imperialism. africa before imperialism culture: hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups – some...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
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
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