Imperialism“The Sun Never Sets on the British

Empire”

Industrial Revolution transformed the West in two ways:

1. Science2. Technology

Definition:

Imperialism – domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.

Causes1. Economic Interests• Natural Resources – rubber, petroleum,

manganese, palm oil• New Markets - to sell factory goods

2. Political & Military• Bases – to resupply steam powered ships and

naval vessels with coal• Nationalism – claimed that colonies were needed

for national security

Causes

3. Humanitarianism• Missionaries, doctors and colonial officials were sent

to spread the blessings of Western Civilization (medicine, law, & Christianity)

4. Social Darwinism• “Survival of the Fittest”• European races were superior to all races. Conquest

and Destruction of weaker races will improve the human species.

Western Advantages

1. Strong Economies2. Well Organized Govt’s3. Powerful Armies4. Superior Technology (Maxim Gun)5. Medical Knowledge (ie. Quinine)

Resistance?• Strengthened some invaded societies• Domestically• Tools for the rich• Immoral -

Types of Rule

1. Colonies• Direct Rule – officials sent to rule (French)• Indirect Rule – local leaders ruled (British)

2. Protectorates• Local rulers expected to follow the advice of

European Advisors (cheaper)3. Sphere of Influence• Outside power claims exclusive investment and

trading privileges

Africa1914

Early Contact in Africa1. Explorers – Goal was to reach the interior of

Africa using the Niger, Nile, and Congo Rivers.2. Missionaries – spread Christianity, build

schools and medical clinics3. Dr. Livingstone – most famous, created a

detailed travel of Africa

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?

European Scramble• King Leopold of Belgium -1860’s attains

control of the Congo. (Ivory & Rubber)• Eventually had to turn the Congo over to the

government due to brutalization of workers.

Berlin Conference

• Meeting of European nation in 1884.• Recognized Belgium’s claim to the Congo, but

free trade on the Congo and Niger River.• European country could not claim power

without setting up a government office.

In 20 years, Europe carved new borders and territories with complete disregard of original citizens.

Political Cartoons

Resistance

• Nehanda – female ruler of the Shona Tribe, gathered an army and fought the British. Captured and Executed.

• Menelik II – Ruler who modernized Ethiopia – Built modern roads and bridges, schools, and imported

weapons.– Defeated an invading Italian army in 1896 to remain

independent.• Elite Class – African upper class emerged, Western

educated, who supported independence.

Muslim World

3 Major Muslim Empires• Mughals (India)• Ottomans (Middle East)• Safavids (Iran)

All in decline, central governments lose control

Ottoman Empire1798-1923

• Pashas – local rulers• Revolts throughout empire– Eastern Europe– North Africa– Egypt claims independence

• Westernization was one of the key reason for uprising

Ottoman Empire

Young Turks• 1908 – Overthrow of the sultan• Goal was to reform in order to save the

empire• Armenian Genocide• Muslim Turks distrusted Armenian Christians• Aprox 1 million killed over 25 years• Still a highly sensitive topic today

Egypt

Muhammad Ali“Father of Modern Egypt”Dynasty 1805-1914

Egypt

• Introduce modern political and economic reform• Hired military experts to train military

Suez Canal (1869)• 100 mile waterway connecting Med and Red Sea• Egypt ran out of money to finish project• Britain bought the shares to the Canal• Became lifeline to India

• Egypt becomes a protectorate of England. Gov remains official of Ottoman Empire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlM1G3oaUZo

Iran

• Sphere of Influence– Russian in the North– Britain in the South

• Founding of oil in 1900’s• Iranian gov’t persuaded to allow special

economic rights to foreign powers.

Imperialism in India

British Rule in India

• British East India Company– British trading company that ruled India’s political &

military affairs– Controlled 3/5 of India by early 1800s– Took advantage of India’s cultural differences, making

it difficult for Indians to unite against British

Sepoy Rebellion

• Sepoys= Indian soldiers hired by British East India Company

• Growing distrust of the British leads to revolt– Sepoys went on rampage, killing men, women,

and children– Rivalries between Hindus & Muslims make it

difficult for Indians to work together– Britain crushes the rebellion, burns down villages,

slaughters thousands

India Becomes a Colony

• 1876: India becomes British colony, the “brightest jewel”

• Direct rule using viceroys, British officials• 3,500 officials ruled approx. 300 million

people

Pros & Cons of British Rule

Positives• Introduced advances such

as roads, railroads, and the telegraph to India

• Brought order and stability• Reduced crime rate

Negatives• Convert Hindus to Christianity• Disrespect towards India’s

cultural heritage• Selling of British industrial

goods destroyed local industries

• Increased population starvation: between 1800 and 1900, 30 million Indians died of starvation

Rise of Indian Nationalism

• British rule leads to new class of western-educated Indians push for an end to imperial rule

• Indian National Congress: professionals and business leaders who used peaceful protest, support western modernization

• Muslims: Muslims & Hindus worked together at first, but Muslims feared persecution from Hindus & wanted a separate nation

Mohandas Gandhi• Returned to India after

encouraging nonviolent civil disobedience in S. Africa

• Became the leader of India’s independence movement– Continued to encourage

nonviolent resistance – Britain grants India

independence in 1947