The Age of Imperialism (1850–1914) The Scramble for Africa Imperialism- is a policy or ideology of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means. It often involves the domination and exploitation of other nations or territories for economic, political, or strategic purposes. Imperialism has been a significant force throughout history, with major imperial powers including the British Empire, the Roman Empire, and the Spanish Empire. Racism -is a belief or ideology that individuals can be divided into distinct racial groups, and that one group is superior to others based on inherent traits such as skin color, ethnicity, or ancester Social Darwinism- is a belief that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It applied the principles of natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies, suggesting that certain groups or individuals are inherently superior and destined to dominate others in a competitive social environment. The Berlin Conference, - also known as the Berlin West Africa Conference, was a meeting held in Berlin, Germany, from November 1884 to February 1885. The conference was convened by the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and attended by representatives of European powers to discuss and regulate European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period. The term "Boer" - refers to the descendants of the Dutch, German, and French settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century. The word “Boer” translates to “farmer” in Dutch, reflecting the agricultural lifestyle of these early settlers who established farms and communities in the region. Boer War,- also known as the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the Boer republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State in South Africa. Imperialism •European Conference (Berlin 1884-85) -Black South Africans participated in the conference,European nations fought and argued among themselves to controls Africa’s land,it’s people and it’s resources. • New ways of Imperialism -In this new period between the 18th and 19th centuries europeans demanded more control over the economy, politics and people from the conquered lands.Europeans used the Economies of the new lands for their own benefit,they wanted the people to adopt European customs. •Forms of Colonial control *Colony -a country a territory governed internally by a foreign power. *protectorate-a country or a territory with its own internal government but under control of an outside power. *Sphere of influence -an area in which and outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges. *Economic imperialism – an independent but less developed country controlled by a private business interests rather than other governments. •Manangements Methods Indirect control – local officials accepted to handle the management of the colony under british authority. Direct control – direct to the government •Britains Gains Control of Nigeria *In the south, through diplomatic and military means,in the north the royal niger company,gaining control of palm oil trade along the Niger river.In 1914 Britain claimed the entire area of nigeria as a colony. • Nigerian Resistance -managing the colony a diff task,with more thean 280 ethic groups,Nigeria is one of the most complex and culturally diverse areas.Managing the colony was complicated. • African Resistance - As in nigeria, Africans across the continent resisted European attempts to colonize, resistance included military and religious movements,After a yrs of fight, almost all movements were defeated by European might famine or diseases. • Effects of British Imperialism • POSITIVE Lower tribal warfare -increased sanitation health -school,formal education -increased life span -improved technology,railroads, Roads,telegraph -export crops (increased income) •NEGATIVE Loss of lands of Europeans -loss of life -new diseases warfare,with Europeans famine,due to cash crop economy -loss of culture (assimilation) -division of continent (increase tribal conflict) -Loss of independence The legacy of European colonial rule European colonial rule forever altered Africans’ lives. In some cases, the Europeans brought benefits, but for the most part, the effects were negative. Positive effects 1. Colonialism reduced local warfare. 2. Humanitarian efforts in some colonies improved sanitation and provided hospitals and schools 3. Europeans brought economic expansion Negative Effects 1. Africans lost control of their land and their independence 2. Many died of new diseases such as smallpox and lost thousands of people because of resisting in Europeans. 3. Famine, as result of changing crops 4. Africans also suffered from a breakdown of their traditional cultures. 5. Men were forced to leave villages. 6. division of the African continent. 7. Long-term rival chiefdoms resulted artificial boundaries Europeans Claim Muslim lands The European powers who carved up Africa also looked elsewhere for other lands to control. Ottoman Empire Loses Power The declining Ottoman Empire had difficulties trying to fit into the modern world. However, the Ottomans made attempts to change before they finally were unable to hold back the European imperialist powers. Reform Fail When Suleyman I, the last great Ottoman sultan died in 1566, he was followed by a succession of weak sultans. The palace government broke up into a number of quarreling. Weakening power brought other problems 1. Corruption and theft had caused financial losses. 2. Coinage was devalued, causing inflation. Selim III came into power in 1789, he attempted to modernize the army. However, the older janissary corps resisted his efforts. Selim III was overthrown, and reform movements were temporarily abandoned. Europeans Grab Territory Geopolitics, an interest in or taking of land for its strategic location or products. The Ottomans controlled access to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic sea trade that’s why world power were attracted to its strategic location Russia and the Crimean War In 1853, war broke out between the Russians and the Ottomans. The war was called the “Crimean War”. Britain and France entered the war on the side of the Ottoman Empire, because they wanted to prevent the Russians from gaining control of additional Ottoman lands Crimean War was the first war in which women, led by Florence Nightingale, established their position as army nurses The Crimean War revealed the Ottoman Empire’s military weakness. Despite the help of Britain and France, the Ottoman Empire continued to lose lands. By the beginning of World War I, the Ottoman Empire was reduced in size and in deep decline. The Great Game For much of the 19th century, Great Britain and Russia engaged in yet another geopolitical struggle. The war was waged over India, one of Britain’s most profitable colonies Afghanistan, which lay between the Russian and British empires, became the center of their struggle. In the 1800s, Afghanistan was an independent Muslim kingdom. Its dry, mountainous terrain and determined people continually frustrated the invading imperial powers Russia sought to extend its empire and gain access to India’s riches. Britain defended its colony and also attempted to spread its empire beyond India’s borders. 