The Era of Global Change & Conflict: Document Analysis

Analyze each of the following sets of documents and answer the questions in regards to how they relate to our study of the Era of Global Change & Conflict.

TOPIC 1: Nationalism: How did nationalism affect parts of Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century?

“We ardently wish to free Italy from foreign rule…We want to drive out foreigners not only because we want to see our country powerful and glorious, but because we want to elevate the Italian people in intelligence and moral development.” -- Count Cavour, Prime Minister of Sardinia

Document 1: Maps

Document 2: Map Document 3

Document 4: Political Cartoon

TOPIC 2: Imperialism - Motives: What factors motivated countries to become imperialistic in the late 19th and early 20th century?

Document 1

“None of the colonial undertakings (imperialism) was motivated chiefly by the quest for

capitalist profits. They all originated in political ambitions, the nations’ will to gain power,

glory, or national greatness.”

Source: Excerpt from Raymond Aron’s book The Century of Total War, published in 1954.

Aron is a French historian

Document 2

“I contend (believe) that the British are the finest race in the world, and the more of the

world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race. It is our duty to seize every

opportunity to acquire more territory. We should keep this idea steadily before our eyes

that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon (British) race, more of the

best, the most human, most honorable race the world possesses.

Source: Cecil Rhodes, a successful British imperialist in Africa, expresses his position in

Confession of Faith written in 1877

Document 3

“Take up the white man’s burden

send forth the best of ye (your) breed (race)

Go bind (send) your sons to exile

To serve your captives’ (native peoples) need,

To wait, in heavy harness (chains, bondage),

On fluttered (uncivilized) folk and wild,

Your new caught (colonized), sullen (hostile) peoples,

Half-devil and half-child

Source: Excerpt from Rudyard Kipling’s poem The White Man’s Burden.

Document 4 – Political Cartoon

TOPIC 3: Imperialism in Africa: What were the effects of imperialism in Africa?

Document 1: Political Cartoon

"When the whites came to our country, we had the land and they had the Bible, now we have the Bible and they have the land." ~African proverb

Document 2

Document 3: Photo of Children in Belgian Congo

Document 4: Photo of Village

School

TOPIC 4: Imperialism in Asia: What were the effects of imperialism in Asia?

Set 2: Document A

Document 1: Political Cartoon Document 2: Political Cartoon

"The objects and purposes of this Association are: "1. To foster and safeguard the trade and commercial interests of the citizens of the United States…in the Empires of China, Japan, and Korea, and in the Philippine Islands, and elsewhere in Asia or Oceania; "…2. To promote an open area of trade in which all countries can have a faction, but now country can colonize; "…3. And, generally to promote a beneficial acquaintance and association of those having interests and pursuits in common concerned with such trade or commerce… SOURCE: The American Asiatic Association Organizes Businessmen in Support of an Open Door Policy In

China February 1905, Article II.

ARTICLE III. It being obviously necessary and desirable, that British Subjects should have some Port whereat they may careen and refit their Ships, when required, and keep Stores for that purpose, His Majesty the Emperor of China cedes to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, etc., the Island of Hong Kong, to be possessed in perpetuity by Her Britannic Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, and to be governed by such Laws and Regulations as Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, etc., shall see fit to direct.

Document 3: Treaty of Nanking/Nanjing

Document 4: The American Open Door Policy for China