Imperialism January 17th, 2017

The Age of Discovery, for many European countries, was an extremely exciting moment as new lands were being discovered which brought forth new riches of wealth of European nations. Gold, fish, silver, cotton, beaver pelts, are a few examples of the resources European nations came across with the discovery of these new lands.

End of the Age of Discovery The Age of Discovery ended in the early 1600s. New technological advances and increased knowledge of the now known world made it easier for Europeans to travel across the globe. In addition, the creation of settlements/colonies along coast lines in new areas created a network of communication and trade, therefore ending the need to continue the search for new routes.

Not the end of exploration entirely…. It is worth noting that some explorers continued their quest for the search of new lands. Regions such as Australia (1770) and parts of Africa (1800s-1900s) were explored far past when the Age of Discovery was considered to be over.

Imperialism is the idea of expanding one’s empire. The Age of Discovery would start a process which begun in the 1400s and lasted into the early 1900s. This process became known as Imperialism. Imperialism is the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political power over other nations. Imperialism is the idea of expanding one’s empire. a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere

Cannot stress this enough – Imperialism is built on the desire to increase wealth and power.

There are two forms of Imperialism: Old Imperialism – 1400s to early 1800s New Imperialism – 1880 - 1914

The Start of Imperialism Territorial expansion on the continent of Europe became less desirable as the balance of the power system had made need to expand power an expensive plan. Therefore, European countries took to the seas.

European Powers directed their attentions to new colonies and claiming new land for their desire of territorial expansion. Not only do we witness a shift of authority and power within European nations, but also a demonstration of authority and power on the Indigenous peoples within those regions.

What countries were imperialized? Canada United States South American Countries 90% of African Countries Many South Asian Countries

What came out of Imperialism The impact of empire-building.

Positive Outcomes Economic Imperialism Plantations, farms, and ranches were cultivated to maximize profits for the European colonists. Cultivation of new crops – movements of goods across the Atlantic. Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peppers, peanuts and tobacco. Also have the beginning of the fur trade, especially in Canada, where you see trading with First Nations People. Trade for beaver pelts.

Positive Outcomes By extension, it brought globalization (trade). Introduction of industrialization & modern technologies. Guns, transportation, infrastructure, health care and science Education & scientific thinking Exchanging of cultural ideas, traditions, and customs.

Negative Outcomes Cultural Imperialism - Ethnocentrism Assimilation of Aboriginal Peoples/Indigenous Peoples/Native Peoples occurred Meaning that the Europeans forced their own traditions upon many of the First Nations Peoples/Indigenous Peoples Imposing European social structure (religion, culture & language) as an alternative to ‘barbaric’ First Nation societies. War between colonies and Indigenous peoples. Ethnocentrism – belief that you are superior over ones culture and ethnic background Belief that imperialism would bring successful culture to inferior groups.

Negative Outcomes Introduction of new diseases to the New World By late 1800s, millions of First Nations Peoples died mostly from disease The First Nations Peoples did not have immunities to many European diseases This has a larger ripple effect as it begun to weaken the traditional societies of the First Nations Peoples. In some cases, some cultures were lost completely because of European disease.

Negative Imperialism Exploitation Political Feud Natives were exploited to work on plantations or farms as slaves. Africans were forced into labour and involved in the slave trade as well. Natural resources were taken without payment. Political Feud Nations that resisted expansion in their territory were often killed causing war and genocide. Wars between European Nations for land occurred along with wars between conqueror and conquered.

The question we need to ask ourselves is what overarching affects imperialism had on the world. The Age of Discovery was a moment in history which can be considered as ground breaking for many Europeans of that day. However, what inspired from the Age of Discovery produced a negative result on our world that still feels the effects in today’s society.

The power and authority that the Europeans demonstrated throughout the period of imperialism affects us greatly today. We see many examples of this European power through the killing of the Aztec, Mayan, and Incan populations and through the assimilation (the “cultural genocide”) that took place here in Canada. The question we need to ask ourselves is, does this idea of European power still exist today?