World Imperialism Study Guide

Imperialism Overview

• Imperialism involves one nation exerting control over another, often through military or economic means.
• The five primary motives driving imperialism are economic, political, religious, exploratory, and ideological.

Economic Motives

• Nations sought raw materials for production and aimed to reduce dependency on other countries.
• New markets were required for selling manufactured goods, creating a drive for expansion.

Political Motives

• Imperialism was often driven by national pride and the desire for global dominance among competing nations.

Religious Motives

• Missionaries aimed to convert local populations to Christianity.
• Efforts included establishing schools, providing healthcare, and building hospitals.

Exploratory Motives

• Curiosity about foreign lands and peoples spurred explorations for both fame and fortune.
• Nations wanted to ensure they didn't fall behind in the race for territorial expansion.

Ideological Motives

• A belief existed that Western nations had a responsibility to spread their ideas and knowledge.
• There was a strong conviction that dominating "lesser" nations was a moral duty rather than a choice.

Nationalism and Racism

• Nationalism refers to a strong devotion to one’s country, often leading to competitive imperial ambitions.
• Racism expressed a belief in the superiority of one race or ethnic group over others, justifying imperial control.

Types of Imperialism

• Imperialism can manifest in three forms: colonies, protectorates, and spheres of influence.
• Colonies are territories directly controlled by a foreign power.
• Protectorates maintain local rulers while being under foreign control.
• Spheres of influence involve regions where a foreign power holds exclusive privileges but does not directly govern.

White Man's Burden

• A poem by Rudyard Kipling that rationalized imperialism as a moral obligation of Western powers to "civilize" other nations.

Africa and Imperialism

• The Berlin Conference regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, leading to the partitioning of the continent.
• The Suez Canal was strategically important, connecting the Red Sea and Mediterranean, facilitating faster trade routes to Asia.

Key Figures in Imperialism

• Cecil Rhodes was a British imperialist with ambitions to expand Anglo-Saxon influence across Africa.

Effects of Imperialism on Africa

• Positive outcomes include modernization, improved trade markets, advances in medicine, and education.
• Negative consequences include cultural destruction, forced migration of tribal groups, the introduction of segregation, and unresolved societal issues.

Opium Trade and China's Reaction

• Britain introduced opium to China, aiming to create a demand to exchange for Chinese goods.
• China was coerced into signing the Treaty of Nanking, which favored foreign powers.

Open Door Policy

• A principle allowing all nations to have equal trading rights in China, aimed at maintaining the country's territorial integrity.

Boxer Rebellion

• Triggered by the Qing Dynasty's inability to safeguard national interests leading to anti-foreigner sentiments and violence.

India under British Rule

• India was vital to the British Empire for its resources like cotton and tea, and its large population provided a labor force and market.

Japan's Role in Imperialism

• Japan participated in the imperialist era, expanding influence primarily through trade.

Russo-Japanese War

• Marked the first significant victory of an Asian power over a European power, altering perceptions of global power dynamics.