1919thth Century Century European European

ImperialismImperialism

Out with the Old and in with the New…

The Old Imperialism (to The Old Imperialism (to 1870)1870)

• During the first three quarters of the During the first three quarters of the 1919thth century, European powers showed century, European powers showed little interest in overseas expansion.little interest in overseas expansion.

• In fact, it appeared that imperialism In fact, it appeared that imperialism was on the way out.was on the way out.

• Economic and political liberalism was Economic and political liberalism was largely against imperial ventures of largely against imperial ventures of political oppression and mercantilist political oppression and mercantilist trade.trade.

The British EmpireThe British Empire• The British Empire was the largest overseas The British Empire was the largest overseas

empire in the early 19empire in the early 19thth century, but there was century, but there was little interest in further expansion.little interest in further expansion.

• The American War of Independence still The American War of Independence still loomed over British colonial policy.loomed over British colonial policy.

• In the Western Hemisphere, British control in In the Western Hemisphere, British control in Canada expanded westward, but discontent Canada expanded westward, but discontent was growing.was growing.

• The British North America Act of 1867 The British North America Act of 1867 established the Dominion of Canada (extensive established the Dominion of Canada (extensive autonomy in domestic policy.autonomy in domestic policy.

• British continued to control much of the British continued to control much of the Caribbean. Caribbean.

The British EmpireThe British Empire

• AfricaAfrica– The British had captured the Cape The British had captured the Cape

Colony during the Napoleonic Wars Colony during the Napoleonic Wars and trading stations along the coast.and trading stations along the coast.

– In the 1820s, British settlers moved in, In the 1820s, British settlers moved in, causing friction with the Boers causing friction with the Boers (descendants of Dutch colonists who (descendants of Dutch colonists who settled there in the 17settled there in the 17thth century.) century.)

– In the Great Trek of 1835-1837, Boers In the Great Trek of 1835-1837, Boers moved north and established the state moved north and established the state of Transvaal and the Orange Free of Transvaal and the Orange Free State.State.

The British EmpireThe British Empire

• IndiaIndia– In India, most of the British administration In India, most of the British administration

was controlled by the East India Company.was controlled by the East India Company.– In 1857, Indian troops rebelled against In 1857, Indian troops rebelled against

British rule in the Great Mutiny (aka the British rule in the Great Mutiny (aka the Sepoy Rebellion).Sepoy Rebellion).

– This occurred as a result of BEIC abuses, This occurred as a result of BEIC abuses, cultural frictions, and rumors of pig and cow cultural frictions, and rumors of pig and cow fat used in powder charges (insult to Hindus fat used in powder charges (insult to Hindus and Muslims)and Muslims)

– As a result, the British government took As a result, the British government took direct rule of India in 1858 (British Raj)direct rule of India in 1858 (British Raj)

The British EmpireThe British Empire• ChinaChina

– The British established a trade system of The British established a trade system of importing opium from India to China in return importing opium from India to China in return for tea during the 19for tea during the 19thth century. century.

– When the Chinese government attempted to When the Chinese government attempted to stop this, Britain went to war with China in stop this, Britain went to war with China in 1842 (the Opium War).1842 (the Opium War).

– China was quickly defeated, resuming the China was quickly defeated, resuming the import of opium and Britain annexed Hong import of opium and Britain annexed Hong Kong in 1842.Kong in 1842.

– As a result of further conflict, namely the As a result of further conflict, namely the Taiping Rebellion, China gave away more of Taiping Rebellion, China gave away more of its sovereignty. its sovereignty.

The British EmpireThe British Empire

• The British also continued to The British also continued to control several key outposts.control several key outposts.– Gibraltar and Malta in the Gibraltar and Malta in the

MediterraneanMediterranean– Aden in the Red SeaAden in the Red Sea– Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the

Indian Ocean.Indian Ocean.– Singapore in the Pacific Singapore in the Pacific

Ocean.Ocean.– Australia and New Australia and New

Zealand were growing Zealand were growing colonies for British and colonies for British and Irish settlers.Irish settlers.

GibraltarGibraltar

The British EmpireThe British Empire

The Latin American The Latin American ColoniesColonies

• The Independence movements The Independence movements between 1804 and 1824 in between 1804 and 1824 in Latin America proved for the Latin America proved for the rest of Europe what the rest of Europe what the American Revolution proved American Revolution proved for the British.for the British.

