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

I. Japan modernizesJapan built a modern army and navy, and began creating an empire

II. Southeast Asian and the PacificBy the 1890’s, Europeans controlled most of Southeast Asia, and the US gained Hawaii, the Philippines, and Samoa

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

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