World History: European Imperialism and Africa

Study Notes

European nations partitioned Africa as a part of their exploitation of resources, similar to what occurred in other parts of the world.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, spread from England to other European countries, leading to increased production and profit for capitalists.
Capitalism is an economic system where production and distribution are controlled by capitalists to increase profit.
The advent of large-scale industries led to overproduction, forcing industrialized countries to search for new markets.
European countries used political power and military forces to economically exploit Asian, African, and Latin American nations, leading to colonization.

Overproduction in European countries led to competition for new markets.
European countries established trade relationships with other nations and used their power to exploit them.
Colonization occurred when European countries imposed their dominance on these nations.

Imperialism is a distinctive phase of finance capital flowing to colonies, imposing a nation's political, economic, and cultural dominance on another nation.
Characteristics of imperialism include:
- Legal system imposition
- Administrative measures
- Military force
- Destruction of traditional economic systems
- Replacement of administrative and judicial systems
- Forced cultivation of cash crops
- Increased poverty and unemployment
- Exploitation of natural resources
- Destruction of indigenous arts, literature, language, culture, and education systems

Competition and conflict among imperialist nations for colonies and markets led to the outbreak of wars.
The First World War was caused by:
- Conflicts among European nations vying for colonies
- Formation of military alliances (e.g., Triple Alliance and Triple Entente)
- Aggressive nationalism
- Nationalism in Europe based on various movements (e.g., Pan-slave, Pan-German, Revenge movements)

Formation of alliances in Europe aggravated political tensions.
These alliances were based on aggressive nationalism and led to a competitive arms race.
European nations justified their actions by believing their own nation to be superior.

Moroccan Crisis (1904):
- Britain and France signed a treaty, with Britain agreeing to France's claim over Morocco.
- Germany opposed this claim and sent battleships to the Moroccan Port, Agadir.
- France transferred a part of the French Congo to Germany.
- Germany agreed to concede Morocco to France.
Balkan Crisis (1912):
- The Balkan League (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro) defeated Turkey.
- Conflicts arose among the allied nations about sharing the benefits of war.
- The League broke up and sparked wars among them.

Austria-Hungary laid claim over the Balkan region.
Serbia claimed the region with the support of Russia.
Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian youth, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne.
Austria held Serbia responsible for the assassination and declared war on July 28, 1914.
Most nations were involved in the war, either directly or indirectly.