• Nationalism and liberalism Nationalism and liberalism assured that Portugal would assured that Portugal would lose control of its vast territory lose control of its vast territory in Brazil, France would lose in Brazil, France would lose Haiti, and Spain would lose the Haiti, and Spain would lose the rest of Latin America, save rest of Latin America, save Cuba and Puerto Rico (Spain Cuba and Puerto Rico (Spain also retained the Philippines in also retained the Philippines in the Pacific).the Pacific).

The French EmpireThe French Empire

• Through the Seven Years War, and Through the Seven Years War, and the Revolutionary and Napoleonic the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, France had lost most of its Wars, France had lost most of its overseas territories.overseas territories.

• All of French North America was lost All of French North America was lost to the British, Spanish and to the British, Spanish and Americans.Americans.

• French influence in India was lost French influence in India was lost after the Seven Years War.after the Seven Years War.

The French EmpireThe French Empire

• The French continued to have island The French continued to have island colonies in the Caribbean on Guadeloupe colonies in the Caribbean on Guadeloupe and Martinique, as well as French Guiana and Martinique, as well as French Guiana in South America.in South America.

• In Africa, the French operated several In Africa, the French operated several coastal trading stations and exerted some coastal trading stations and exerted some influence in Egypt and the Middle East.influence in Egypt and the Middle East.

• In 1830, the French slowly began In 1830, the French slowly began acquiring territorial rights in Algeria and acquiring territorial rights in Algeria and in Indochina.in Indochina.

The Dutch ColoniesThe Dutch Colonies

• The Dutch, now a second rate power due The Dutch, now a second rate power due to its small size and domination by to its small size and domination by surrounding powers protected what it surrounding powers protected what it had.had.

• They continued to exploit what they They continued to exploit what they could through trade and their island could through trade and their island empire in the East Indies.empire in the East Indies.

• A revolt on Java between 1825 and 1830 A revolt on Java between 1825 and 1830 was crushed, bring harsher rule by the was crushed, bring harsher rule by the Dutch.Dutch.

Russian ExpansionRussian Expansion

• Russia was the only European power to Russia was the only European power to aggressively continue its expansionist aggressively continue its expansionist policies throughout the 19policies throughout the 19thth century. century.

• In contrast, however, Russian expansion In contrast, however, Russian expansion was over land and contiguous with its was over land and contiguous with its territory.territory.

• Russian expansion came at the cost of the Russian expansion came at the cost of the crumbling Ottoman Empire along the crumbling Ottoman Empire along the Black Sea, a power vacuum in Central Black Sea, a power vacuum in Central Asia, and Chinese weakness along the Asia, and Chinese weakness along the North Pacific Coast.North Pacific Coast.

The Russian EmpireThe Russian Empire

Austria, Prussia, and Austria, Prussia, and ItalyItaly

• During the first half of the 19During the first half of the 19thth century, century, overseas imperial expansion was not an overseas imperial expansion was not an option for Prussia, Austria, and the states of option for Prussia, Austria, and the states of Italy.Italy.

• Prussia and the Italian states were Prussia and the Italian states were primarily concerned with domestic affairs primarily concerned with domestic affairs (Rev. of 1848) and their unification (Rev. of 1848) and their unification movements.movements.

• Austria as well was concerned with internal Austria as well was concerned with internal affairs and any expansion came at the price affairs and any expansion came at the price of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans.of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans.

The New ImperialismThe New Imperialism

• In the late 1860s and 1870s, European In the late 1860s and 1870s, European powers began to reverse their disdain for powers began to reverse their disdain for obtaining formal colonies.obtaining formal colonies.

• In the period from 1870 to 1914, In the period from 1870 to 1914, European nations (as well as the U.S. and European nations (as well as the U.S. and Japan) would go on a colonization drive Japan) would go on a colonization drive like never before.like never before.

• In just a couple of decades, nearly all of In just a couple of decades, nearly all of Africa and large areas of Asia and the Africa and large areas of Asia and the Middle East would come under European Middle East would come under European domination.domination.

Motivations for New Motivations for New ImperialismImperialism

• Nationalism and competition among states for Nationalism and competition among states for additional territory was a major political and additional territory was a major political and psychological factor.psychological factor.

• The influence of Social Darwinism pushed the The influence of Social Darwinism pushed the “strongest to survive” and to dominate the “strongest to survive” and to dominate the weak.weak.

