour

• Early imperial economies relied on slave labour and resource extraction, not wage labour which characterizes industrial capitalism.

• Imperialism historically yielded limited profits for colonizing nations, often at high administrative costs.

Mercantilism vs. Free Trade

• D. K. Fieldhouse noted that mercantilism, protecting imperial economies, failed as a sustainable economic theory.

• As Britain shifted towards free trade in the 19th century, it attempted to leverage imperialism as a means to spread Western civilization and free market principles.

• Profit from colonies was minimal; capital mainly flowed to North America and Australia rather than colonies.

The Financial Burden of Empire

Economic Failures of Empires

• Hubert Lyautey criticized the reliance of the French empire on subsidies and military occupation, reflecting a lack of productive investment.

• German colonies, such as Togo, required substantial subsidies for minimal economic return.

• Many imperial holdings became a financial drain, with little trade coming from colonies.

The Limitations of Capitalists as Imperialists

• Capitalists showed limited enthusiasm for empire-building; most preferred established governments to invest in trade.

• Colonies required extensive military and administrative support, yielding benefits that rarely justified expenses.

Imperialism as Nationalism

• Contrary to Lenin's view, imperialism was more about nationalism than capitalism. The imperialism support base was limited to elites driven by military, journalistic, and nationalistic aspirations.

• Various groups supported imperialism for different reasons, but the core support was often about national pride rather than economic benefit.

Important Figures and Events in Imperialism

A.T. Mahan and Navalism

• A. T. Mahan's work linked sea power with national prosperity, influencing naval officer perspectives on imperial expansions.

• His theories were cited by navalists promoting expansion during tensions leading to World War I.

Political Leadership and Empire

• Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli viewed empire as essential for national strength, exemplified by his actions in the Middle East and Africa to secure British interests.

• He used the Suez Canal for strategic control, elevating the empire to a national symbol of pride and prosperity.

Counterarguments from William Gladstone

• Disraeli’s imperialism faced strong criticism from Gladstone, who labeled it a facade that masked the injustices of colonization.

• Gladstone's dramatic denunciations framed wars as exploitive, leading to electoral ramifications for imperial policies.

Conclusion

• The complexities around imperialism reveal a narrative that intertwines economic motivations, national pride, military strategy, and political discourse, shaping the historical legacy of empires.

/

Imperialism Overview

• Historical Significance: Imperialism is associated with European expansion, which often met resistance from local populations.

Lenin's Theory vs. Economic Reality

• Lenin's Argument: Declares imperialism as capitalism's 'highest stage', suggesting that capitalist nations sought external territories due to internal crises.

• Counterpoints:

  • Early imperial economies relied on slave labor and resource extraction rather than wage labor, challenging the notion of capitalism's end stage.

  • Imperialism yielded limited profits for colonizing nations, as noted by Hubert Lyautey, who pointed out the financial drain of colonies requiring subsidies.

  • The reality of capitalists was that many preferred investing in established governments instead of empire-building, undermining Lenin's economic motivations.

Other Motivations for Western Colonization

• Nationalism Over Economics:

  • Imperialism often stemmed from nationalistic aspirations rather than pure economic motivations. The support base was primarily limited to elites, driven by military and national pride rather than profit.

• Illustrations from South Africa: Conflicts like the Boer War highlighted tensions and were more about contrasting societal values and national identities than economic gain.

  • For instance, diamond and gold rushes increased animosity between British immigrants and local Boers, indicating that colonial conflict was often about identity rather than economic exploitation.

Key Figures and Their Perspectives

• A.T. Mahan's Navalism: Focused on sea power as critical for national prosperity, pushing imperial ambitions linked to military strength rather than economic theory.

• Political Leadership:

  • Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli emphasized national strength through empire, leveraging these narratives in the face of criticism from figures like William Gladstone, who condemned imperialism as exploitative.

Conclusion

• The debate surrounding imperialism illustrates how economic rationales do not fully explain the complex motivations driving colonial efforts, encompassing national pride and military strategy.