IMPERIALISM
World History
Imperialism
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“When a strong nation seeks to dominate
other countries or territories”
Control
over:
Economy
Politics
Society (social issues)
Africa in the early 1800’s
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Hundreds of ethnic groups
Over 1,000 languages spoken
Most followed traditional beliefs and religions
Society: Large empires to small villages
Rivers were wild and difficult to navigate
Jungles were dense and made travel difficult
Africans were experts at trading rare natural resources
(gold-salt Sahara; Swahili East Coast trade)
Scramble for Africa
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Main Idea: Europeans established
colonies by ignoring the claims of African
ethnic groups, kingdoms, and city-states.
Why it matters now: African nations
continue to feel the effects of the
colonization more than 100 years later.

Scramble for Africa
European countries
colonized areas in
Africa south of the
Sahara
 local populations
were enslaved,
exploited, and
sometimes
exterminated.
 Video:
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/905
7CC88-0EDE-43C4-98DC-2B720A85BA1B
How it all began…
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“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
David Livingstone, a Scottish
missionary, traveled to promote
Christianity in Africa and
DISAPPEARED!
An American journalist, Henry
Stanley was hired to find him
and did!
Made headlines and helped
bring Africa’s undiscovered
wealth to the attention of the
world.
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Stanley continued to explore on
behalf of Belgium
Motives behind Imperialism
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1.
Belief in European Superiority (racism!)
Non-Europeans were considered to be a
“lesser race” because they had not achieved
European scientific and technological
progress.This was a reflection of Social
Darwinism (humans/societies who were
fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and
success)
Thus,
Europeans had a “obligation” to better
these “lesser races”.
An example….don’t write this down
I contend that we [Britons] are the first race in the world,
and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the
human race. … It is our duty to seize every opportunity of
acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea
steadily before our eyes that more territory simply means
more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most
human, most honorable race the world possesses.
— Cecil Rhodes, Confession of Faith, 1887
1 – Is Cecil Rhodes in favor of or opposed to imperialism,
and what rationale (reason) does he give for his stance?
2 – What one idea does Rhodes think Great Britain should
be focused on?
Motives behind Imperialism
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2. Economic Competition—need
for natural resources and new
markets to feed the expanding
Industrial Revolution
 Rubber,
Ivory, lumber, etc.
 Forced Africans to grow cash crops;
causes food shortages.
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3. Missionary Spirit—a divine duty
spread Christianity to those still
practicing indigenous beliefs
Motives behind Imperialism
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4. Nationalism- to gain
power and prestige for
their country, Europeans
sought to acquire
colonies.
 Famous political cartoon of Cecil Rhodes.
Factors that made Imperialism successful
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Steam engines on boats and trains allowed Europeans
to travel throughout the continent.
Telegraph enabled colonizing Europeans to
communicate with homeland
Use of quinine helped protect Europeans from malaria
Advanced weaponry ensured military dominance over
Africans
Maxim Gun—first automatic machine gun
Factors that made Imperialism successful
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Diversity of cultures
discouraged African unity
History of conflict between
tribes
Europeans take advantage
of this vulnerability
Berlin Conference (1884-85)
Berlin Conference (1884-85)
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To avoid wars between European countries over
territory in Africa…
14 European countries meet to discuss rules for division.
Countries must publicly claim land and prove ability to
control it (ex: military & infrasturcture in place)
No African ruler was invited
No attention was given to ethnic or linguistic divisions
Created indigenous tensions that would EXPLODE once
the countries gained independence in the 20th century.
Resistance to Imperialism
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Despite Eur. advantages, Africans fight colonization
Zulu nation’s highly centralized state nearly defeats
English army
Boer War (1899-1902)—Long established Dutch
Farmers pushed out of South Africa by British. Later
fight back in a bloody “total” war. Dutch lose.
Ethiopia successfully defeats Italy and remains free.
They then gathered modern weapons to use in the
future.
Systems of Imperial Control
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COLONY: A COUNTRY OR TERRITORY GOVERNED BY A
FOREIGN POWER (EX: THE BRITISH IN INDIA)
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: A REGION IN A FOREIGN
COUNTRY WHERE ANOTHER NATION CLAIMS
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC RIGHTS (EX. = BRITISH IN AREAS
OF CHINA)
ECONOMIC IMPERIALISM: A COUNTRY CONTROLLED
BY A PRIVATE BUSINESS FOR ECONOMIC GAIN (EX:
BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY)
British Imperialism in India
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Seeking spices and profit, England establishes
trading posts in India in the 1600’s.
English government allows Br. East India Company
to increase territory and govern the entire colony.
 Company
army made up of sepoy soldiers (Indians) and
led by British officers.
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“Jewel of the Crown”—India is the most valuable of
all colonies
 serves
crucial role as supplier of raw materials and
new markets for British goods
Sepoy Mutiny
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Indian soldiers rebel against the British
 Cartridges
of new rifles were greased with beef and
pork fat. (ends must be bitten off to be used)
 Muslims and Hindus refuse to use them
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East India Co. handled situation badly, but still won.
 Internal
conflicts prevent Indian unity
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British gov’t takes over rule in 1858 from E.I.C.
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This is a turning point in Indian history
Legacy of British rule in India
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Positive:
 RAILROADS
CONNECTED INDIA =
MODERN ECONOMY
AND UNITY
 INFRASTRUCTURE:
ROADS, DAMS,
BRIDGES, IRRIGATION
CANALS, TELEGRAPH
LINES
 SCHOOLS AND
HOSPITALS BUILT
 MADE COUNTRY SAFER
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Negative:
 INDIA LOST POLITICAL
AND ECONOMIC
POWER
 FAMINE : BRITISH
PUSHED CASH CROPS
OVER FOOD THAT FED
INDIANS
 RACISM: INDIANS
TREATED LIKE 2ND
CLASS CITIZENS
China in Isolation
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Since the Great Wall was built, China practiced a
policy of isolationism (policy avoiding political
and military involvement with other countries)
China was self-sufficient; they needed nothing from
the outside world
Unable to trade traditional goods, the British
introduced OPIUM (a highly addictive drug) to
Chinese markets.
 By
1835, 12 million Chinese are addicted
Opium War (1839)
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Chinese Emperor is concerned/angry that the
addictions have harmed his subjects
 British ignore his claims, leading to war.
British win, leading to Treaty of Nanjing
 British
gain island of Hong Kong
 Foreigners gain freedom from Chinese law in
spheres of influence.
Taiping Rebellion 1850’s-1864
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Chinese population growth exceeds food supply
causing famine (leads to increase in opium
addiction)
Hong Xiuquan begins a rebellion to bring prosperity
and equality to all Chinese
Hong’s million-man rebel army controls SE China
Imperial, British, and French troops put down
rebellion at great cost (20 million dead Chinese)
Foreign Influence
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1862-1908 Empress Cixi rules and starts reforms
Foreign powers take advantage of mixed results of
reforms and “strong-arm” China into accepting
foreign trade advantages
Open Door Policy (1899): U.S. proposal that China
be open to trading by all countries and would not
be colonized
weakens idea of “spheres of influence”
Boxer Rebellion
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Ordinary Chinese feel humiliated
Push for reforms which lead creation of secret
society (Society of Righteous & Harmonious Fists)
Erupts into wide-spread revolt against Empress and
all foreigners (“Death to the foreign devils!”)
Multi-national force finally defeats rebels
Chinese nationalism surges after Boxer Rebellion
and carries on into early 1900’s