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Imperialism in Perspective

Imperialism in Perspective. Alliances. A key term in European History—Balance of Power. Europe’s “ Fab Five” in 1850 England Austria-Hungary France Russia Germany Lesser powers: Ottoman Empire Italy post unification with Rome as its capital

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Imperialism in Perspective

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  1. Imperialism in Perspective

  2. Alliances • A key term in European History—Balance of Power. • Europe’s “Fab Five” in 1850 • England • Austria-Hungary • France • Russia • Germany • Lesser powers: • Ottoman Empire • Italy post unification with Rome as its capital • German and Italian unification changed map of Europe

  3. Prelude to war: Three Emperors League • Bismarck (Germany) began forging alliances to promote unity and to protect from the vulnerabilities of the major powers. • Examples: • Germany: limited water access • France: Threat of Germany • Austria-Hungary staggering diversity • Russia fixation with stealing a port from the Ottomans

  4. Problems with Alliances • As it relates to Imperialism-conflicting land claims can lead to war. • Crimean War as an example. • Tensions between nations: Germany and France • Russia supporting Serbia against Austria-Hungary

  5. Triples • By 1914 Bismarck had created a world order that led to the creation of powerful alliances that supported each others imperialist desires. • Triple Entente: Great Britain, France, and Russia • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. …gee I wonder what is coming next?

  6. Technology in review • Steam • Iron • Electricity • Mobility in war • Advanced rifles • Canal construction • Telegraph • Medicine: Quinine

  7. Motives in Review • Economic opportunities • Resources • Prestige and power • Alliances • Geography and military reasons • “Buffers” see India… • Nationalism • Social Darwinism

  8. The Great Race: Scramble for Africa

  9. Africa: motives • European powers entered into this race for differing reasons. • Missionaries • Strategic geography • Mineral wealth • Coastal wealth • Markets • Resources • To keep pace

  10. Which states remained outside European grasp? • Bonus? • Ethiopia…the only predominantly Christian nation in Africa.

  11. The catalyst? • Leopold of Belgium 1876 • Sought the Congo • Wouldn’t rest without it • Had to run it by “Europe” due to Belgium’s weakness in Europe • “Rules of engagement” in Africa established at the Berlin Conference 1884. • You couldn’t just plant a flag (France) and set a claim. You had to build a state a state with economic dependence.

  12. “Conquest” • Much of Africa was conquered in military means… • British Poet: Hillarie Belloc “whatever happens, we have got the Maxim gun, and they have not • Courage! • Examples of this “hunting”… • 1893 Zimbabwe: 3500 Ndele tribesman, 50 Europeans. • 1897: 32 Europeans and 500 servants defeat 31,000 man army of the emir of Sokoto

  13. Churchill on Omdurman • Correct death toll—11,000 Sudanese, 20 Brits and 20 Egyptians. • “They fired steadily and stolidly, without hurry or excitement, for the enemy were far away and the officers careful. Besides, the soldiers were interested in the work and took great pains…And all the time out on the plain on the other side bullets were shearing through flesh, smashing and splintering bone; blood spouted from terrible wounds; valiant men were struggling on through a hell of whistling metal, exploding shells, and spurting dust----suffering, despairing, dying. Such was the first phase of the battle of Omdurman.”

  14. Gold, Gold, and Gold…

  15. The Boer War • The Great Trek and Afrikaners

  16. 1886: Gold discovered (not a small amount) • In the Transvaal • Role of Rhodes • War between Britain and Afrikaners over the claim. • British sent 350,000 troops, yet couldn’t topple the 65,000 Afrikaners. • Astonishing death tolls…nearly 50,000 annually. • Afrikaner surrender. • Curious inclusion that spells out the next 100 years of South African history…

  17. Geography of Africa • Winners: France largest piece • British wealthiest piece • Germany: great West African regions • Losers: France—controlled desert and rainforest. • Africans

  18. Importance of India • Starting point of British expansion • Center of British foreign policy • Kept the caste system for easier governance • Used “Sepoys” • Very cautious of “intrusion” onto neighboring soil…see Russia-Great Game.

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