Imperialism & Nationalism

What is Imperialism? Due to Industrialization, European nations wanted more resources to fuel their production. European nations looked to areas that they could colonize and exploit for resources and raw materials. People in Africa and Asia found themselves politically, economically, and socially controlled by European powers.

“OLD” IMPERIALISM 1500s-1700s European nations searched to find trade routes to gain more wealth Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, England, France colonized the Americas Led to wars (like French and Indian) Possible anecdotes: French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War), Spanish and Portuguese competition in Latin America, etc.

New Imperialism No longer about setting up colonies or exercising direct control over areas It was about economic reasons! New Markets Raw Materials Acquiring Territory Possible anecdote: The loss of colonies in the Americas helped spur interest in new colonies while also illustrating the need for change in the nature of imperialism.

There are 3 key reasons for the rise of Imperialism in the 19th Century

The Industrial Revolution European powers wanted markets to sell their finished goods (like textiles) Also needed sources of raw materials (like cotton)

2. Nationalism People within countries begin to recognize their common culture, languages, history, shared territory, and religion. People become loyal to a nation over kings or empires, and protecting that nation becomes a priority. Nations build military bases like Pearl Harbor

3.Belief in European Superiority Social Darwinism and racism- at the time, non-Europeans (and Americans) were considered less intelligent and less physically developed. “White Man’s Burden”- poem by Rudyard Kipling expressing that white men needed to care for the less advanced.

White Man’s Burden, by Rudyard Kipling Take up the White Man’s burden— Send forth the best ye breed— Go send your sons to exile To serve your captives' need To wait in heavy harness On fluttered folk and wild— Your new-caught, sullen peoples, Half devil and half child

The Scramble for Africa

Background on Africa European misconception that Africa was not civilized...wealthy kingdoms and rich cultures existed! In 15th c. Europeans established ports on the coasts of Africa for trade. Lacked technology to travel into interior Disease discouraged European expeditions

Background on Africa Europeans become interested in Africa when a newspaper begins reporting on a missing medical missionary-David Livingstone. In 1871, an American reporter, Henry Stanley, finds Livingstone after 30 years. Belgium King Leopold II hired Stanley to set up settlements to colonize the Congo.

The Congo King Leopold II Ruled 1865-1909

Berlin Congress 1884-1885 14 European nations met in Berlin, Germany to “carve up” Africa No African countries were invited

Berlin Congress 1884-1885 Only Liberia & Ethiopia (Christian Empire) were not claimed All nations agreed at the time to stop the slave trade in Africa

Modern Day Exploitation of Africa Blood Diamonds

BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN INDIA

Setting the Stage British East India Company Agents 1600s – British East India Company established trading posts in Bombay, India. In 1700, Britain had little success in Asia and Africa By the late 1700s, the British would expand their power elsewhere Why? New technologies (Industrial Rev.) and weakening empires (Mughal Empire) British East India Company Agents

British East India Company Created to control trade between Britain, India, and East Asia Goal: Profit from selling cotton cloth, silk & sugar British defeat of France in Seven Year’s War (1756- 1763) leaves them the major power in India

British East India Company The company built telegraph, railroads, postal service and schools The British said they were there to restore order but they manipulated Indian rulers British introduced new education system and the English language India was the most important colony… referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown”

British East India Company British shipped opium from India to China in exchange for tea they sent to England Indians resented British interference Indians not allowed high level positions in Company British Opium Warehouse in Patna, India

The Sepoy Mutiny By 1857, British-India relations were strained The Sepoys were Indian soldiers who fought in British army A new British rifle was introduced Sepoys had to bite off the end of the ammunition cartridge, greased with pork and beef fat This offended Sepoy Muslims and Hindu

The Sepoy Mutiny Extreme violence broke out British send reinforcements and put down mutiny in 1858 British government takes command of India away from British East India Company The British government would rule directly in India

Areas of Sepoy Mutiny

Toward Independence 1885: Hindus formed the Indian National Congress → Mahatma Gandhi “Great One” 1906: Muslims created the Muslim League

Toward Independence Gandhi persuaded Indians to practice passive resistance → followers refused to obey British laws, serve in the military, pay taxes. → arrests and beating took place 1947: British weakened by WWII → grant India independence → divide country in two → Muslim Pakistan (NW & NE India) → Republic of India