Imperialism

What exactly is it?

In Latin America

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

In Africa

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

In the Middle East

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

In Southeast Asia

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

In the Pacific Islands

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

In East Asia

• Who colonized?

• What happened?

• Impact of Industrialism? Economic role?

Were they all equal rulers?

• AFRICA:– Divide and conquer!– “White Man’s Burden”coined by Rudyard Kipling

(Social Darwinism)– Berlin Conference, 1884; Brussels Convention,

1890– Differing governing roles, similar outcome:

subjugation

Berlin Conference1. Sphere’s of Influence were legitimized2. Buffer states were established to prevent

intervention of other European nations in their territory

3. Hostile tribes were thrown together.4. Conflicting loyalties had grave consequences for

the African tribes.5. Natural dividing lines such as rivers or

mountains were not considered

France

• Algeria, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Guinea, French Congo (West, North, Central, and East Africa)

• Direct rule: the local elites were removed from power and replaced with a new set of officials brought from the mother country.

England• Ghana, South Africa, Egypt• Worked with local governments• Patronizing• Indirect rule: local rulers were allowed to maintain

their positions of authority and status in a new colonial setting

• Brought in some levels of industry• Allowed for easy movement within British Empire

(Gandhi)

Good and Bad of British Rule:

• Britain improved-– Hospitals– Transportation– Communication– Road– Canals– Education– Laws & safety– Improved status for

women

• Britain ruined– Freedom– Self-determination– Social system– Habits/customs– Increased racism– Economic

exploitation

French vs. British rule:• Direct versus indirect rule. • The British followed the indirect approach.

– At first, in some areas, the British simply asked a local ruler to accept British rule and to fly the British flag over official buildings.

– Benefit: not disrupting local customs and institutions. – However, it also kept the old African elite in power and didn’t

allow many ambitious and talented young Africans opportunities to get ahead.

• French direct rule assimilated African subjects into French culture rather than attempting to preserve native traditions. – Africans were eligible to run for office and even serve in the

French National Assembly in Paris.

Belgium

• Congo—Central Africa• Due to little extra-regional trade, Belgium

radically transformed. (lots of intraregional trade—extensive water system)

• Personal property of King Leopoldsought economic return– 1st ivory, but switched to rubber– Extreme cruelty

Germany

• Kamerun, German East Africa

• Arrived late due to German consolidation

Italy

• Ethiopiaclaimed as “Italian Protectorate”– Previously squeezed between Egyptian

expansionists, the Turks, the English, the Italians– Christian country (since the 100s)– Unified country under 1 leader– Modern weaponry

• That didn’t last very long at all—1890-1896

European Imperialism, 1810-1870

After the Berlin Conference