6 Flashcards
belgian congo
1908-1960 Central Africa The Belgian Congo was a colony controlled by Belgium in Central Africa. It was initially established as the Congo Free State under the personal rule of King Leopold II, but following international recognition for the exploitation and brutal treatment of the local population, Belgium took control in 1908, officially making it a colony. The Belgian Congo was established under King Leopold II of Belgium as the Congo Free State in 1885. This personal colony was set up after the Berlin Conference, which divided Africa among European powers. King Leopold’s aim was to exploit the region’s resources, particularly rubber, ivory, and minerals, to benefit Belgium. The exploitation of the Congolese people reached extreme volumes, with widespread forced labor, executions, and mass deaths due to brutality. International outrage over the abuses led to Belgium taking control in 1908, transitioning it into the Belgian Congo Economic systems, political systems, social structures, cultural developments and interactions.
Berlin Conference
1884-1885 Berlin, Germany The conference aimed to organize European colonization and trade in Africa and to resolve disagreements over the control of African territories among European nations. Intense European rivalry for imperial dominance, economic resources, and geopolitical power, alongside the belief in a “civilizing mission” for Africa led to the Berlin conference. This division led to colonial exploitation, leading to the extraction of resources, the imposition of European culture, and the forced labor of African populations. Economic systems, political systems, social structures, cultural developments and interactions.
Boxer Rebellion
(1899-1901) China A Chinese anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising led by the “Righteous and Harmonious Fists.” Targeted imperialist influence and missionary activity. Suppresed by Western power and Japan. Increased foreign control over China and further weakened the Qing Dynasty Resisitance to Imperialism, Nationalism, Imperialism
British Raj
(1858-1947) India Period of direct British rule over India after the fall of the Mughal Empire and suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny. Led to infrastructure development and econonmic exploitation. Also sparked nationalist movements seeking independance. Colonialism, Nationalism, Governance
Child Labor Laws
1833 US, industrial societies Regulations that aimed to protect children from exploitation in the workforce by establishing minimum age requirements, limiting hours and types of work that minors can perform. They emerged due to social reform movemennts that epathized the negative impacts of child labor on health and education. The Industrial Revolution created high demand for cheap labor which led to high employment rates of children, working in factories and mines. As those industries expanded, children were often working long hours and in dangerous working conditions. As a result of this exploitation, social reform movements were made and advocated for children’s rights and well-being. Labor systems
Chinese Exclusion Act
1882-1943 US A federal law that prophibited Chinese immigrants to the US due to racism and competition. Increased racism and fear of immigrants. Racism, politics
Colonialism/Colonization
19th century Europe colonized parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. When a country establishes control or aquires another country or territory. More resources and laborers. Social hierchies, colonization, political domination
Economic Imperialism
19th and early 20th centuries It was most prevalent in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where European powers, the U.S., and Japan exerted control over local economies. Economic imperialism refers to the domination of a weaker nation’s economy by a more powerful foreign nation, often through trade, investment, and control of resources. It is significant because it allowed imperial powers to extract wealth and resources from colonized regions, leading to economic dependency. Economic imperialism was driven by the desire for raw materials, cheap labor, and new markets. It led to the exploitation of local populations and the destruction of traditional economies, contributing to long-term underdevelopment and economic inequality in colonized nations. Economic imperialism highlights themes of exploitation, inequality, and the economic control exercised by imperial powers, as well as the lasting impacts on the economies of former colonies.
ghost dance
1889–1890 great plains, great basin and south dakota The Ghost Dance was a religious movement among Native American tribes in the late 19th century, primarily in the Great Plains, and is often associated with the Sioux people. For many Native American communities, the Ghost Dance provided a sense of hope and spiritual renewal. cultural resistance and survival, colonialism and displacement, religious and spiritual movements
Indian Removal Act
1830 U.S.A The Indian removal act allowed the President negotiate treaties with Native American tribes to relocate them from their lands east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river. The act led to forced relocation, the trail of tears, population and cultural decline. Cleansing, Racism,
Irish Potato Famine
1845-1852 Ireland A period in Ireland that led to mass starvation, diseases and emigration. Which impacted Ireland population and Economy causing over a million death. The working class of Ireland depended heavily on Potato as their food source however a diseases was spread rapidly which destroys the potato crops. Environmental Impact/Changes, Migration
Manifest Destiny
Mid 19th century The U.S. The belief that the United States was destined to expand its dominion and spread democracy across the North American continent. Fueled westward expansion, leading to conflict with Native Americans and Mexico. Imperialism and Empire Building
Maori Wars
1843-1872 New Zealand War between Maori tribes and British over land ownership, rights, and contradictory govt. policies Significant Maori land loss, dislocation, economic ruin and deepened distrust. Imperialism
Meiji Restoration
1868–1912 Japan A political revolution that restored imperial rule and led to rapid industrialization and modernization of Japan. Japan transformed into a major industrial and military power, avoiding colonization and becoming an imperialist power itself. Industrialization, Nationalism, State-building
Opium Wars
First Opium War 1839-1842 and the Second Opium War 1856-1860 China A series of conflicts between China and Western powers, primarily Britain, in the mid-19th century, over trade imbalances and the illegal opium trade. The opium wars led to the expansion of Britains Hong Kong territory growing power of western imperialism and vulnerabilities of Qing China
Qing Dynasty
1644-1912 China The last imperial dynasty of China established after overthrowing the Ming Dynsaty marked with territorial expansion , cultural exchanges and Confllicts with Western Power China under Qing ruled had experiences territorial expansion, Cultural and Economic development, and Social Sturcture. Economic Ideologies, Politocl idealogies
Sepoys
mid 1800s india under british control Sepoys were Indian soldiers hired by the British East India Company In 1857, sepoys rebelled in what became known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian Rebellion of 1857 Labor and military systems
Settler Colonies
1750-1900 Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and parts of North America, South America, Territories established by foreign powers in which a significant number of settlers migrate with the intent to permanently inhabit and cultivate the land Settler Colonies led to the enslavement of people that were seen as less. This also led to significant demographic, economic, and cultural transformations in the colonized regions Social, Political, Interaction with the Environment, Cultural, and Economic
Social Darwinism
1800s Europe A social theory that emerged in the late 19th century, asserting that human societies and cultures evolve through the same natural selection process as biological species. This ideology was often used to justify imperialism and the belief in racial superiority Social darwanism led to harmful justification, such as racism, imperialism, social inequality Laissez-faire capitalism and racism
White Man’s Burden
1899 europe “The White Man’s Burden” reflects the racist, paternalistic ideology used to justify empire-building. The rise of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries fueled a wave of imperial expansion, reshaping global power dynamics, intensifying racial ideologies, and triggering resistance in colonized regions. Imperialism Intensifies, Ideologies Justifying Imperialism, Migration, resistance movements