• Humanitarian and religious considerations led Humanitarian and religious considerations led to military interventions, missionary zeal, and to military interventions, missionary zeal, and the “civilizing” mission.the “civilizing” mission.

• European industrial development caused the European industrial development caused the need for natural resources and new markets need for natural resources and new markets to sell in and invest.to sell in and invest.

Imperialism and European Imperialism and European SocietySociety

• Policies in colonial possessions were Policies in colonial possessions were often used as test beds for social policy often used as test beds for social policy at home; hospitals, schools, law at home; hospitals, schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure was enforcement, and infrastructure was often tested in colonies.often tested in colonies.

• Imperialistic ventures were used as Imperialistic ventures were used as nationalistic propaganda at home and nationalistic propaganda at home and was a way of forming national unity in was a way of forming national unity in the face of class tensions.the face of class tensions.

• Liberals often opposed imperial ventures Liberals often opposed imperial ventures where conservatives favored them. where conservatives favored them.

The British EmpireThe British Empire

• AsiaAsia– Consolidation of the British Raj Consolidation of the British Raj

continued as the British government continued as the British government expanded its formal rule over greater expanded its formal rule over greater territories in northern and western India.territories in northern and western India.

– In 1877, Queen Victoria was declared In 1877, Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India.Empress of India.

– British control expanded eastward into British control expanded eastward into Burma, and Malaya and northward to the Burma, and Malaya and northward to the border with Afghanistan (created as a border with Afghanistan (created as a buffer against the Russians)buffer against the Russians)

The British EmpireThe British Empire• EgyptEgypt

– In 1875, the British bought a 44 percent In 1875, the British bought a 44 percent share in the previously French controlled share in the previously French controlled Suez Canal (1869).Suez Canal (1869).

– The British took a greater role in Egyptian The British took a greater role in Egyptian affairs until it was made a British affairs until it was made a British Protectorate in 1882.Protectorate in 1882.

• East and West AfricaEast and West Africa– In East and West Africa, Britain expanded In East and West Africa, Britain expanded

its old trading posts into full colonies, its old trading posts into full colonies, leading to conflict with the natives leading to conflict with the natives (example: Anglo-Zulu War of 1879)(example: Anglo-Zulu War of 1879)

– These included Gambia, Sierra Leone, The These included Gambia, Sierra Leone, The Gold Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Gold Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.Somalia.

Battle of Rouke’s Drift in the Anglo-

Zulu War.

The British EmpireThe British Empire• South AfricaSouth Africa

– Led by the efforts of imperialist Led by the efforts of imperialist and capitalist and capitalist Cecil RhodesCecil Rhodes..

– Rhodes made fortune in Rhodes made fortune in diamonds, discovered in Cape diamonds, discovered in Cape Colony in 1869.Colony in 1869.

– He pressed for British He pressed for British expansion in Southern Africa.expansion in Southern Africa.

– Tensions mounted in the 1880s Tensions mounted in the 1880s with the discovery of gold in with the discovery of gold in Transvaal, British prospectors Transvaal, British prospectors moved in with the blessing of moved in with the blessing of Rhodes, the PM of Cape Rhodes, the PM of Cape Colony.Colony.

The Boer War (1899-The Boer War (1899-1902)1902)

• President Paul Kruger of Transvaal was President Paul Kruger of Transvaal was convinced the British were going to annex convinced the British were going to annex their state, Kruger then tried to ally with their state, Kruger then tried to ally with Germany.Germany.

• Tensions led to war in 1899. The Boers led a Tensions led to war in 1899. The Boers led a determined guerilla war that lasted four years determined guerilla war that lasted four years (first post-modern war?). The Boers were (first post-modern war?). The Boers were often placed in concentration camps.often placed in concentration camps.

• With the end of the war in 1902 and the With the end of the war in 1902 and the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, the Boers were integrated into the British the Boers were integrated into the British Dominion and came to dominate it.Dominion and came to dominate it.

The British EmpireThe British Empire

The British Empire, 1914The British Empire, 1914

The French EmpireThe French Empire

• In the 1870s, the French extended their In the 1870s, the French extended their colonial control over North and Western colonial control over North and Western Africa.Africa.

• Algeria was made a full colony, with large Algeria was made a full colony, with large numbers of French settlers moving in to numbers of French settlers moving in to farm.farm.

