Imperialism
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OGT Social Studies Prep – Session 3
Imperialism is the policy of powerful countries seeking to control the
economic and political affairs of weaker countries or regions.
Countries took control of territories through imperialism to gain
power and wealth.
The global impact of imperialism in the late 1800s and early 1900s
included the modernization of Japan, political and social reform in
China, and the exploitation of African resources.
The colonizers and the people who were colonized had different
perspectives on how to deal with language, natural resources, labor,
political systems, and religion.
It’s Important
The United States gained control of foreign lands
through imperialistic policies that had an impact on the
people living in those lands.
The Spanish-American War brought the United States
into the affairs of countries in East Asia, the South
Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America.
It’s Important
IN AFRICA…
European nations imperialized Africa for the resources that
could be found there.
Oil, coal, iron ore, copper, gold, and diamonds
European imperialistic nations – Britain, France, Germany,
Spain, Belgium, and Portugal – all raced to establish colonies in
Africa.
Colonies =
Economic Power, Prestige, Political
Power to countries who held them.
Imperialism –
World Studies
In Africa…
In the 1880s - European countries nearly went to war with one another
as a result of competition over land claims and economic rights.
In 1885 – They divided Africa among themselves without
consulting the African people they would rule.
Colonial rule of Africa
- Brought wealth and power to Western nations
- Devastated traditional ways of life in Africa
European languages, customs, dress and religion were
seen as civilizing forces to be applied to native Africans.
Please go to Ms. E’s web page at www.copley-fairlawn.org/estright under the Social
Studies OGT Prep page for a detailed PowerPoint about European Imperialism in Africa.
Imperialism –
World Studies
In China…
China became a site of economic competition in the 1800s.
Britain, France, Germany, Japan, & Russia established spheres of influence in
China.
Sphere of Influence – Region in which a country had exclusive
rights to invest in mines, railroads, and factories.
The US did NOT have a sphere, but insisted on the same trading
rights as those granted to other countries by China.
Open Door Policy – Letter sent from Sec. of State, John Hay,
urging the European powers who had spheres of influence in
China open to others/each other.
- Meant to prevent colonization in China
- No formal colonies BUT China was clearly dominated.
Imperialism –
World Studies
For 2000+ years, China was ruled by emperors…
Boundaries shifted through the years… So did the
families holding title of emperor… Empire endured
attacks from outside and unrest on inside… Basic
structure of China remained (largely) unchanged for
all those years.
Imperialism – WS - China
China changed when imperialistic powers attempted to tap
into China’s vast markets and abundant resources… Dynasty
(that had governed for 200 years) began to lose control.
Disagreements among Chinese over how to deal with
foreign influence.
Taiping Rebellion – 1851-1864 – Millions of Chinese
died; Rebellion stopped short of full
revolution; Resulted in political reforms.
Imperialism – WS - China
By 1890s –
Japan, Britain, Russia, Germany, and France – ready to
carve up China for colonies
Nationalism increased among Chinese – United Chinese against
outsiders.
1900 – Boxer Rebellion – Chinese Nationalists = Boxers
Boxers targeted Europeans & Americans for death
Took army of soldiers from 8 countries (including US) to crush
the Boxers.
Chinese rulers tried to reform and modernize, but it was too late.
Imperialism – China –
WS & US
Nationalist feelings increased; Revolutionary groups gained
strength.
1905 – United League – Goals: Throwing out foreigners,
replacing old rulers with democratic gov’t and
improving lives of common Chinese citizens.
Imperialism – China - WS
October 1911 – Chinese troops who supported the
United League revolted.
By December – Southern & Central provinces in
China declared independence
Sun Yixian elected president of
Republic of China
February 12, 1912 – last emperor of China gave
up throne (6 yr old Pu Yi)
Imperialism – China - WS
Effects of 1911
Chinese Revolution of 1911
Significance: Brought an end of one of the world’s oldest
political systems.
Former revolutionaries formed Kuomintang.
Kuomintang defeated in 1949 by Chinese Communists led by
Mao Zedong (after 4 year civil war).
In 40 years, China went from empire to republic to People’s
Republic of China – one of the world’s last communist states.
People’s Republic of China – vast size, HUGE population,
powerful economy – one of the world’s dominant nations.
Imperialism – China - WS
IT’S IMPORTANT:
The US gained control of foreign lands through imperialistic
policies that had an impact on the people living in those lands.
The Spanish-American War brought the US into the affairs of
countries in East Asia, the South Pacific, and Central America.
Imperialism - US
IMPERIALISM involves extending power by gaining
territorial, economic, or political control over other
nations.
Until the late 1800s, the US tried to stay out of foreign
affairs.
