Imperialism

Africa Before Imperialism Culture: Hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups – some traditional, some Christian and Muslim Political Structure: Large empires to small independent villages

Why did the Europeans want Africa? Nationalism, Resources, European superiority Social Darwinism: Application of evolution and Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” to human societies

Forces Enabling Imperialism Internal: No unity; civil war over land, water and trade; Europeans used this to their advantage External: Guns and transportation; disease

Berlin Conference Set up process to divide Africa

Boer War Boers (Dutch living in S. Africa) vs British over control over S. Africa – Britain won

Types of Control Indirect: Relied on existing political leaders Direct: Africans unable to govern themselves (European idea) so the imperialist nations controlled them

African Resistance Unsuccessful: Couldn’t compete with guns (Maji Maji rebellion) Menelik II was able to keep independence (one of the few success stories)

In modern day Tanzania, maji translates to war medicine Poorly armed Africans led a rebellion against the German control in the region, particularly over the cotton Africans did pretty well considering… then the Germans planned a famine – destroyed wells, crops, livestock, destroyed food stores, eventually causing their surrender Famine killed between 100, ,000 and the battle killed between 200, ,000 insurgents Historians still debate the roots of the conflict Some people in the region say that lions still have a taste for people

Defeated Italy at Battle of Adwa Italians had old guns, bad maps, the wrong footwear for rocky terrain, bad communication, and low morale – troops numbered about 17,000 King Menelik raised an army of 73, ,000 – Russian advisors and guns

Positive Impacts of Imperialism in Africa Reduce local warfare; improved sanitation; built schools and hospitals; economic expansion

Negative Impacts of Imperialism in Africa Famines due to cash crops; loss of land and culture; disease

The Crumbling Ottoman Empire Corruption led to the downfall – Europeans saw it as an opportunity

Europeans Take Control Prime Location: Close to waterways Crimean War: Britain, France, and Ottoman Empire vs Russia – Russia lost, now European nations can go after Africa Muhammad Ali: Took over Egypt and planted cash crop, cotton – turned Egypt into an international market and built Suez Canal Persia: Several countries looking to develop it - fought and lost to Britain and Russia

British Imperialism in India East India Company: Trading company that had complete control over India – with own military Sepoys: Indian soldiers working for E. India company “Jewel of the Crown”: India was the most valuable colony for Britain (300 million people and raw materials)

Impacts of Imperialism in India Positive:  Built up infrastructure – roads, railroads  Improved quality of life – literacy, hospitals, schools Negative:  Britain had complete control (political and economic)  Cash crop=famine

Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny Rebellion of Hindu and Muslim soldiers against the British; forced the British to take complete control and caused racism

Raj: British controlled portions of India

Indian Nationalism Groups calling for self government

Imperialism in SE Asia Dutch East India Company: Dutch company founded in the early 17 th century to establish direct trade in Asia British-Malayan Peninsula: Britain took control; wanted to complete with the Dutch for tin and rubber French Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos- rice and rubber – eventually led to US involvement in Vietnam

Effects of Imperialism in Asia Positive Impacts: Economies grew; education; health; sanitation improved Negative Impacts: Region became a melting pot of religion and culture – led to clashes that still exist today

Siam Maintains Independence Present day Thailand – make changes to keep colonial powers out

US Imperialism Wanted to compete with Europe and establish itself as a global power Won in Spanish-Am. War with Guam and Puerto Rico Annexed from Queen Liliuokalani