the new imperialism

The New Imperialism

Europe Meets the

World

“Lopsided World”

The Industrial Revolution created an economic gap between Europe and the rest of the world in the 19th century.

19th c. the “British Century”“Third World” / Non-Industrialized

Conquest of Distance

RailroadsSteamboatsCanals

Suez – Egypt

Panama

Increase in intercontinental trade

CanalsWith the construction of the Panama

and Suez Canals, the world is getting smaller than ever…

Panama Canal(1914)

Suez Canal(1869)

Emigration

Not only were Europeans reproducing in record numbers at the turn on the 20th century, but they were also leaving Europe in record numbers

“Great Migration”

Europeans nearly 40 percent of global population in 1900.

A lot can change in 100 years…

World Population in 2005

New Imperialism

1880-1914

European nations take control over most of the globe.

Different from “Old Imperialism” of the Age of Exploration

British Empire

By 1921: ¼ of global population and land mass

Africa

The “Dark Continent”

In 1880, Westerners had only claimed a few coastal areas… the rest was a mystery.

“The Dark Continent is no place for an addict, Elaine.” – J. Peterman

http://jpeterman.com/

Africa

1880 – 1914

Several European nations claim portions of Africa

The Scrambl

e for Africa

1886

1914http://unimaps.com/africa

Belgian Congo

King Leopold governed directly

Local inhabitants treated harshly

Rubber

Sir Cecil Rhodes

British

Made a fortune mining diamonds in S. Africa

DeBeers Corporation

“Band of Brothers”

Rhodesia

Rhodes ScholarshipsPhilanthropy

Rhodes MonumentSouth Africa

British Imperial Wars (Africa)

Boer Wars vs. Boers (Afrikaners)

Descendents of original Dutch Calvinist colonists

Anglo-Zulu War vs. native Zulu tribe

Boer guerrillas during the

Second Boer War

“Buffalo Horns”

Formation

(Zulu)

Quinine

Used to treat malaria – a common disease in Sub-Saharan Africa and India

Bitter Taste – best when combined with other ingredients

Tonic Water

British India

British East India Company (Until 1858)

“Mutiny” (1857-1858)

Raj (1858-1947) India governed directly by British gov.

British India

Administration

3,500 member British civil service

300 Million Indians

British India

The British established a secondary education system

English-speaking, Indian elite served in the British government and army

Absorbed British culture

Glass Ceiling

Highest positions were still filled by the British

Resentment

Nationalism starts with this offended Indian elite

China

Closed System1500 – Most

Advanced Technologies

Europeans borrow during Age of Exploration

1800 – Behind Europe Technologically

China

China still not interested in European goods in 19th century

British have to pay for Chinese goods with silver.

China

Opium Trade

Grown in India, sold in China

Opium Wars 1839-42, 1856-60

British Win – gain Hong Kong

(returned to China in 1997)

Opium

SilverChin

a

British

India

Japan

1500s – Jesuit missionaries arrive1600s – Jesuits – and all outsiders –

expelled

1853 – Commodore Matthew Perry (U.S.N.) demands negotiations

Japan opens/Westernizes

Reasons for New Imperialism

Technology Gap in late 19th century Greater than any time before or

since National Security

Protect investments (e.g., Suez Canal)

Naval Bases Special Interests (missionaries,

etc.) Adventure Civilizing Mission

Education White Man’s Burden / Brown Man’s

Burden

Social Darwinism

Origin of the Species (1859) Evolutionary

theory Common descent Survival of the

fittest

Social Darwinism Social Darwinism

applies Darwin’s scientific findings to justify fierce competition between individuals and nations for dominance.

Herbert Spencer

Social Darwinism

“I contend… that we [English] are the finest race in the world and the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race.”

-- Sir Cecil Rhodes

Critics of Imperialsim

J.A. Hobson, Imperialism: A Study (1905)

“Cui bono?” (Who benefits?)

V.I. Lenin

Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism

Claimed that capitalist nations needed imperialism in order to survive… they would eventually run out of territories to exploit.

Russo-Japanese

War

Who Will

Control

Korea?

Westernization

Mikasa

British-built

Japanese

Battleship

Siege of Port Arthur

Russian Pacific Fleet

destroyed

July, 1904 – Jan., 1905

Russia Redeploys

Baltic Fleet

Russia Loses Again

Japan WinsFirst victory of an Asian Power over European Power

Treaty of Portsmouth

The U.S.

Mediates

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE (1906

)