• Control was then extended to Tunisia and Control was then extended to Tunisia and Morocco and large amounts of territory in Morocco and large amounts of territory in French West Africa, Senegal, Guinea and French West Africa, Senegal, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, as well as Madagascarthe Ivory Coast, as well as Madagascar

• In Asia, French Indochina was colonized. In Asia, French Indochina was colonized.

Anglo-French Conflict in Anglo-French Conflict in SudanSudan

• An uprising in the Sudan under the leadership An uprising in the Sudan under the leadership of the infamous Mahdi threatened British of the infamous Mahdi threatened British interests.interests.

• General Charles Gordon reached Khartoum in General Charles Gordon reached Khartoum in 1884 to evacuate the garrison but was 1884 to evacuate the garrison but was besieged by the Madhi, the British troops besieged by the Madhi, the British troops were massacred.were massacred.

• In 1897, Lord Kitchener retook Khartoum. He In 1897, Lord Kitchener retook Khartoum. He then set off down the Nile with a flotilla of then set off down the Nile with a flotilla of gunboats to confront French General gunboats to confront French General Marchand at Fashoda. This precipitated the Marchand at Fashoda. This precipitated the Fashoda CrisisFashoda Crisis when, ultimately unable to when, ultimately unable to face a naval war with Britain, the French face a naval war with Britain, the French backed down. backed down.

Scramble for Africa – Scramble for Africa – Leopold IILeopold II

• In the 1870s, King Leopold II of Belgium In the 1870s, King Leopold II of Belgium began the process of creating a personal began the process of creating a personal colony in the Congo Basin, the colony in the Congo Basin, the Berlin Berlin ConferenceConference made his acquisitions legal. made his acquisitions legal. Leopold used forced labor in the Leopold used forced labor in the production of rubber, ivory and production of rubber, ivory and minerals.minerals.

• As international protests intensified, the As international protests intensified, the Belgian government took control of the Belgian government took control of the Belgian Congo in 1908.Belgian Congo in 1908.

Scramble for Africa – Berlin Scramble for Africa – Berlin ConferenceConference

• Intense rivalries among Belgium, France, Intense rivalries among Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Portugal for additional African territory, and Portugal for additional African territory, and ill-defined boundaries of their various ill-defined boundaries of their various holdings, instigate the Berlin Conference of holdings, instigate the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 (organized by Bismarck) 1884-1885 (organized by Bismarck)

• Powers defined their spheres of influence and Powers defined their spheres of influence and laid down rules for future occupation on the laid down rules for future occupation on the coasts of Africa.coasts of Africa.

• No African states were invited to the Berlin No African states were invited to the Berlin conference, and none signed these conference, and none signed these agreements. agreements.

AfricaAfrica

Imperialism in ChinaImperialism in China

• By the end of the 19By the end of the 19thth century, every century, every major European power had established major European power had established spheres of influence in China.spheres of influence in China.

• The weakening of the Manchu dynasty The weakening of the Manchu dynasty made the situation worse.made the situation worse.

• The newly industrial and imperialistic The newly industrial and imperialistic Japanese defeated the Chinese in the Japanese defeated the Chinese in the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, seceding further control of China’s seceding further control of China’s territory. territory.

Imperialism in ChinaImperialism in China

MigrationMigration

• At the same time Europeans were At the same time Europeans were colonizing for nationalism, riches and colonizing for nationalism, riches and religion, massed of people were religion, massed of people were migrating from Europe to other areas of migrating from Europe to other areas of the world.the world.

• Estimates say that over 25 million people Estimates say that over 25 million people migrated from Europe between 1875 to migrated from Europe between 1875 to 1914.1914.

• Nearly half migrated to the Americas, Nearly half migrated to the Americas, others went to Australia, Africa, and Asia.others went to Australia, Africa, and Asia.

Effects of ImperialismEffects of Imperialism• European imperialism had dramatic impact on European imperialism had dramatic impact on

Europe and the wider world.Europe and the wider world.• European society was altered due to its European society was altered due to its

predominate position, economic benefits and predominate position, economic benefits and costs, external influences, and competition costs, external influences, and competition among states.among states.

• The colonized world was drastically changed, The colonized world was drastically changed, with European cultural, economic, and political with European cultural, economic, and political ideas becoming the global norm.ideas becoming the global norm.

• The positives and negatives for both sides are The positives and negatives for both sides are still very much debated today and still affect still very much debated today and still affect today’s world.today’s world.