New Imperialism

Building Overseas Empires Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region “New Imperialism” was European expansion during 1800s in Africa, Asia & South America

Economic interests lead to expansion –Need natural resources, new consumers, colonies to spread out population Political and Military Motives –Need for military bases, global empire brought prestige Humanitarian and Religious Goals –Christians wanted to spread religion & help less fortunate Applying Social Darwinism –Europeans thought they were better

Western Advantages Europeans had strong economies, well-organized governments, powerful armies Advanced technology like riverboats, telegraph and medicines like Quinine Maxim machine guns, repeating rifles, and steam driven warships

Forms of Imperialism French imposed direct rule –Had Frenchmen control colonies; wanted to impose French culture on colonies Britain used indirect rule –Had local officials run the colonies; taught local kids to become more “westernized” –Protectorate had local rulers who were expected to follow the advice of European advisers on key issues Sphere of influence is an area where an outside power claims exclusive trading privileges

The Partition of Africa Africa was made up many regions, hundreds of languages, and varied governments –Some lived in large states; others in villages

Islamic Crusades in West Africa Usman dan Fodio called for social and religious reforms based on Islamic law Usman helped create a powerful Islamic state in northern Nigeria –Literacy improved, local wars stopped, trade improved

Shaka led the Zulu conquest of many tribes in southern Africa –Helped create a strong Zulu kingdom and army Dutch Boers started to migrate north into Zulu territory –Boers were forced out of their land by British soldiers Zulus were eventually defeated due to lack of technology

European Contact Increases Explorers traveled into Africa to create a map Missionaries followed explorers to help and convert Africans –Were paternalistic, believing they were superior to African “children”

Dr. David Livingstone is the most well known explorer/missionary –Traveled all around Africa and wrote about its peoples Journalist Henry Stanley went to Africa in 1869 to find Livingstone –Found him in 1871; “Dr. Livingstone I presume?”

A Scramble for Colonies Belgium King Leopold II spoke of civilizing and Christianizing “barbaric” Africans; really wanted more power and money –Sent Henry Stanley to report on his findings in Africa –Led to other countries to scramble for colonies

Berlin Conference European countries met in 1884 to determine how to divide African territory –Meeting took place in Berlin, Germany –No Africans were present Countries needed government officials to claim territories Created new boundaries with no regard tradition or ethnicity

Leopold treated natives of the Congo cruelly; had to give up his colony to the Belgian government France controlled portions of Africa larger then the United States Britain controlled eastern and western coasts –Once diamonds were found in Boer territory, Britain moved north to control that territory –Boer War was fought with Britain winning harsh battles and creating Union of South Africa

Africans Resist Imperialism Nehanda led the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe against colonists –Was executed, but legacy helped fuel future fights for freedom Menelik II began to modernize Ethiopia –Roads, schools, weapons and training –Defeated Italian invaders

European Claims in Muslim Regions In the Sudan, Muhammad Ahmad claimed to be the Mahdi, or savior of the faith –Fought against British invasion In Arabia, the Wahhabi movement wanted to go back to the purity of Muhammad’s original teachings –Wahhabi still influences Saudi Arabia today

Problems for the Ottoman Empire Nationalism spread leading to uprisings and independence for several countries Russia wished to gain control of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles –Russia wanted to gain control of the Mediterranean Sea

Efforts to Westernize Ottoman rulers saw a need to reform –Tax collection, railroads, education and military Many officials opposed changes influenced by foreign cultures Ottoman sultans, rulers, rejected reform and go back to old ways

The Young Turks overthrew the sultan and tried to reform Ottoman Turks usually let other nationalities practice their own religions Nationalism led to tensions between Turks and minorities –Armenians faced genocide, or extermination, because of their beliefs

Egypt Seeks to Modernize Muhammad Ali, appointed governor of Egypt, helped lead reforms and independence –Improved tax collection, irrigation, and industries –Had military experts help form and train an army –Helped conquered neighboring lands

Ali’s successors let foreign countries gain control of Egypt Ferdinand de Lesseps of France created a company to build the Suez Canal Egypt was unable to pay back loans for the canal –Sold shares of the canal to pay debts –Britain gained majority control of the Suez Canal Egypt became a protectorate of Britain –Controlled decisions and led to riots

Persia and European Powers The Qajar shahs ruled Persia and worked to reform and modernize Russia wanted to expand through Persia, Britain wanted to protect interests in India Oil led these countries to create spheres of influence and were granted concessions Some Persians wanted more western influence, Muslim leaders disliked the governments decisions

The British Takeover India British East India Company gained trading rights with the Mughal Empire Britain conquered India by exploiting its diversity –Home of many cultures, languages, people –Used superior weapons when needed

East India Company wanted to make money; also helped advancements –Education, law, religions –End slavery & cast system –Improve position of women Ended sati, a practice of widows throwing themselves on husbands funeral fire

Growing Discontent East India Company sent sepoys, Indian soldiers in its service, overseas –Offensive to upper class Hindus Passed a law allowing widows to remarry –Believed to be a Christian conspiracy Soldiers rifles had cartridges greased with animal fat –Indians who refused to use them were imprisoned

Sepoy’s rebelled claiming Mughal rulers as their leaders Killed British men, women and children Britain crushed the rebellion and slaughtered thousands of Indians British government took control of India

British Raj system controlled India –Viceroy governed in the name of the queen Britain was helping India to “westernize” –Improved roads and railroads, communication Westernization hurt Indians –Textiles hurt hand weavers –Growing cash crops caused deforestation, or cutting down of trees

Increased population led to famine –Better healthcare –Growing cash crops instead of food

Different Views on Culture Ram Mohun Roy felt India could learn from the west –Founded Hindu College –Disliked caste system, child marriage, sati, and purdah, isolating women in separate quarters

Indian Nationalism Grows Western educated Indians turned toward western ideas of democracy Formed Indian National Congress –Wanted self-rule but liked modernization Muslim League formed to pursue own goals –Feared Hindus would oppress Muslims

China and the New Imperialism China had a trade surplus, exported more than it imported –Sold silk, porcelain and tea for gold and silver Europeans were restricted to a small trading area

The Opium War British were trading Indian opium for Chinese tea Many Chinese became addicted and gave up silver for opium Chinese government banned opium and executed drug dealers Asked Britain to stop trading; they refused

Chinese warships attacked British merchant ships British warships bombarded Chinese ports and were easily defeated

Britain received a huge indemnity, payment for losses in war and the island of Hong Kong China had to open 5 ports to foreign trade British citizens in China received extraterritoriality, the right to live under home laws and tried by home courts

Poor living conditions and corrupt upper class lead to a peasant rebellion Taiping Rebellion lasted 14 years and called for an end of the Qing dynasty The government was able to crush the rebellion –Caused million deaths

Chinese scholars thought that western ideas threatened Confucian ways Empress Ci Xi created a “self- strengthening” movement; little progress was made Sino-Japanese War led to Japan gaining the island of Taiwan

European powers carved China into spheres of influence U.S. supported an Open Door Policy that left the trade door open to everyone.

Emperor Guang Xu instituted 100 days of reform to help China modernize Ci Xi regained power and reversed all reforms

The Qing Dynasty Falls The Righteous Harmonious Fists formed to rid China of foreign influence Given the name Boxers they started the Boxer Uprising A multinational force helped defeat the Boxers

Reforms took place instituting western ideas Sun Yixian helped form the Revolutionary Alliance to rebuild China –Nationalism, democracy and economic security were goals of the alliance Sun was named president of the new Chinese republic