Modern World History - Imperialism

Imperialism
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries poitically, socially, and economically.


King Leopold II
King of Belgium (r. 1865-1909). He was active in encouraging the exploration of Central Africa and became the ruler of the Congo Free State (to 1908). (p. 732)


Belgian Congo
Exploited by Leopold II at Belgium under the Berlin Act, Leopold was supposed to act as a trustee. He violated the agreement and stripped the country of its resources.


nationalism
A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country


Social Darwinism
19th century of belief that evolutionary ideas theorized by Charles Darwin could be applied to society.


Cecil Rhodes
Born in 1853, played a major political and economic role in colonial South Africa. He was a financier, statesman, and empire builder with a philosophy of mystical imperialism.


missionaries
people sent out to carry a religious message; also focuses on converting non-Christians to Christianity


Westernize
To modernize or make your country more like European countries.


Maxim Gun
the first automatic machine gun; invention that allowed conquest of the interior of Africa


malaria
An infectious disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes


quinine
a drug used for fighting malaria and other fevers


scramble for Africa
Term given for the rapid invasion of Africa by the various European powers. This began imperialism in Africa.


Berlin Conference
(1884-1885) During European Imperialism, various European leaders met in Berlin, Germany to discuss plans for dividing Africa peacefully. These leaders had little regard for African independence, and had no representation for native Africans. This began the process of imperializing Africa.


cash crops
crops such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities in order to be sold for profit


Boer War
(1899-1902) War between Great Britain and the Boers in South Africa over control of rich mining country. Great Britain won and created the Union of South Africa comprised of all the South African colonies.


indirect control
Style of imperial control where local government officials are used; limited self rule; the goal was to develop future leaders; government institutions were based on European styles but may have had local rules as well.


direct control
Used by French and other Europeans in Africa. The goal was assimilation, and no self-rule


sphere of influence
A foreign region in which a nation has control over trade and other economic activities.


economic imperialism
Independent but less developed nations controlled by private business interests rather than by other governments


geopolitics
An interest in or taking of land for its strategic location or products


Suez Canal
A human-made waterway, which was opened in 1869, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea


British East India Company
A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years.


sepoy
Indian soldiers serving under British officers in the British East India Company army


Jewel in the Crown
the British colony of India--- so called because of its importance in the British empire, both as a supplier of raw materials and as a market for British trade goods


Sepoy Rebellion
The revolt of Indian soldiers in 1857 against certain practices that violated religious customs; also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.


Raj
-referring to British rule after India came under the British crown during the reign of Queen Victoria (1858-1947)


Queen Victoria
British Queen, under whose rule the British empire reached the height of its wealth and power, forced to accept a new, virtually powerless role after the Chartist movement


opium
Narcotic (drug) from the poppy plant, used in pain relievers and illegal drugs, highly addictive


Opium Wars
two wars between Great Britain and China that began in 1839 as a conflict over the opium trade and ended in 1860 with the Chinese cession of Hong Kong to the British, the opening of five Chinese ports to foreign merchants, and the grant of other commercial and diplomatic privileges in the Treaty of Nanking.


extraterritorial rights
under these rights foreigners are not subjected to the laws of the country they stand on but instead those of their own country.


open door policy
A policy proposed by the US in 1899, under which ALL nations would have equal opportunities to trade in China.


Boxer Rebellion
A 1900 revolt in China, aimed at ending foreign influence in the country.


Treaty of Kanagawa
a treaty signed between the U.S. and Japan allowing Japan to open two ports to the U.S.


Meiji Era
The period of time from 1867 to 1912, where the Japanese were under a new form of government. The leader tried to end Japan's problems by modernizing, and sending statesmen to Europe and North America to study foreign ways. This helped strengthen economic and military power.


Sino-Japanese War
(1894-1895) Japan's imperialistic war against China to gain control of natural resources and markets for their goods. It ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth which granted Japan Chinese port city trading rights, control of Manchuria, the annexation of the island of Sakhalin, and Korea became its protectorate.


Russo-Japanese War
(1904-1905) War between Russia and Japan over imperial possessions (Korea and Manchuria). Japan emerges victorious.