1818, after decades of fighting, Great Britain finally withdrew from Afghanistan Egypt Initiates Reforms Egypt initiated political and social reforms, in part to block European domination of its land. Military and Economic Reforms in Egypt Under Muhammad Ali Modernization came to Egypt as a result of the interest in the area created by the French occupation. Egypt’s strategic location at the head of the Red Sea appeared valuable to France and Britain. After Napoleon failed to win Egypt, Muhammad Ali, the Ottomans sent him as part of an expeditionary force to govern Egypt, but he soon broke away from Ottoman control Muhammad Ali began a series of reforms in the military and in the economy without foreign assistance, he personally directed a shift of Egyptian agriculture to a plantation cash crop—cotton. This brought Egypt into the international marketplace Construction of The Suez Canal Ali’s grandson, Isma’il, supported the construction of the Suez Canal. It connected the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. It was built mainly with French money from private interest groups, using Egyptian labor. The Suez Canal opened in 1869 with a huge international celebration. Egypt soon found that it could not pay its European bankers even the interest on its $450 million debt. The British insisted on overseeing financial control of the canal, and in 1882 the British occupied Egypt. Persia Pressured to change In the historical context of southwest Asia, Persia faced pressure from Russia and Britain to change and align with their commercial interests. Russia sought access to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, leading to Persia ceding territories to Russia in 1813 and 1828. Meanwhile, Britain aimed to use Afghanistan as a buffer between India and Russia, resulting in Persia relinquishing claims to Afghanistan in 1857. The discovery of oil in Persia in 1908 further heightened Britain’s interest in the region. Due to a lack of capital for development, the Persian ruler granted concessions to Western businesses, allowing them to operate in specific areas or develop certain products. For instance, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company began developing Persia’s oil fields in the early 1900s. Tensions arose between the rulers selling concessions to Europeans and the people, supported by religious leaders opposed to Western influence. In 1890, a tobacco concession to a British company sparked outrage and led to a successful tobacco boycott organized by Persian leader Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. The tobacco boycott resulted in riots and the cancellation of the concession, leading to ongoing unrest in Persia. In 1906, revolutionaries compelled the ruler to establish a constitution, but in 1907, Russia and Britain divided Persia into spheres of influence, exerting economic control over the country. European imperialists utilized economic imperialism and spheres of influence to gain control in Muslim lands, hindering attempts at modernization in many cases. This imperialist influence and modernization efforts also impacted regions like India, which became a British colony experiencing significant changes due to imperial occupation. British Imperialism in India British Expand Control over India East India Company Dominates The British government regulated the East India Company’s activities in London and India. Until the early 19th century, the company governed India with minimal interference from the British government. The company maintained its army, consisting of Indian soldiers known as sepoys and led by British officers. Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone described the sepoy army as a potentially risky entity that could be turned against them with mismanagement. Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown” The British initially valued India for its potential as a supplier of raw materials and a large market for British goods due to the Industrial Revolution. India was considered the most valuable colony of Britain, known as the “jewel in the crown." British policies restricted the Indian economy, requiring it to produce raw materials for British manufacturing and purchase British goods. Indian competition with British products was prohibited, leading to the decline of local industries like the handloom textile industry due to imported British textiles flooding the market. British Transport Trade Goods The British found India more valuable after establishing a railroad network, which facilitated the transportation of raw materials to ports and manufactured goods back. The raw materials mainly consisted of agricultural products from plantations, such as tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute, and opium. Opium was traded with China for tea, which was then sold in England. International events like the Crimean War and the Civil War influenced the trade of these crops. The Crimean War led to increased export of raw jute from Bengal due to the cut-off of Russian jute supplies to Scottish mills. Similarly, cotton production in India rose when the US Civil War disrupted British textile mills’ cotton supply. Impact of Colonialism British colonialism in India had both positive and negative impacts. Negatively, the British held significant political and economic power, restricting Indian-owned industries and causing a loss of self-sufficiency due to the emphasis on cash crops. This shift led to reduced food production and famines in the late 1800s. Despite adopting a hands-off policy towards Indian customs, the increased presence of missionaries and racist British officials threatened traditional Indian life. On the positive side, British colonialism brought significant advancements to India. The construction of the world’s third-largest railroad network facilitated the development of a modern economy and promoted unity among regions. Additionally, modern infrastructure such as roads, telephone lines, dams, bridges, and irrigation