The Height of Imperialism

1. The Height of Imperialism 1800-1914 Ch. 21

2. Colonial Rule in Southeast Asia • The Scramble for Territories • Imperialism  The extension of a nation’s power over other lands • Europeans had set up colonies and trading posts in North America, South America, and Africa • The New Imperialism set up in the late sixteenth century was established to create direct control over vast territories

3. Motives for Imperialism • 1. Capitalist states were looking for both markets and raw materials for their industries • 2. Gain advantage over rivaling European nations • 3. National Prestige • 4. Social Darwinism & Racism (Only the fit are victorious) • Racist beliefs led to the use of military force

4. Colonial Take Over • Great Britain • 1819 G.B. sent Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles to found a new colony on a small island now called Singapore • Burma would be colonized next to protect its possessions in India

5. France • France had missionaries in Vietnam and they nervously watched the British advance into Burma • The French refused to leave and the country was divided (North & South) • French finally succeeded in making the Vietnamese set up a PROTECTORATE • Protectorate Political unit that depends on another government for its protection • 1880s France extended rule into Cambodia, Annam, Tonkin, and Laos

6. United States • 1898  During the Spanish-American War, the US naval forces under Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay • President William McKinley decided to turn the Philippines into an American colony • Emilio Aguinaldo fought for resistance and fought the US in bloody warfare but ultimately lost

7. Colonial Regimes • Indirect & Direct Rule • Direct Rule • Colonial government in which local elites are removed from power and replaced by a new set of officials • Indirect Rule • Local rulers were allowed to keep their authority and status in a new colonial setting • This made access to the region’s natural resources easier • Cheaper because fewer officials had to be trained and it did not affect the culture as much

8. Colonial Economies • Colonial powers did not want their colonists to develop their own industries • Stressed exports of raw materials • Plantation owners kept wages at poverty level to increase profits

9. Resistance to Colonial Rule • Most resented the Western powers controlling them • Peasant revolts were common • Early resistance movements failed

10. Empire Building in Africa • West Africa • Europeans wanted Africa’s raw materials, especially those of West Africa • By late 1800’s, slave trade ended, other trade became very important • 1874  Great Britain annexed the west coastal states as the first British colony of the Gold Coast • Most of Africa was taken by Europeans between 1880-1914

11. North Africa • Egyptians break from the Ottoman Empire in 1805 • Muhammad Ali seized power and established a separate Egyptian state • Modernized: Army, Schools, Industry, Ships for trade • Britain takes an active interest in the Suez canal and makes Egypt a protectorate in 1914

12. South Africa • Boers occupied South Africa • Boer Wars break out • 1899-1902 Fierce guerrilla warfare broke out and angered the British. The British captured about 120,000 Boer women and children and placed them into detainment camps • British eventually win and the Boers are forced to sign a treaty

13. British Rule in India

14. Sepoy Mutiny • Sepoys – hired Indian soldiers to protect the British East India Company’s interests in the region • Growing distrust, the Sepoys revolt and this becomes their first war of Independence • Rumor that the British were greasing bullets with cow fat (Hindu religion) • The English government took direct control of the company

15. Colonial Rule • The British government ruled India directly through a British official known as a viceroy  governor who ruled as a representative of a monarch • Benefits of British Rule • 1. Brought order among Indians • 2. New school system set up • 3. Railroads, telegraphs, and postal services were set up in India

16. Colonial Rule • Costs of British Rule • Destroyed local industries (British gained enormous amounts of wealth) • Zamindars (Tax collectors) became corrupt • Made farmers grow cotton (Food shortage)

17. Indian Nationalist Movement • The first Indian nationalists were upper class and English-educated • Most wanted reform NOT revolution • 1885 Indian National Congress was formed and called for a share of governing powers • Religious differences created a Muslim league as well • Mohandas Gandhi became the symbol for Independence in India (Pacifist)