Imperialism: Ideologies and Berlin Conference

• Imperialism involved complex interactions with lasting global effects

Myth of European Superiority

• A belief held by European nations asserted their race, culture, and civilization were more advanced than others.
• It portrayed non-European people as "savage" to justify colonization as a civilizing effort.
• Racist ideologies were underpinned by this myth, legitimizing exploitation and domination.

White Man’s Burden

• Rudyard Kipling coined this term to describe Europeans' supposed moral obligation to civilize the non-European world.
• The idea was that the white race had a duty to bring education, religion, and Western values to uncivilized populations.
• It provided a moral justification for imperialism, reinforcing the idea that colonialism was benevolent.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

• European powers met to divide Africa among themselves to avoid conflicts over territorial claims.
• The conference resulted in the "Scramble for Africa," leading to enduring instability through arbitrary territory divisions disregarding ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Spanish-American War (1898)

• Afterward, the United States acquired Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Guam from Spain.
• These acquisitions marked the U.S.’s rise as a global imperial power.

Yellow Journalism

• By sensationalizing and exaggerating news stories, it swayed public opinion in favor of the Spanish-American War.
• Newspapers like William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal fabricated stories of Spanish atrocities in Cuba to stir up anti-Spanish sentiment, fueling the conflict.

Most Advanced Civilizations Before Imperialism

• Ottoman Empire was a major power in the Middle East and Southeast Europe.
• Mughal Empire dominated South Asia.
• China (Qing Dynasty) was a leading civilization in East Asia.
• Japan was initially isolated but rapidly modernizing by the late 19th century.
• These societies were viewed as inferior by Europeans due to the imperial mindset, despite their sophistication.

Scramble for Africa (Late 19th Century)

• Economic motives were caused by Africa’s resources like gold, rubber, and diamonds attracting European powers.
• European powers wanted control of key territories for military and trade advantages as part of strategic motives.
• European nations competed for dominance in Africa to showcase their global power due to national prestige.
• Arbitrary borders ignored ethnic groups, leading to conflicts that persist today.
• Exploitation of African labor and resources also occurred.

Non-Economic Motives of Imperialism

• Desire to expand national influence and prestige, as part of nationalism.
• Europeans believed it was their duty to spread Christianity, as part of religious motives.
• Social Darwinism involved the belief that stronger nations had a right to dominate weaker ones, reflecting the idea of racial superiority.

Decline of the African Slave Trade

• Abolition movements in Europe and the Americas occurred.
• The Industrial Revolution reduced the demand for slave labor in agriculture.
• Colonial resistance in Africa also contributed.
• The transatlantic slave trade declined by the mid-19th century and was officially abolished in most nations by 1860.

Comparison of French, Dutch & British Imperialism

• French Imperialism focused on direct control and assimilation, illustrated by Algeria and Indochina.
• Dutch Imperialism emphasized economic exploitation with indirect rule, exemplified by Indonesia.
• British Imperialism used mixed systems of direct and indirect rule, relying on local elites to maintain control, as seen in India.

Indirect Rule vs. Direct Rule

• Direct Rule involved European powers controlling colonies through their own administrators, such as French rule in Algeria.
• Indirect Rule involved local rulers administering colonial areas under European control, such as British rule in India.
• Indirect rule often led to collaboration with local elites, whereas direct rule meant greater exploitation and control.

Countries Never Colonized

• Ethiopia resisted Italian colonization in Africa during the late 19th century.
• Thailand (Siam) successfully maintained its independence in Southeast Asia through diplomatic negotiation, particularly with Britain and France.

Major Cash Crops in Southeast Asia

• Rubber was essential for European industries.
• Rice was a staple crop, primarily for export.
• Tin was mined in places like Malaya and crucial for industrial use.
• These crops shaped the economies of Southeast Asian colonies, often leading to exploitation and monoculture economies.

King Leopold & Congo

• King Leopold II of Belgium personally controlled the Congo Free State (1885-1908), extracting vast wealth through forced labor and brutal tactics.
• Millions of Congolese died from exploitation, disease, and violence under Leopold’s rule, which became infamous for human rights abuses.

British Colonization of Egypt

• The Suez Canal (opened in 1869) was a vital trade route connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.
• It provided Britain with crucial access to India and the Far East.
• The British took control of Egypt in 1882 to secure this strategic asset.

Comparison of Imperialism in Asia vs. Africa

• Imperialism in Asia often involved trade and cultural exchange alongside exploitation.
• British rule in India aimed to control resources and trade routes but also involved more investment in infrastructure.
• European powers treated Africa largely as a source of raw materials with minimal investment in infrastructure.
• The colonization was more brutal, with less regard for local societies.

Effects of Imperialism

• Access to raw materials for European industries, positive effect for colonizers.
• New markets for European goods was a positive effect for colonizers.
• Increased political power and global prestige occurred, a positive effect for colonizers
• Exploitation of resources and labor, negative effect for colonized
• Cultural destruction and loss of autonomy for colonized.
• Artificial borders led to ethnic tensions and conflicts for colonized.