Chapter 13: New Global Patterns French political cartoon from the late 1890s. A pie represents "Chine" (French for China) and is being divided between caricatures of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, William II of Germany (who is squabbling with Queen Victoria over a borderland piece, whilst thrusting a knife into the pie to signify aggressive German intentions), Nicholas II of Russia, who is eyeing a particular piece, the French Marianne (who is diplomatically shown as not participating in the carving), and the Meiji Emperor of Japan, carefully contemplating which pieces to take. A stereotypical Chinese official throws his up his hands to try and stop them, but is powerless. It is meant to be a figurative representation of the Imperialist tendencies of these nations towards China during the decade.
Setting the Scene Imperialism profited industrial nations, but disrupted economies elsewhere, forcing non-western peoples to accept western ways. Japan became a modern industrial power with its own imperialistic goals. Western powers claimed most of the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia. In Latin America, a pattern of military rule and economic dependency emerged. The United States created its own sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere.
I. Japan modernizes Japan remained closed to foreigners until 1853, when the US demanded that it open its ports In 1853 United States Commodore Matthew Perry met with Japan’s royal commissioner in Japan. With a fleet of American gunships docked in the harbor, Perry presented the Japanese with a trade and friendship treaty.
I. Japan modernizes During the Meiji Restoration, reforms were made in the government, economy, and society
Japan built a modern army and navy, and began creating an empire I. Japan modernizes Japan built a modern army and navy, and began creating an empire
II. Southeast Asian and the Pacific By the 1890’s, Europeans controlled most of Southeast Asia, and the US gained Hawaii, the Philippines, and Samoa
III. Impact of Imperialism Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all gained self-rule from Great Britain
III. Impact of Imperialism Monroe Doctrine: prohibited Europeans from colonization in the Americas Roosevelt Corollary: claimed police power in the Americas
III. Impact of Imperialism Western powers disrupted traditional economies in Africa and Asia
III. Impact of Imperialism Colonial rulers introduced a money economy that replaced the barter system in some countries
III. Impact of Imperialism Local economies became dependent on western powers, which bought raw materials and supplied manufactured goods
III. Impact of Imperialism Colonial rule brought economic benefits - modern banking, technology, communications, and transportation networks
III. Impact of Imperialism Westerners pressed colonies to accept "modern" ways - western ideas, government, technology, and culture
III. Impact of Imperialism Missionaries built schools and hospitals, benefiting the people General Council Missionaries Rajahmundry Mission Field, India
III. Impact of Imperialism Imperialism enabled missionaries to spread the Christian faith, but not in areas of ancient religions Buddhists, Hindus, and Moslems
III. Impact of Imperialism Western cultures also changed during the Age of Imperialism - they realized other cultures had much to offer
III. Impact of Imperialism By the early 1900s, resistance to imperialism resulted in nationalist movements to end colonial rule
III. Impact of Imperialism In 1914 and 1939, imperialist ambitions would contribute to the outbreak of two shattering world wars