IMPERIALISM
imperialism—the domination by one country or people over another group of people
From the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century, an era dominated by what is now termed Old Imperialism. In the
Age of New Imperialism that began in the 1870s, European states established vast empires mainly in Africa, but also in Asia and the Middle East.
Old Imperialism
European nations established colonies in the Americas, India, South Africa, and the East
Indies, and gained territory along the coasts of Africa and China
In the first half of the nineteenth century, colonialism became less popular The Napoleonic Wars, the struggle
for nationalism and democracy, and the cost of industrialization exhausted the energies of European nations
However, in the mid-nineteenth century, Europe—especially Great Britain and France—
began an economic revival
During the Victorian Era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, Great Britain became an
industrial giant, providing more than 25 percent of the world’s output of industrial goods
aggressive expansion overseas.
European nations established colonies in the Americas, India, South Africa, and the East
Indies, and gained territory along the coasts of Africa and China
In the first half of the nineteenth century, colonialism became less popular The Napoleonic Wars, the struggle
for nationalism and democracy, and the cost of industrialization exhausted the energies of European nations
However, in the mid-nineteenth century, Europe—especially Great Britain and France—
began an economic revival
During the Victorian Era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, Great Britain became an
industrial giant, providing more than 25 percent of the world’s output of industrial goods
aggressive expansion overseas.
New Imperialism
From the late 1800s through the early 1900s, Western Europe pursued a policy of imperialism that became known
as New Imperialism.
From the late 1800s through the early 1900s, Western Europe pursued a policy of imperialism that became known
as New Imperialism.
FACTORS
ECONOMIC REAOSN -By 1870, it became necessary for European industrialized nations to expand their markets globally in order to sell
products . The economic gains of the new imperialism were limited, however, because the new colonies
were too poor to spend money on European goods.
products . The economic gains of the new imperialism were limited, however, because the new colonies
were too poor to spend money on European goods.
Military and Political Reasons- Leading European nations also felt that colonies were crucial to military power, national security, and nationalism. Colonies guaranteed the growing European navies safe harbors and coaling stations, which they needed in time of war.
SUEZ CANAL (EXAMPLE)
SUEZ CANAL (EXAMPLE)
Humanitarian and Religious Goals- Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) in his famous poem, “The White Man’s Burden” expressed this mission in the 1890s
when he prodded Europeans to take up “their moral obligation” to civilize the uncivilized.
when he prodded Europeans to take up “their moral obligation” to civilize the uncivilized.
Social Darwinism- Charles Darwin (1809–1882) published On the Origin of Species. The Europeans believed that they, as the white race, were dominant and that it
was only natural for them to conquer the “inferior” people as nature’s way of improving mankind. Thus, the
conquest of inferior people was just, and the destruction of the weaker races was nature’s natural law.
was only natural for them to conquer the “inferior” people as nature’s way of improving mankind. Thus, the
conquest of inferior people was just, and the destruction of the weaker races was nature’s natural law.
Imperialism in Asia
India -
The British took control of India in 1763, after defeating the French in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763).
The British introduced social reforms, advocated education, and promoted technology. Britain profited greatly from India.
The British took control of India in 1763, after defeating the French in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763).
The British introduced social reforms, advocated education, and promoted technology. Britain profited greatly from India.
China- Since the seventeenth century, China had isolated itself from the rest of the world and refused to adopt Western
ways. Imperialism in China began with the First Opium War (1839–1842), when the
Chinese government tried to halt the British from importing opium. This resulted in a war in which Britain’s
superior military and industrial might easily destroyed the Chinese military forces
The Treaty of Nanking (1842).
By the 1900s, China was in turmoil. There was rising sentiment against foreigners because China had been forced
to give up so many political and economic rights. This anti-foreign sentiment exploded into the Boxer Rebellion
or Uprising (1899–1901).
ways. Imperialism in China began with the First Opium War (1839–1842), when the
Chinese government tried to halt the British from importing opium. This resulted in a war in which Britain’s
superior military and industrial might easily destroyed the Chinese military forces
The Treaty of Nanking (1842).
By the 1900s, China was in turmoil. There was rising sentiment against foreigners because China had been forced
to give up so many political and economic rights. This anti-foreign sentiment exploded into the Boxer Rebellion
or Uprising (1899–1901).
Japan- Japan was the only Asian country that did not become a victim of imperialism. USA PORT CLOSE BY SHOGUN ( RULER).
MODERNISE BY BORROWING .
WANT TO MAKE THEMSELVES SO STRONG TO COMPETE WITH THE WEST POWERS. The Japanese were so successful that they became an imperial power. In the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95,
Japan defeated China and forced her to give up her claims in Korea .
shocked the world by defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese
War of 1904–1905. Japan’s victory was the first time that an Asian country had defeated a European power in
over 200 years.
MODERNISE BY BORROWING .
WANT TO MAKE THEMSELVES SO STRONG TO COMPETE WITH THE WEST POWERS. The Japanese were so successful that they became an imperial power. In the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95,
Japan defeated China and forced her to give up her claims in Korea .
shocked the world by defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese
War of 1904–1905. Japan’s victory was the first time that an Asian country had defeated a European power in
over 200 years.