Imperialism

Africa Before Imperialism

Culture: Hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups – some traditional, some Christian and Muslim

Political Structure: Large empires to small independent villages

Why did the Europeans want Africa?

Nationalism, Resources, European superiority

Social Darwinism: Application of evolution and Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” to human societies

Forces Enabling Imperialism

Internal: No unity; civil war over land, water and trade; Europeans used this to their advantage

External: Guns and transportation; disease

Berlin Conference

Set up process to divide Africa

Boer War

Boers (Dutch living in S. Africa) vs British over control over S. Africa – Britain won

Types of Control

Indirect: Relied on existing political leaders

Direct: Africans unable to govern themselves (European idea) so the imperialist nations controlled them

African Resistance

Unsuccessful: Couldn’t compete with guns (Maji Maji rebellion)

Menelik II was able to keep independence (one of the few success stories)

In modern day Tanzania, maji translates to war medicinePoorly armed Africans led a rebellion against the German

control in the region, particularly over the cottonAfricans did pretty well considering… then the Germans

planned a famine – destroyed wells, crops, livestock, destroyed food stores, eventually causing their surrender

Famine killed between 100,000-300,000 and the battle killed between 200,000-300,000 insurgents

Historians still debate the roots of the conflictSome people in the region say that lions still have a taste

for people

Defeated Italy at Battle of AdwaItalians had old guns, bad maps, the wrong

footwear for rocky terrain, bad communication, and low morale – troops numbered about 17,000

King Menelik raised an army of 73,000-120,000 – Russian advisors and guns

Positive Impacts of Imperialism in Africa

Reduce local warfare; improved sanitation; built schools and hospitals; economic expansion

Negative Impacts of Imperialism in Africa

Famines due to cash crops; loss of land and culture; disease

The Crumbling Ottoman Empire

Corruption led to the downfall – Europeans saw it as an opportunity

Europeans Take Control

Prime Location: Close to waterwaysCrimean War: Britain, France, and Ottoman

Empire vs Russia – Russia lost , now European nations can go after Africa

Muhammad Ali: Took over Egypt and planted cash crop, cotton – turned Egypt into an international market and built Suez Canal

Persia: Several countries looking to develop it - fought and lost to Britain and Russia

British Imperialism in India

East India Company: Trading company that had complete control over India – with own military

Sepoys: Indian soldiers working for E. India company

“Jewel of the Crown”: India was the most valuable colony for Britain (300 million people and raw materials)

Impacts of Imperialism in India

Positive: Built up infrastructure – roads, railroads Improved quality of life – literacy, hospitals, schools

Negative: Britain had complete control (political and economic) Cash crop=famine

Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny

Rebellion of Hindu and Muslim soldiers against the British; forced the British to take complete control and caused racism

Raj:

British controlled portions of India

Indian Nationalism

Groups calling for self government

Imperialism in SE Asia

Dutch East India Company: Dutch company founded in the early 17th century to establish direct trade in Asia

British-Malayan Peninsula: Britain took control; wanted to complete with the Dutch for tin and rubber

French Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos- rice and rubber – eventually led to US involvement in Vietnam

Effects of Imperialism in Asia

Positive Impacts: Economies grew; education; health; sanitation improved

Negative Impacts: Region became a melting pot of religion and culture – led to clashes that still exist today

Siam Maintains Independence

Present day Thailand – make changes to keep colonial powers out

US Imperialism

Wanted to compete with Europe and establish itself as a global power

Won in Spanish-Am. War with Guam and Puerto Rico

Annexed from Queen Liliuokalani