Imperialism

1. Imperialism

2. Imperialism (what is it?) • Takeover by a strong country with the intent of dominating the political, economic, and social life of the people of another land • Why Do It? • 1. Sense of a national pride • 2. Economic competition • 3. Cultural superiority (belief that they’re better) – based on “Racism” – grew out of theory of Social Darwinism • Survival of the fittest was applied to social change – if you were fittest to survive, you enjoyed wealth and success – that meant you were superior to others • Non-Europeans were lower culturally and physically because they didn’t have Europe’s technology. It was Europe’s right to bring the progress to new countries via expansion (Christianize/Westernize/Civilize)

3. The idea of Imperialism • Term dates from mid-19th century • In popular discourse by 1880s • Military imperialism • Later, economic and cultural varieties • US imperialism

4. Forces enabling Imperialism • Technological superiority - (Maxim Gun – machine gun) • Communication - Steam engine, railroads, cables (controlling empire easily) • Drug Quinine (control malaria) • African disunity in culture (language, people, wars); rivals vs. rivals

5. Nations Begin to Compete • Minster David Livingstone traveled to find source of Nile • No one heard from him / presumed dead • Found by American reporter Henry Stanley in 1871 • Contact made connections with local chiefs on the Congo • Treaties gave personal control to Belgian King Leopold II • Licensed companies that exploited Congolese to work in rubber plants • Forced labor, high taxes, abuse • Belgian Congo was 80 times larger than Belgium

6. Effects of Imperialism – Belgian Congo

7. Rubber Trees

8. African Lands Become European Colonies Berlin Conference Divides Africa • Tensions over those seeking African colonies • 14 European countries & the U.S. meet to set ground rules for colonization of Africa (no African representation) • 1. Any Euro could est. African colony after notifying others of intention & it being previously unclaimed • 2. Be able to govern it • 3. Must recognize existing claims • RESULT: By 1900 – Ethiopia and Liberia are the only independent African nations Demands for Products • European goods were not bought by Africans like expected • cash-crop plantations (peanuts, cocoa, rubber) – displaced farmers’ crops • Huge wealth discovered in the Congo’s copper and tin; AND gold and diamonds in South Africa

10. Jewel in the Crown • Traders had always focused on coastline cities (Muslim merchants for centuries) • Most important of all colonies for Britain (cotton & pepper esp) • India produced raw materials – manufactured them in Britain – sold back to India • Process worked well with new railroad

11. Home of a Wealthy Family in Calcutta

12. Indians Rebel • Indians not happy with attempts toward conversion / racist attitudes • Sepoy Rebellion • Indian soldiers heard that rifle cartridges were sealed with beef/pork • Many didn’t accept orders – started rebellion • Uprising spread

13. Effects of the Sepoy Rebellion • Direct British rule: The Raj: 1857-1947 – British rule controlled through provinces / replaced the BEIC • Rule by “few” British / enhancement of British racial superiority • British hold all high positions / Indians low ones • Indian elites educated in English • Banned Indian customs that conflicted with Euro values

14. Impact of Colonialism on India • Pos: Railroad connected all areas of India (also roads, bridges, dams) • Pos: Schools founded – literacy improved • Neg: British held all political power / own all businesses • Neg: Too many cash crops / not enough food always • Neg: Cultural presence threatened traditional life of Indians

15. Scientific Racism • Gobineau’s Theory: Essay on inequality of the human race. • Divided world into 4 race groups – • Africans – dumb and lazy • Asians – smart/docile • Native Americans – dull/arrogant • Euros – Intelligent, noble, morally superior

16. Social Darwinism • Took Darwin’s ideas – used them as a justification for dominance by Europeans • Certain people deserve their inferiority

17. Imperialism and National Identities • Imperialism led to National Identities • Many areas in Africa/Asia that were taken over felt the “desire” to split away, rid themselves of foreign domination • Imperialism oftentimes “unified” people in this regard

18. Reactions to Imperialism in India • Ram Roy • Father of modern India • Wanted to build an India based on Euro science / tech AND Hindu traditions • Sought social reforms (outlawed Sati ritual) • Big movement for elite Hindus and Muslims to be educated at British universities (many studied Enlightenment principles there) – freedom/pop Sovereignty, etc

19. More Indian Reactions • Indian National Congress [example of Indian Nationalism] • Created in 1885 with British approval • Created as a forum for educated Indians to “air grievances” & communicate views to the British (who still ruled) • By 1900, INC was calling for Self-Rule – joined with the All-India Muslim League in calling for independence

20. South Africa • Originally Dutch (1600s-1700s) known as Boers  Afrikaners • British take over after winning Napoleonic Wars • Two sides coexisted • Afrikaners migrated out when faced with pressures (British outlaw slavery, find gold/diamonds) • British win Boer War (1899) and create autonomous British dominion in South Africa

21. Imperialism in Africa, c. 1914

22. Imperialism in Asia, c. 1914

24. Short Answer / Essay • 1. Explain how patterns of nationalism and anti-colonialism movements emerged from the 1870-1890 era in Africa • 2. Describe three of the four factors that shaped the modern Imperial movement in Europe AND explain the direct impact upon the conquered nations • 3. Were you fooled by this April Fools joke?