State EXPANSION [AP World History] Unit 6 Topic 2

Imperialism Overview

  • Definition: Imperialism is the act of extending a nation’s power and influence into other lands through diplomacy or force.

  • Focus Areas: The expansion into Africa and Asia from 1750 to 1900.

Imperial Expansion into Africa

  • Historical Context:

    • European influence in Africa began growing in the 1800s, initially limited to trading posts.

    • Late 1800s saw increased desire for territorial expansion due to economic motivations.

  • Key Events:

    • Suez Canal Completion (1869): Britain sought a shorter trade route, leading to control of the Suez Canal by 1882.

    • Colonial Expansion: Britain expanded its colonies in West Africa, establishing dominance in Sierra Leone, Gambia, Lagos, and the Gold Coast, often through force after disregarding previous diplomatic agreements.

    • French Expansion: France ousted Ottomans from Algeria establishing a settler colony starting in 1830, leading to an influx of European immigrants.

  • The Scramble for Africa:

    • A competitive phase of territorial claims among European powers, leading to the Berlin Conference (1884), which regulated colonization and trade in Africa without African representation.

    • Disastrous boundary drawings led to social and ethnic conflicts.

  • Belgium's Role:

    • King Leopold II claimed Congo as a personal holding, exploiting its resources through harsh labor practices, resulting in significant loss of life (over 8 million).

Imperial Expansion into Asia

  • British Motion in India:

    • Under British East India Company, Britain gradually conquered India, leveraging local troops called sepoys.

  • China's Experience:

    • Western powers exploited China's instability during the Qing Dynasty to impose economic imperialism, leading to carved-up regions known as spheres of influence.

    • The Qing Dynasty was maintained superficially while foreign powers held exclusive trading rights.

  • Japan's Emergence:

    • Japan modernized and became an imperial power post-Meiji Restoration, expanding into Korea, Southeast Asia, and parts of China.

  • Dutch in Southeast Asia:

    • Initially dominated by the Dutch East India Company but later nationalized due to company corruption.

Colonization of Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia:

    • Initially established as a penal colony in 1788.

    • By the 1820s, controlled by Britain, leveraged for wool, copper, and gold production.

  • New Zealand:

    • Settler colony established, leading to conflicts with indigenous Maori people, resulting in significant loss for Maori during the New Zealand Wars.

United States Imperialism

  • Domestic Expansion:

    • Manifest Destiny drove westward expansion, resulting in forced relocation of Native Americans (Indian Removal Act, leading to the Trail of Tears).

  • Overseas Empire:

    • Late 19th-century expansion included the Spanish-American War (1898), acquiring territories like the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.

Russian Expansion

  • Catherine II expanded the Russian Empire by conquering Polish territory from the Ottomans and annexing various regions including Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Finland under subsequent rulers.

Conclusion

  • This overview highlights the varied and often violent nature of imperialism and its lasting impacts on Africa, Asia, and beyond in the late 19th century.