Imperialism (Eric)

Background:
Imperialism
Imperialism: use of any method to acquire new territories to improve the power of an empire or kingdom (“The Age of Imperialism”)
New Imperialism: the expansion and redistribution attitudes that major powers developed around the early 1880s and up to the first World War, particularly regarding Africa and Southeast Asia (“Imperialism as a cause of World War I”)
Roman Imperialism (“Wars of the Late Republic.”)
Started out as a struggle to survive and become the supreme power in Italy
Developed into defense of the state and eventually conquest of other states
Eventually expanded, using military force and intermarriage, to encompass much of Europe and the Middle East
Pre-New Imperialism (“The Age of Imperialism”)
Many European powers had colonies, especially in the Americas
Portugal and Spain were especially prominent, establishing the languages of Central and South America
Treaty of Tordesillas, 1494
Many explorers and conquistadors, like Christopher Columbus, Francisco Pizzaro (conquered Incan Empire), Hernan Cortes (conquered Aztec Empire), etc.
Great Britain had dominated colonial competition for several centuries already
French naval defeat at Trafalgar, 1805 magnified Britain as the dominant naval and colonial power
Colonies across the globe, including Canada, India, Burma, Australia, South Africa, Rhodesia, Egypt, various Caribbean and Pacific islands, as well as many other holdings in Africa, Asia, and Oceania
“The empire on which the sun never sets”
Development of New Imperialism
Differences between Old and New Imperialism

Old Imperialism
New Imperialism
Focused on trading with local colonies
Spreading Christianity


Factories and mining of raw goods
Want to spread European culture and way of life
“Westernize” natives

Causes
Rising nationalism
Obtain glory for one’s country through colonies and wealth
Newly formed Italy and Germany want colonies as well
Increases country’s military dominance
Economic
Europeans wanted access to foreign goods
First Opium War, forced China to open several ports for European trade
More resources
Indonesia was colonized to provide rubber for growing European industries
New trading partners
British imperialism in India at first allowed the British to trade with many Indian states, China, and Japan
Industrial revolution had reduced diversity and individuality of jobs, leading some to want a new life
Social Darwinism was becoming more prevalent among elites
Empires can rise and fall
Larger nations should naturally take over smaller ones
Some belief that the superior race should conquer others
“Civilize” native peoples
Converting to Christianity
Christian missions opened across Africa, Asia, and the Americas
Teach the “true” way of life
The Scramble for Africa, 1878-1914
Berlin Conference of 1884
Established by Otto von Bismarck of Germany and Jules Ferry of France
Declared that:
Occupation must be based on agreement with other states
No single power could lay claim to Africa
France held the general northwest section, notably Morocco
Germany held east and southwestern areas
Italy held Libya and Eritrea, however failed to claim Ethiopia
Lost the First Italo-Ethiopian War, 1895-1896
Britain held less land than France, however its was more populated
included South Africa, rich in both diamonds and gold, relatively developed
Effects
Furthered
Colonies were negatively affected
Native tribes and groups were defeated or removed
Native tribes in South America forced to move deeper into the Amazon
Locals in Asia killed, impoverished, or relocated
Small local businesses could not keep up with industrial Europe
Native culture was destroyed as Europeans believed they had superior culture and religion
Africans, in particular, lost much of their culture as many were forced into slavery and barred from speaking their language or engaging in cultural practices
Raw goods were imported out, leaving industry in the colonies underdeveloped
As a result, most African nations, much of South and Southeast Asia, and South and Central America are all comparatively underdeveloped and poorer than imperial powers
Numerous opposing groups would be united under the same government, with no regard for natives
Conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda
Eventually leads to a very destabilized, poor, and underdeveloped Africa
Political clashes between European countries would affect colonies
Improved economy led to more free time, developing common interest in
Art and paintings
Entertainment such as the circus, shows, comedians, dancers
Motion pictures came into popularity
Sports
football
revival of the Olympics
Interconnected world and improved economy allowed middle class peoples to travel and see the world
Changes in Beliefs:
Poor people no longer need to work all the time, can go out to enjoy life through activities listed above
Countries with raw materials no longer dominate, can get materials through colonies or global trade