19th Century Imperialism

What is Imperialism?

The takeover of a country or territory by a stronger nation with the intent of dominating the political, economic, and social life of the people of that nation.

Why Imperialism??

Economic reasons

Sense of national pride- size mattered!

Social justification

Economic Motivations

With industrialization, Europeans needed new markets and raw materials to increase their profit margin.

Sense of National Pride

Europeans viewed empire as a measure of national greatness. Competition for colonies amongst Europeans (and later the United States).Ability to project military power aboard increasingly became the role of navy.

Social Justification Social Darwinism- Herbert Spencer and others used Charles Darwin’s idea of Survival of the Fittest and applied it to race coming to the erroneous conclusion that some races (Europeans) are better than others.

Scientific(NOT) Racism

White Man’s BurdenTake up the White Man’s Burden--Send forth the best ye breed--Go bind your sons to exileTo serve your captive’s need;To wait in heavy harness,On fluttered folk and wild--Your new-caught sullen peoples,Half-devil and half-child.

White Man’s BurdenTake up the White Man’s Burden--The savage wars of peace--Fill full the mouth of FamineAnd bid the sickness cease;And when your goal is nearestTe end for others sought,Watch Sloth and heathen FollyBring all your hopes to naught.

Rudyard Kilping, @1890’s

Christian MissionariesMissionaries wanted to “civilize” and “westernize” the peoples of Asia, Africa and the Pacific.Many tried in the process to end practices such as slavery and sati.

Where in the World?

How?

Military Force

Technological superiority

Maxim Gun -world’s first automatic machine gun

How?

Means to Control Empire

Use of steam engine

Trade

How?

Cures for tropical diseases such as malaria (quinine) made interior exploration possible.

How?

Took advantage of African rivalries and disunity. Over 75 ethnic groups and over 100 languages.

Resistance to Imperialism

Eleven major uprisings against colonial powers including:Samori Toure - Mandinkan kingdom in west Africa(French west Africa)Maji Maji uprising in German East Africa (Tanzania)Ethiopia (Menelik II and the Battle of Adowa 1896.)

Resistance to Imperialism

Defensive Modernization

In places such as Ethiopia, Siam and Japan, nations decided to modernize and emulate the west before they were taken over.

Resistance to Imperialism

“… The African is really helpless against the material goods of the white man, as embodied in the trinity of imperialism, capitalistic exploitation, and militarism.”

Edward Morel, a British journalist

Examples of Imperialism: Africa

Scramble for Africa

Consequences of Imperialism

Loss of political autonomy (control)

Spread of disease

Exploitation of land, resources and people

Conversions of Christianity

Roots of modern day conflicts (Rwanda, Middle East, Vietnam…)

Colonial Legacy

Education

Laws

Language

Architecture

Sports

Rise of Western Dominance

Economic, Political, Social, Cultural, & Artistic

Conclusions…