World History 9
Notes – Chapter 27, section 2
1. How did the new imperialism of the 18th and 19th centuries differ from the explorations of the
15th and 16th centuries?
15th and 16th Century Exploration
 Imperial powers did not penetrate far
into conquered areas in Asia and Africa
 Did not always have a substantial
influence on the lives of the people
New Imperialism of 18th and 19th Centuries
 Europeans demanded more influence
over the economic, political and social
lives of the people
 Determined to shape the economies of
the lands to benefit European
economies
 Wanted people to adopt European
customs
2. What are the four types of Imperialism? Briefly describe each and give an example.
Form
Definition
A country or territory
governed internally by a
foreign power
Example
Somaliland in East Africa
(French colony)
Protectorate
A country or territory with its
own internal government but
under the control of an
outside power
Niger River delta (Britain)
Sphere of Influence
An area in which an outside
power claims exclusive
investment or trading
privileges
Liberia (USA)
Economic Imperialism
An independent but lessdeveloped country controlled
by private business interests
rather than other
governments
Dole Fruit Company
controlled pineapple trade in
Hawaii
Colony
3. Explain the two basic methods of managements of colonies. Include the names of countries
that practiced each method.
a. Indirect Control –
 Relies on existing political rulers (handled daily management of the colony)
 Limited self-rule (imperial country had ultimate authority
 Goal was to train local leaders in European country’s method of government
 May have some local rules
Examples:
 British colonies such as Nigeria, Burma, India
 US colonies on Pacific Islands (Philippines)
b. Direct Control –
 Foreign officials brought in to rule (saw Africans as unable to run country)
 No self-rule
 Goal: assimilation
 Government based only on European styles
Examples:
 French colonies such as Somaliland, Vietnam
 German colonies such as German East Africa
 Portuguese colonies such as Angola
4. Two types of policies existed under direct control. Describe a policy of paternalism. Describe
a policy of assimilation.
Paternalism: govern people in a parental way by providing for their needs, but not giving them
any rights
Assimilation: idea that local population would adopt French culture and become like the
French. All institutions were patterned after French models (schools, courts, businesses)
5. Why was managing the colony in Nigeria difficult? Which form of imperialistic control did
Britain use in Nigeria? Explain.
Very culturally diverse – over 250 different groups with different language, culture, and religion
British used indirect rule which worked well with some groups but not others who resented
their power being limited by Britain
6. Why was it almost impossible for African states to overcome European powers?
Europeans had superior weapons (all resistance movements failed EXCEPT Ethiopia which
fought off the Italians)
7. Describe the two types of unsuccessful resistance attempts.
Active military resistance: some successful for many years (West Africa and Algeris vs
French)
Religious movements: believed various spiritual forces would protect them (Germans vs East
Africa)
8. How was Ethiopia able to successfully resist European attempts to conquer it? Who was the
Ethiopian leader?
 Menelik II played Europeans countries against each other
 Built up large arsenal of modern weapons
 Declared war on Italy when Italy tried to seize all of Ethiopia as a protectorate
 Defeated Italy and kept their independence
9. Describe at least 5 negative effects of colonialism in Africa, paying particular attention to the
last one (the harmful political legacy).
 Africans lost control of their land and independence
 New diseases such as smallpox
 Thousands died resisting Europeans
 Famines resulting from change to cash crops
 Breakdown of traditional African cultures
o Property taken
o Authority figures replaced
o Men left villages to work
o Undermined stable societies and caused identity problems
 Most harmful – division of African continent
o Long-term rivals often united or kinship groups split in to different colonies
o Artificial boundaries combined or divided groups, creating problems that still
create problems for countries that evolved from former colonies
10. Describe at least 5 positive effects of colonialism in Africa.
 Reduced local warfare
 Humanitarian efforts in some areas improved sanitation, hospitals, schools
 Result – lifespans in literacy rates improved
 Economic expansion as African goods became valued on international market
o Involved railroads, dams, and telephone and telegraph lines
IN GENERAL, MOST OF THE POSITIVE BENEFITS DID NOT REALLY AFFECT AFRICAN
LIVES, BUT HELPED EUROPEAN BUSINESS INTERESTS!