Imperialism

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Imperialism

• the domination by one country of the political,
  economic or cultural life of another country or
  region.

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Reasons for its spread

• From 1870 to 1914 strong economies due to the
  Industrial Revolution, strong central
  governments, and a sense of superiority amongst
  European nations (Social Darwinism).
• Economy Need for raw materials (rubber,
  petroleum, manganese, palm oil), markets for
  finished goods, and places to invest capital.
• Political and Military
• Needed places and materials to re- supply ships.
• Prestige and a limit on the territory controlled
  by ones enemies.
• Humanitarian
• White Mans Burden- doctors, missionaries,
  officials.
• Social Darwinism- the belief that Whites are the
  superior race and must impose their ways on all
  others.

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Why didnt they other places fight back?

• 1. Their empires were in decline at that time-
  Ottoman Empire in Middle East, Mughal India, Qing
  China, West African kingdoms.
• 2. Europeans had better weapons (Maxim Machine
  gun, repeating rifles, and steam warships) also
  had medicines to help them survive in tropical
  climates where they couldnt before.
• 3. some places tried but werent very successful-
  it did lead to independence movements later on.

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Forms of Imperialism

• colonies
• direct- sent French officials to rule the new
  land enforce their culture.
• b. indirect- British used local officials, but
  had their children educated in England.
• 2. Protectorates use of local officials who
  follow orders from the colonial power- esp. trade
  and missionaries.
• - cost less to run than a colony and didnt
  require direct military support.
• 3. spheres of influence economic imperialism-
  the area of a country (China) can ONLY trade with
  a certain European power.
• - Latin America was a US sphere of influence.

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Spreading Christianity was still important.
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Effects of Imperialism
The majority of changes were enforced from the
Europeans (and Americans) to the subject
nations of Asia, Latin America, and Africa

• Economic to social changes
• The natural resources from colonies were
  developed in mines and on plantations-gt they were
  paid in wages (cash economy instead of barter)-gt
  people purchased food which they used to grow,
  and finished goods which they could no longer
  make themselves (cloth in India)-gtcolonial
  economies were dependent on the global market for
  their goods-gt people were taxed to pay for
  colonial government-gt didnt make enough money to
  support their families-gt families were split up
  as men or daughters were sent off to work
  elsewhere-gt traditional life and values eroded.

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Effects of Imperialism

• Economic benefits
• The colonial powers set up the modern banking
  system and brought technology and communication
  and transportation systems.

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Effects of Imperialism

• Cultural Impact
• modernization westernization- people began to
  devalue their own traditions and culture.
• - began to speak, dress, educate, and act
  western to succeed.
• - some people still resisted Westernization and
  kept to traditional lifestyles.
• education, medicine, religion- brought by
  missionaries (converted or blended), trained
  people for jobs, increased life expectancy, but
  undermined local teachers and healers.
• Western society increased its reliance on
  nonwestern goods, became aware of its history and
  literature, adopted some of its fashions and
  music.

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Effects of Imperialism

• Political Impact
• The colonial powers forcibly brought together
  many historically warring groups, leading to
  relative stability.
• Eventually the educated children of the
  Non-westerners would develop nationalism and call
  for independence, which competed with the
  increasing hostility between European powers over
  claims for colonies-gt this would be a major
  factor in the outbreak of WWI.

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