New Imperialism

The New Imperialism Begins

• Imperialism is a country having foreign possessions. Usually these possessions were the result of war. (Imperialism a.k.a. colonialism)

• Why did imperialism increase after 1880? - The Industrial Revolution fueled imperialism as

European countries looked to foreign lands for labor, natural resources, new markets to sell the many goods now being produced in the new factories and it was a source of national prestige

The Second Imperialism Begins Continued

- European imperialism was also fueled by he spirit of competition. No country wanted to have the fewest or weakest colonies.

- Another factor that led to imperialism was religion. Some Europeans wanted to spread Christianity to native populations.

- A concept known as the White Man’s Burden referred to the belief of Europeans that they had a duty to bring civilization to the primitive cultures in Africa, South America, etc.

The New Imperialism Begins Continued

• Imperialist European powers included Great Britain, France, Germany etc.

- Great Britain led the new imperialism by gaining Singapore as a new colony. The United States got involved in imperialism when they took some of Spain’s colonies in the Spanish American War. Some of these possessions included the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba

The New Imperialism Begins Continued

- Emilio Aguinaldo was a Filipino independence leader who fought and died trying to rid the Philippines of U.S. rule

• Imperialism/Colonialism had 2 different models that were used by the Europeans

- The 2 models were direct and indirect colonial rule

- With indirect colonial rule the indigenous people were allowed to keep their local culture and participate in the government with the understanding that they would serve their imperial European masters as instructed.

The New Imperialism Begins Continued

- Indirect colonial rule had the advantage of causing less warfare and was also less traumatic for the native population. France often used this method of rule.

- Direct Colonial Rule involved Europeans directly governing the territory and replacing the indigenous culture with a more European culture. This form of colonial rule was more traumatic for the native population and was often met with more resistance. Great Britain often utilized direct rule.

- During the 20th century native populations began to challenge the imperialist governments. Some countries began to gain their independence in the 1930’s.

Imperialism in Africa

• In the late 19th Century the European powers began to see Africa as a good place to colonize. Earlier it had been seen as a place for trade.

- During the late 19th Century the African slave trade became illegal

- In West Africa Great Britain established the following colonies: Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia. France established the following colonies: French West Africa, Morocco, and Algeria. and Germany established the following colonies: Cameroon, German Southwest Africa- The United States was NOT involved

- In Egypt a powerful Ottoman officer Muhammad Ali created a separate and independent state

Imperialism in Africa continued

- A French entrepreneur used Egyptian territory to build the Suez Canal. This connected the Mediterranean and Red Seas

- In 1875 Great Britain was able to take control of the canal when the Egyptian government went bankrupt and sold their share of the canal to the British. In 1914 Egypt became a British protectorate.

• The 2 countries to make claims in Central Africa were Great Britain and Belgium. Great Britain claimed Uganda and Belgium claimed the Belgian Congo

• Lord Stanley was hired by King Leopold to explore Central Africa

- Central Africa gained the interest of Lord Stanley and David Livingstone after they learned of the area through exploration- King Leopold was most responsible for the

colonization of Congo

Imperialism in Africa continued

The 2 European groups that fought over South Africa were the Boers and Great Britain. Eventually many of the Dutch settlers known as Boers (or Afrikaners) moved into the interior of the continent to escape the British. The Boers movement away from the British was known as the Great Trek. The Boers eventually established new republics

- A well know African leader known as Shaka fought against the British and the Boers and carved out a powerful empire for the Zulu nation

Imperialism in Africa continued

- Eventually the British government and Boers became engaged in a full scale war known as the Boer War. The British won this war and formed the Independent Union of South Africa.

- The colony of Rhodesia was also set up in South Africa. Rhodesia was named after Cecil Rhoades who established diamond mines and farms

- Germany took some possessions in Africa but was very late getting into the Imperialist race. An example of a German colony was German South West Africa (present-day Namibia).

- By 1914 the only free states in Africa were Liberia and Ethiopia- Eventually some natives received western educations leading them

to a better understanding of western culture. Some began to demand better treatment of native populations and started independence movements.

Imperialism in India

• India was a favorite and very important colony of Great Britain

- The British East India Company originally was set up to establish strong trade with India and eventually came to represent the British government in India

- The British built a series of forts to maintain military control. They also built roads, railways, schools etc.

- The 2 largest religions in India were Islam and Hindu- The British employed part of the native population to

help them maintain control. These native troops were known as Sepoys. Many of the Sepoys eventually revolted against the British because it was rumored the British were using grease from pigs and cows to lubricate their bullets.

Imperialism in India continued

- During the Sepoy rebellion the famous Kanpur Massacre occurred. At Kanpur 200 defenseless British women and children were massacred. The British took their revenge with a similar massacre when they recaptured Kanpur.

- Eventually the rebellion was defeated and the British government decided to directly control India. A new position was created called the viceroy who governed India on behalf of Queen Victoria.

- 2 benefits that British rule had for India were increased order and stability and an efficient government

- Negative consequences: Many fell into economic hardship while a few got rich, Indian farmers started growing cotton exclusively so that the country did not have enough food, low wages, and high taxes

Imperialism in India Continued

- British treated Indians as second class citizens- People began to hope for an increased say in the government, more

rights and independence. These people became known as Indian Nationalists. The first nationalists were upper class and well educated Indians.

- An organization known as the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Their original goal was increased participation in the government.

- An influential author Rabindranath Tagore influenced Indians and westerners with writings that encouraged human dignity, world peace and understanding between east and west

- Mohandas Gandi rose to become the most well known Indian nationalist. Gandi was educated in the west and then went to South Africa where he learned how to fight against injustice. His methods centered around non-violent protest. Eventually he succeeded in creating an independent India.

Imperialism in Latin America

• Latin America was colonized mainly by Spain and Portugal long before the new Imperialism in Africa and India

- The term for Spanish conqueror is conquistador - Napoleon’s overthrow of the Spanish and Portuguese monarchies

seriously weakened imperial rule in Latin America in the early 19th century

- A group known as the creoles were descendants of Europeans who had settled in Latin America. They supported equality for the native populations.

- Another well known European class in Latin America was the Penninsulares. They were officials who went to Latin America temporarily to gain a political advantage back home in Portugal and Spain.

- The creoles worked with the Mestizos (people of mixed European and native decent) to rid Latin America of imperial rule.

Imperialism in Latin America

- Eventually the efforts toward independence began to pay off. Jose de San Martin was able to successfully lead an independence movement in Argentina while Simon Bolivar worked with San Martin to liberate Venezuela

- As the Latin American countries became independent a new class of land owning elites took over the political power.