Toward the end of the 19th century (Late 1800s), several
factors contributed to America’s emerging interest in
foreign lands (swinging away from isolationism).
Imperialism - US
Americans were migrating to new lands in North America
Alaska purchased in 1867 from Russia.
Needed new markets for goods.
Manifest Destiny – idea that the US was destined to expand
across North America to the Pacific – taken further… Americans
believed they should spread democracy.
This perceived moral obligation often resulted in racist
and ethnocentric attitudes. (In other words, our way is
right – not yours.)
Imperialism - US
Technology played an important role in America’s
expansion.
Steamships and telegraphs were a
link to the world beyond broad
oceans.
US didn’t want other nations taking
control of strategic locations that
could be naval bases or re-fueling
stations.
Monroe Doctrine – Stated US would not tolerate
European intervention in the Americas; US would
intervene to help countries close gain independence.
Imperialism - US
Cubans wanted independence from Spain; Spain refused.
Americans sympathized with Cubans; We had wanted
independence from British.
Americans had business interests in Cuba .
Early 1898 – US sent battleship Maine to Havana harbor
to protect American citizens & property
Early February – Maine exploded and sank! 260 sailors
killed
Imperialism – US –
Spanish-American War
YELLOW JOURNALISM – Type of writing that tried to stir up
emotions of readers; News reporting , often biased or untrue, that
relies on sensational stories and headlines; Used by Joseph Pulitzer
(Publisher of NY World) and William Randolph Hearst (Publisher of
NY Journal)
- Got American public stirred up and wanting to get even with
Spain.
Congress declared war on Spain in April of 1898
Imperialism – USSpanish-American War
Causes:
American sympathy with Cubans wanting independence
Spanish atrocities (reconcentration) aroused sympathy, too.
American business interests in Cuba
Maine Explosion
Yellow Journalism
Effects:
US bought Philippines (cheap from Spain), took over Puerto Rico and Guam.
Cuba gained independence from Spain; became protectorate of US
Marked the United States’ entrance onto the WORLD SCENE (international
stage)
Spanish-American War
By 1900 – US territories included Hawaii, Philippines, American Samoa (Germany
had the other part), Guam & Puerto Rico)
FOREIGN POLICY (with dealing with Latin America)
Theodore Roosevelt
Big Stick Diplomacy
Roosevelt Corollary – Extension/Addition to the Monroe
Doctrine – Gave US “international police power” –
stated that the US had a right to intervene in Latin
America to preserve law & order.
William Howard Taft
Dollar Diplomacy – Gave money instead of bullets to help LA countries.
Woodrow Wilson
Moral Diplomacy – Tried to talk things out with leaders of LA countries, including
Mexico.
These diplomatic relations were not effective with dealing with Mexico (Pancho
Villa)
US almost went to war with Mexico BUT WWI began and we ended up focusing
on that instead.
Imperialism - US
“What happened to our noninvolvement policy? Now our
U.S. soldiers are invading island countries halfway around
the world.”
Which of the following is an island country to which
the speaker might be referring?
A. CUBA
B.
NICARAGUA
C.
THE PHILIPPINES
D. PUERTO RICO
Practice Multiple Choice
with quote.
The Industrial Revolution sparked a
second round of imperialism by
European powers, especially in Africa
and Asia. Identify & briefly describe 2
reasons why European nations practiced
imperialism at this time in history.
Practice Short Answer
MORE TEST TAKING
STATEGIES
- General Strategies
As you read and understand the question, try to guess what the
answer will be.
Remember that several answer choices are wrong AND
once you start reading them, your mind will immediately
become cluttered with answer choices designed to throw
you off.
Your mind is typically the most focused immediately after you’ve
read the question and taken in what it’s about (the contents).
If you can, try to PREDICT what the correct answer will
be.
USE YOUR HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE!!!
(You may be surprised at what you can predict!)
Look for an answer that goes along with your prediction.
Make Predictions
Only pick answer choices THAT ANSWER THE
QUESTION.
(Test writers can create some great sounding answers
that are WRONG.)
Don’t pick an answer just because it sounds right, or that
you believe to be true.
The choice MUST ANSWER THE QUESTION.
Once you’ve made your choice, check it against the
question.
Make sure you didn’t misread the question and the
answer choice DOES answer the GIVEN question.
Answer the Question
After reading the 1st answer choice, decide if you think it sounds correct
or not.
If it does NOT, move on to the next answer choice.
If it DOES, mentally mark that answer choice.
(This doesn’t mean that you’ve DEFINITELY selected it as
your answer choice. It just means that it’s the BEST YOU’VE
SEEN SO FAR.)
Go on to the next answer choice.
If the next answer choice is BETTER than the choice you’ve already
selected, mentally mark the NEW answer choice as your BEST GUESS.
