Imperialism is a policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially
Involves the takeover of a country or territory and its people
Definition
Between 1850-1914, industrialized countries exploit overseas colonies for resources and markets.
Western imperialists, with superior arms and technology, establish colonies in Asia and Africa; colonial rule, however, provokes native resistance and spurs feelings of nationalism.
Countries in East Asia respond to Western imperialism in different ways; China initially resists foreign influence while Japan ends its isolation and begins to modernize like its Western counterparts.
Key Themes
Warm-Up Directions Complete the handout—The
Scramble for Africa Label the following countries
on attached map—Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Ivory Coast
Suez Canal Opened in 1869, it is
a manmade waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea
Built by the French Why might it be
important to European imperialism in Africa?
Imperialists Divide Africa“All great nations in the fullness of their strength have desired to set their mark upon barbarian lands…and those who fail to participate in this great rivalry will play a pitiable [pathetic] role in time to come.”
Africa Before Imperialism Many ethnic groups but few
Europeans rule in Africa African armies and traders kept
Europeans out Rivers were impassable, making
it difficult to get inland
Competition Europeans learn
about Africa from explorers
Greed, nationalism, racism, and philanthropy motivate European colonialism
Competition A growing need for new markets
and raw materials to improve their economies
Superior arms (Maxim gun), the steam engine, medicines, and African rivalries help Europeans dominate Africa
Social Darwinism The application of
Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution and “survival of the fittest” to human societies
Justification for imperialist expansion
Social Darwinism Societies with more
wealth, power and technology were superior to those without
Europeans had a right and a duty (“burden”) to spread their values to others
Territorial Scramble The Berlin Conference (1884-5)
divides Africa among European nations
The division fails to take into account African ethnic and linguistic groupings
Berlin Conference Simulation Read directions and identify the goals
of your countries Negotiate and discuss how best to
divide the African continent Submit map and answers to reflection
questions upon completion of exercise Time: ~ 45 minutes
What similarities and differences do you see between your map and the map of 1914 Africa?
How did this exercise help you and your group to understand the process of imperialism in Africa?
Reflection Questions
How did the force of nationalism influence the process of imperialism in the late nineteenth century?
What advantages did the Europeans have that enabled them to conquer the people of Africa?
Explain the concept of Social Darwinism. What imperial motive did it pertain to?
What was the Berlin Conference, and what long-term impact did it have on the African people?
African Imperialism—A Review…
Imperial Control Two basic methods of colonial
management: indirect and direct Indirect control used by Britain and
U.S. (in Pacific) Direct control used by French and
other European powers Paternalism and assimilation
(“association”)
Colonial ManagementIndirect Control Direct Control
Leadership
Self-Rule
Goal
Governmental Style
Examples
Colonial ManagementIndirect Control Direct Control
Leadership Local government officials were used
Foreign officials brought in to rule
Self-Rule Limited self-rule No self-rule
Goal Goal—to develop future leaders
Goal—assimilation
Governmental Style
Government institutions are based on European styles
but may have local rules
Government institutions are based
only on European styles
Examples Examples: British colonies such as
Nigeria, India, Burma U.S. colonies on Pacific
Islands
Examples: French colonies such as Somaliland, Vietnam German colonies such
as Tanganyika Portuguese colonies
such as Angola
African Resistance Africans resist colonial rule,
despite lack of adequate organization and weapons
Ethiopia successfully resists European dominance
Positive Effects Negative Effects
Reduced local warfare, raids between rival tribes
Africans lost control of their land and their independence
Improved sanitation, construction of schools and hospitals led to
increased life spans and improved literacy rates
Many died as a result of disease (smallpox), famine, and resistance
Economic expansion, construction of railroads, dams, telephone /
telegraph lines
Breakdown of traditional African culture (loss of identity), division of
African continent
Impact of Colonial Rule
White Man’s Burden“Take up the White Man’s
burden—Send forth the best ye breed
—Go, bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need;To wait, in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild—Your new-caught sullen
peoples,Half devil and half child.”
Which imperialist motive(s) do/does this poem excerpt
reflect? How does it justify imperialism
as a noble and necessary
enterprise?
White Man’s Burden Analysis Groups of three (3) Complete three
tasks as a group and submit…Poem analysis /
explanationPoem recreationPolitical cartoon
British Control The East India
Company seizes control of most of India
Britain considers India its primary colony, serving as its main supplier of raw materials
“Jewel in the Crown” Raw materials 300 million people large potential market for
British-made goods Restrictions set up that prevented Indian economy
from operating on its own; India produced raw materials for British manufacturing, purchased British finished goods
No competition between Indian and British goods
Indians Rebel Indians object to the
racist attitudes of the British rulers
The Sepoy Mutiny turns into widespread rebellion
The British government takes direct control of India
Indian Nationalism Indians begin to demand a greater role in
government, resenting a system that made them second-class citizens in their own country
Nationalists form the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League
Such groups were formed because they recognized the need to reform in order to resist European imperialism
Review—British Imperialism in India
Imagine that you and a partner have been asked to tell the story of British imperialism
in India to someone younger than you. Using your notes
and homework outline, record a two-paragraph
explanation that accurately describes this development, but does so in a clear and
concise fashion.
Use the following terms in your explanation…
East India Company “Jewel in the Crown” Sepoy Mutiny Indian National
Congress Muslim League
Chinese Resistance China has little interest
in trading with Western nations
British import large amounts of tea from China and smuggle opium into the country
Opium War / Treaty of Nanjing
Internal Problems Increase
Poverty and political corruption create problems for China in the mid-1800s
Taiping Rebellion Should China modernize or remain
committed to traditional values?
Outside InfluenceWestern nations and
Japan gain spheres of influence in China
U.S. promotes Open Door policy to assure trading rights for all nations and to protect China from colonization
Chinese Nationalism Boxer Rebellion Attack on foreigners After rebellion is
crushed by foreign troops, Chinese government realizes change is necessary
Opium War and Boxer Rebellion
What do they have in common?
Resentment of foreigners contributed to both conflicts!
Read and analyze Lin Zexu’s Letter to Queen Victoria
Assume the identity of Queen Victoria of Britain; write a reply letter to Lin Zexu in which you justify the actions of the British in the opium trade and resulting wars
Record your response on the back of the paper; minimum two paragraphs in length
Letter to Queen Victoria Analysis
European Imperialism of China—A Review…
Explain the significance of the following…
Opium War Treaty of Nanjing Extraterritorial rights Taiping Rebellion Sphere of influence Open Door Policy Boxer Rebellion
Japan Previously a very isolated
society; no contact with industrialized world
1854—opens to trade, grants foreigners permission to trade at treaty ports, extends extraterritorial rights to such individuals
Beginning of Meiji Era
Meiji Era Period of
modernization and change
Adopt Western values in government, military structure, education, industrialization, etc.
Japanese Imperialism Defeats China in Sino-
Japanese War Defeats Russia in
Russo-Japanese War, claiming Manchuria and Korea
Reaction to Western influence vastly different than that of China
Objective: Create a list of similarities and differences that breaks down how each country responded to the pressures of
imperialism. Do so with a partner and submit when complete.
A Comparison/Contrast—China versus Japan
Where would you take a foreign visitor?
Read the primary source excerpt—The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa
What are Fukuzawa’s impressions of the United States?
Create a list of 10 places—both local and national—that you would take a foreign visitor to help him/her learn about life in the United States today
Justify each selection!