Imperialism

1. Imperialism takeover of a country by a stronger nation with the intent of dominating the political, economic, and social life of the people of that nation (building an empire)

2. Role of Industrial Revolution • Industrial economies and mass production created need for additional raw materials • Industrial powers looked to other lands that were rich in raw materials to fulfill production needs • Industrialized nations have the technology (steam engine) to access far away lands • Also have superior weaponry to conquer people • Industrial powers also needed markets to sell finished goods • Colonies (conquered lands) provide lots of people to sell stuff to

4. Forces enabling Imperialism • External= European’s technological superiority • Maxim gun-1st automatic “machine gun” • Steam Engine—Allowed Europeans to travel to and within colonized lands • Medical Advances-quinine protected Europeans from Malaria • Internal—Division among the groups of people in colonized lands • Africa – numerous tribal groups • India – Hindus vs. Muslims

7. Justification: • Paternalism—people need to be watched over & taken care of with out individual rights • Social Darwinism—Darwin’s idea of “survival of the fittest” applied to social change • those who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and success and were considered superior • non-Europeans were less fit because of their lack of technology, religion, and government • thus Europeans had a right and duty to bring the results of progress to other countries • Racism—the idea that one race is superior to others • many Europeans believed that they were better than other peoples, in part because of their advanced technologies and Christianity

10. Eras of Imperialism • Old Imperialism (1450-1750) • characterized by exploration, missionaries, and gold • Industrial Revolution (1750-1850) • characterized by inventions, progress, capitalism, class divisions, rise of middle class • New Imperialism (1850-1914) • took over much of Africa & Asia

12. Causes of New Imperialism • nationalism—the belief that people should be loyal mainly to their nation, rather than to a king or empire • nations competed for colonies & trade • economic competition • demand for raw materials and new markets spurs search for colonies • missionary spirit • Europeans believes they must spread their Christian teachings to the world

14. Effects of New Imperialism • colonization • Europeans control land and people in areas of Africa, Asian, and Latin America • Colonial economics • Europeans control trade in the colonies and set up dependent cash-crop economics • Christianization • Christianity is spread to Africa, India, and Asia

17. Different Forms of Control • Colony—ruled directly by that colonial power • U.S. & Canada to Britain • Sphere of influence—a claim for only exclusive trading privileges • Latin America to U.S. • Protectorate—country has its own gov’t, but does what imperial power wants • Cuba, Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico to U.S. • Economic Imperialism—independent but less developed nations controlled by private business interests rather than by other governments

19. Imperial Management Methods • Direct Control • Driven by concept of paternalism…colonies were unfit to rule • Foreign officials brought in to rule • No self-rule • Goal: assimilation • Government institutions are based only on European style • Examples: • French colonies such as Somililand, Vietnam • German colonies in East Africa • Portuguese colonies such as Angola

21. Imperial Management Methods • Indirect Control • Local government officials were used • Limited self-rule • Goal: to develop future leaders • Government institutions were based on European styles but may have local rules • Examples: • British colonies such as Nigeria, India, Burma • U.S. colonies on Pacific Islands

22. Impact of Imperial Rule • Positive • reduced local warfare because of European military presence • humanitarian efforts improved sanitation and brought hospitals and schools in some colonies • economic expansion • railroads, dams, telegraph and telephone lines…really for Europeans business interests

23. Impact of Imperial Rule • Negative • lost control of their land and independence • many died of new diseases such as smallpox • lost thousands of lives in resisting Europeans • famines resulted from the change to cash crops in place of subsistence farming • breakdown of traditional culture • dividing up of African continent has caused most lasting damage • long-term tribal rivalries were forced to unite • kinship groups were split apart

25. Impact of Imperialism on “Mother Countries” • Mass Society – middle class becomes most influential • NEW ELITE – 5% of population • Controlled 30-40% of world’s wealth • Govt/military leaders & industrialists • MIDDLE CLASS – 15% of population • Upper M.C. – doctors, lawyers, small business owners, managers, architects, engineers • Lower M.C. – traders, some farmers, white collar workers  salesmen, secretaries, managers, etc • WORKING CLASS – 80% of population • Blue collar workers Domestic servants, factory workers, peasant farmers

26. Values of the Middle Class dominate Western Society • 1. hard work • 2. Christian morality • 3. Victorian lifestyles – etiquette, manners • 4. Universal education – education necessary for new jobs created by Industrial Rev. & for participation in democratic govt • 1900 – most European adults (80-90%) were literate • Only 20% of Serbian/Russian adults could read

28. Leisure • Read newspapers – gossip columns, crime, cartoons • Amusement parks – Coney Island (NY) • Dance halls • Organized sports teams – cricket, croquet, baseball, rugby, soccer • Spectator activities • Bicycle/automobile • Middle class & elites can afford to pay the increased costs of leisure activities

30. Recall!!! • What were the justifications for imperialism? • What role did the Industrial Revolution have on Imperialism? • What were some of the forces that enabled imperialism to occur? • What were some causes/effects of imperialism? • What nations were major imperialists? • Compare/contrast direct & indirect control of colonies. • What were some positive/negative impacts of colonialism?