The 1st answer choice you selected becomes your standard.
Every other answer choice must be benchmarked against that
choice/standard.
The choice is correct until proven otherwise by another choice
beating it out.
Once you’ve decided no other choice seems as good, DO ONE FINAL
CHECK!
Make SURE that your answer choice answers the given question.
Benchmark
Don’t discount any of the information provided in the question.
Every piece of information may be necessary to determine
the correct answer.
In most cases, the info in the question is not there to throw you
off (unlike with answer choices).
If 2 seemingly unrelated topics are discussed in the
question, DON’T IGNORE EITHER.
There’s most likely a relationship or it wouldn’t be
included.
You are probably going to have to determine what the
relationship is to find the answer.
Valid Information
Don’t get distracted by a choice that is FACTUALLY TRUE.
YOUR SEARCH IS FOR THE ANSWER CHOICE THAT ANSWERS
THE QUESTION!
STAY FOCUSED; Don’t fall for an answer that is true BUT INcorrect.
ALWAYS go back to the question and MAKE SURE you’re choosing an
answer that actually ANSWERS THE QUESTION and is NOT just a true
statement.
(An answer choice CAN be factually correct, but it MUST
ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED.)
2 answer can both seem to be correct, so be sure to read ALL OF THE
ANSWER CHOICES and MAKE SURE that you get the one that BEST
ANSWERS THE QUESTION.
Avoid “Fact Traps”
If you are stumped by a question, remember this: THE QUESTION
ITSELF CAN GIVE YOU MANY CLUES THAT WILL HELP YOU
FIND THE CORRECT ANSWER.
Watch for adjectives (words that describe) and nouns (person, place,
thing, or idea) describing difficult terms/words you don’t recognize.
(Regardless of if you completely understand a word or not,
replacing it with a synonym either provided or one you’re
more familiar with may help you understand what the
question is asking.)
Don’t wrack your brain about specific detailed information concerning a
difficult word/term… Try to use mental substitutes (synonyms) that are
easier to understand.
Milk the Question
DON’T JUST CHOOSE A WORD BECAUSE YOU RECOGNIZE IT!
Test writers don’t put “make-believe” words on the test; so don’t
think that just because you only recognize all the words in one
answer choice means that that answer choice is the correct one.
If you only recognize words in one answer choice, then focus on that one.
Is it correct? (Try your best to determine if it’s correct.)
If it’s correct, GREAT!
If it’s not, ELIMINATE IT.
Each word/answer choice you eliminate increases your
chances of getting the question correct, even if you have
to guess between unfamiliar choices.
Trap of Familiarity
ELIMINATE CHOICES AS SOON AS YOU REALIZE THEY ARE WRONG!
(But be careful : ) ! )
Make sure you consider ALL of the possible answer choices.
(Just because one seems right doesn’t mean that the next one
won’t be better!)
Test writers usually put more than one good answer choice for every question, SO
READ ALL OF THEM.
Don’t worry if you’re stuck between 2 that seem right. By getting it
down to 2 choices, your odds of getting it correct are 50/50.
Rather than wasting too, much time, play the odds.
You’re guessing. Guess wisely. You’ve knocked out choices that you
know are wrong.
IF you have eliminated choices and you’re down to the last one and
realize it’s wrong, DON’T PANIC!
Start over and consider EACH choice again.
(There will probably be something that you missed the 1st time
through. You’ll realize it the 2nd time around.)
Eliminate Answers
If you are stumped on a question that seems to be too hard or difficult,
don’t waste time… MOVE ON! BUT BEFORE YOU DO –
REMEMBER – If you can quickly check for obviously incorrect answer
choices, your chances of guessing correctly go up!
Before you completely give up, at least try to knock out a couple of
possible answer choices.
Eliminate what you can and then guess at the remaining answer choices
BEFORE MOVING ON.
YOU NEED TO FILL SOMETHING IN ON THE OGT.
LEAVE NOTHING BLANK!
Tough Questions
If you get stuck on a difficult question, spend a few seconds quickly
brainstorming.
Run through the complete list of possible answer choices.
Look at each question and ask, “Could this answer the
question satisfactory?”
Go through each answer choice and consider it
independently/ separately of the others.
By systematically going through all possibilities, you may
find something you would have otherwise overlooked.
Remember: If you get stuck, it’s important to keep moving.
Brainstorm
Understand the problem.
Read the question and answer choices carefully.
Don’t miss the question because you misread the terms.
You have plenty of time to reach each question and
make sure you understand what’s being asked.
REACH A HAPPY MEDIUM: Don’t waste too,
much time; BUT, you MUST read carefully, so
read efficiently.
Read Carefully