canals contributed to India’s modernization. Sanitation and public health improved, schools and colleges were established, and literacy rates increased. British troops also played a role in clearing central India of bandits and ending local conflicts among rulers. The Sepoy Mutiny By 1850, the British controlled most of the Indian subcontinent, facing discontent from Indians who believed the British were trying to convert them to Christianity and expressed racism towards them. Economic problems fueled resentment and nationalism among Indians. In 1857, sepoys rebelled due to rumors that their rifle cartridges were greased with beef and pork fat, offending Hindus and Muslims. The rebellion spread from Delhi to northern and central India, known as the Sepoy Mutiny. The East India Company took over a year to regain control with British government troops’ assistance. The Sepoy Mutiny saw fierce fighting between British and Indian soldiers, with weak leadership and Hindu-Muslim divisions preventing Indian unity against the British. Hindus preferred British rule over the Muslim Mughal Empire, hindering a united front against the British. Many princes and maharajahs had alliances with the East India Company, further complicating the situation. Nationalism Surfaces in India In the early 1800s, Indians sought modernization and self-governance, led by reformer Ram Mohun Roy. Roy opposed traditional practices and inspired a social reform movement. Indians faced discrimination, leading to nationalist sentiments and the formation of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. The partition of Bengal in 1905 fueled tensions, and conflicts with the British intensified in the early 1900s in India and Southeast Asia. Nationalist Groups Form Indian National Congress in 1885 and Muslim League in 1906. Initially focused on Indian concerns, later pushed for self-government. Bengal partition in 1905 heightened nationalist feelings, British reversed it in 1911. Tensions over India’s control continued. Conflicts between Indians and British intensified in early 1900s. Power struggles in Southeast Asia between local groups and European powers. Imperialism in Southeast Asia European Powers Invade the Pacific Rim In the early 18th century, European powers invaded the Pacific Rim – Dutch controlled Indonesian islands, British in Singapore, French in Indochina, Germans in Marshall Islands, New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. Southeast Asia’s lands were used for plantation agriculture, growing crops like sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, rubber, coconuts, bananas, and pineapple, which became important in global trade, sparking competition among European powers for land claims. Dutch Expand Control The Dutch East India Company expanded control in Southeast Asia by taking over Malacca, engaging in conflicts for Java, and extending influence to various islands, leading to the Dutch ruling the Indonesian island chain. They enforced a social hierarchy and export crop cultivation on farmers. To compete, the British established a trading base in Singapore, becoming a top rubber exporter in Malaysia due to tin deposits. Chinese immigrants were encouraged to work in Malaysia, leading to tensions with native Malays. British Take the Malayan Peninsula To compete with the Dutch, the British sought a trading base in Singapore, strategically located for ships traveling the India-China sea routes. The opening of the Suez Canal and the demand for tin and rubber made Singapore a bustling port. Britain acquired colonies in Malaysia and Burma, with Malaysia becoming a top rubber exporter due to its tin deposits. Chinese immigrants were encouraged to work in Malaysia, leading to a significant Chinese population and tensions with native Malays. French Control Indochina French active in SE Asia since 17th century, intervened militarily after missionaries killed in 1840s. Invaded southern Vietnam, expanded to Laos, Cambodia, and northern Vietnam. Controlled government, focused on rice production, sparking resistance.Colonial impact in SE Asia: Led to economic growth, improved infrastructure, benefits for European businesses. Education, health, sanitation improved. Region became melting pot of religions, cultural changes, racial and religious clashes. Millions migrated for work, creating diverse population. Colonial Impact Colonization in Southeast Asia boosted economy with cash crops and better infrastructure, benefiting European businesses. Education, health, sanitation improved. Region became diverse with different religions, causing cultural changes and racial/religious clashes. Millions migrated for plantation and mining jobs, leading to a diverse population in Southeast Asia. Siam Remains Independent Siam (Thailand) remained independent between Britishcontrolled Burma and French Indochina. The Siamese kings strategically positioned Siam as a neutral territory, modernizing under King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn. King Chulalongkorn emphasized progress, leading to reforms in education, legal system, and government. Siam built infrastructure, abolished slavery, avoiding social unrest and economic exploitation faced by other colonized nations. Americans opposed colonization due to their independence fight, but some supported imperialism for world power and trade opportunities. U.S. Imperialism in the Pacific Islands Americans generally opposed the idea of colonizing other nations due to their fight for independence from Britain. However, two American groups supported imperialism: one group believed the US should become a world power like Europe by colonizing, while the other group, consisting of business interests, welcomed new markets and trade opportunities. The Philippines Change Hands The United States gained the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam post-Spanish-American War in 1898. President McKinley’s goal was to civilize the Filipinos, sparking an imperialism debate. Filipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, opposed American colonization, leading to conflict from 1899 to 1902. Despite promises of self-rule, the U.S. focused on infrastructure development, causing food shortages due to cash crop emphasis. Hawaii Becomes a Republic US interest in Hawaii from 1790s, sugar trade impacted economy, American sugar plantations led to wealth, McKinley Tariff Act caused crisis, annexation advocated for higher sugar prices, Queen Liliuokalani removed from throne in 1893, Sanford B. Dole became president of Republic of Hawaii in 1894, annexed in 1898, imperialism era in late 19th century shaped 20th century.
