Imperialism
Old & New Imperialism
Imperialism
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Definition: the control of one people by
another (can be political, economic or
cultural)
Old vs. New Imperialism
“Old Imperialism”
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Occurred between 16th and 18th centuries
European powers did not usually acquire territory
(except for Spain in Americas and Portugal in
Brazil) but rather built a series of trading stations
Respected and frequently cooperated with local
rulers in India, China, Japan, Indonesia, and other
areas where trade flourished between locals and
European coastal trading centers.
Economic penetration of non-European regions in
the 19th century
New Imperialism
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Began in 1870s colonized Asia and Africa
by using military force to take control of
local governments
Exploiting local economies for raw
materials required by Europe’s growing
industry
Imposing Western values to benefit the
“backwards” colonies.
Japan
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Only major Asian
power to resist being
swallowed up by the
imperialists.
Commodore Matthew
Perry (U.S.): forced
Japan to open trade in
1853
Japan
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Unlike China, Japan quickly modernized
and became an imperial power by late 19th
century
Meiji Restoration, 1867: resulted in series
of reforms to compete with the West
Russo-Japanese War (1904)
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Russia and Japan both had designs on Manchuria
and Korea
Japanese concerned about Russian TransSiberian Railway across Manchuria
Japan destroyed Russian fleet off coast of Korea
and won major battles on land although Russians
turned the tide on land subsequently.
Westerners horrified that Japan had defeated a
major Western power.
Russo-Japanese War (1904)
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Treaty of Portsmouth (mediated by U.S.
president Theodore Roosevelt) ended war with
Japan winning major concessions (preferred
position in Manchuria, protectorate in Korea, half
of Sakhalin Island
Long-term impact of war: Russia turned to the
Balkans, Russian Revolution, and revolt of Asia in
20th century (Asians hoped to emulate Japan
power and win their independence); annexation of
Korea
Asia
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France: Jules Ferry – Indochina
Britain: Burma, Malay Peninsula, North Borneo
Germany: certain Pacific islands
Russia: Persia, outlying provinces of China
Spanish-American War, 1898: U.S. defeated
Spain, took Philippines, Guam, Hawaii.
Responses to Western Imperialism in Asia
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India was the jewel of the British Empire
Mogul Empire: Muslims empire in Indian
subcontinent fell apart in the 17th century
US
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Secured unequal treaty with Samoa for
naval station
Agreed to share between US, Brit and
Germany.
1893 US sugar planters overthrew Queen
Liliukalani and asked US govern to take
over
Helped Philippines against Spain and then
took it – modernized Philippines.
Siam- buffer between France and
Britain’s empires.
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Survives as King Mongkut studied west
Learned languages, modern science and
math
Reformed government and modernized
army
Hired westerners to modernize
Allowed some women’s rights and
abolished slavery
Canada
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1763 France lost Canada to Britain
1791 Brit created 2 provinces English
speaking and French speaking.
1840 Durham Report reunited Canada with
elected representative body for domestic
issues. Britain for foreign affairs and trade.
1867 Dominion of Canada – British crown
but almost full self government.
Canada
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Native peoples pushed into western area
Rule by European descendants
Modernization
Immigration from all over
French speaking Canadians wanted own
state
Australia
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1770s US revolution closed US to Britain
as penal colony
1770 Captain James Cook claimed
Australia for Britain as used for convicts
1788 1st convicts sent for stealing bread,
books etc and had to clear land to build.
1800 offers of free land to settlers
Australia
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1851 Gold Rush brought more people
Settled as ranchers and farmers
Worry about other Western powers
claiming Australia, Britain gave self rule
1901 Commonwealth of Australia with
Britain monarch. (British descendants)
Votes for women and secret ballot.
New Zealand
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1769 claimed by Captain Cook.
1814 Missionaries arrived
Settlers attracted by climate and soil.
Maoris fought but eventually lost and
population fell
1907 NZ demanded self rule and as govern
would be all Brit descendents won it
1893 1st votes for women
Wht?
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Why Canada, Australia and New Zealand
little trouble getting independence from
Britain?
Latin America
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Had already been colonized in 1700s by
Spain, Portugal, Dutch, Brit, France
By 1840 had won independence and set up
own countries.
Inequalities of class, limited rights,
weakened by regionalism
Local leaders (caudillos) with private
armies
Latin America
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Power struggles, corruption
Britain and US trying to replace Spain and
Portugal economically with trade etc.
Economic success but money at top of
society
Mestizos, mulattoes, blacks and native
Indios suffered the most
Latin America and US
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Monroe Doctrine – European countries stay
out of political affairs of Americas.
War for Texas won by USA.
Reforms in Mexico attempted.
1898 US war with Spain gave US Puerto
Rico, bases in Cuba and rights for Panama
Canal.
1904 Roosevelt Corollary claimed
international police power in Americas.
European Migration
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Between 1815 and 1932 more than 60 million
people left Europe
Migrants went primarily to European-inhabited
areas: North and South America, Australia, New
Zealand, and Siberia.
European migration provided further impetus for
Western expansion
Most were poor from rural areas, though seldom
from the poorest classes (due to oppressive land
policies)
England’s Empire
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By 1900, Britain controlled 1/5 of world's
territory: including Australia, Canada, India
"The Empire upon which the sun never
sets": Possible to travel around world by
railroad & sea, moving only through British
territories.
Anti-Imperialism?
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J. A. Hobson believed imperialism
benefited only the wealthy
anti-imperialism increased
Impact of Imperialism
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See text book Ch 13 section 5.