AP World Unit 6 Flashcards
Social Darwinism 6.1:
A philosophy that was based on Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest. Social Darwinism catered to white supremacy as many social Darwinists believed that the slogan “survival of the fittest” argued for the spread of European and U.S. imperialism and further proved the biological superiority of whites. Many political figures then capitalized on social Darwinism as a way to justify imperializing other nations.
Learning Objective 1: Social Darwinism contributed to imperialism because it promoted white supremacy and the colonization of other nations by predominantly white countries. Although social Darwinism was not the only reason for imperialism it was definitely one of the main factors.
Belgian Congo 6.2:
The state of Congo under Belgium, or more specifically under King Leopold’s rule, experienced the mass genocide of many Congolese people. This genocide occurred as King Leopold announced that all Congolese people who failed to tap enough sap for his supply of rubber would suffer the maiming of their children. This cruel treatment eventually led to a mass genocide of 5-13 million Congolese people.
Learning Objective 2: Power between states began to shift in 1750-1900. This shift in power began as many powerful states began to imperialize smaller, weaker nations in an attempt to exploit their natural resources. That motive along with other philosophical ideologies emerging, such as Social Darwinism, created a perfect environment for power between states to shift.
Berlin Conference 6.2:
The Berlin Conference was a meeting that was held amongst many European nations. At the meeting, European powers split up the continent of Africa into sections based purely on natural resources and borders. This led to severe conflict as many African nations were imperialized and many tribes/families were split between newly drawn borders.
Learning Objective 2: State power began to shift during the modern era as many African states were colonized by Europan powers. The imperialization of Africa began shortly after the Berlin Conference was held, thus showing that the Berlin Conference played a pivotal role in establishing Europe’s power in the modern era.
Settler Colonies 6.2:
Large groups of Europeans who would move to foreign countries to try and create spheres of influence to eventually imperialize and take control of the economy
Learning Objective 2: As more European nations began to imperialize smaller, less powerful states, many European people began to create settler colonies within those states to create European influence. This further increased the state power of European countries within smaller nations.
Suez Canal 6.2:
Allowed for a quick, efficient way to travel from Europe to Asia. This waterway connected the Mediterranean and Red seas. The waterway was completed by a French company, however, the completion of the canal came at the expense of millions of Egyptians. These Egyptian laborers were unpaid and forced to work due to taxation
Learning Objective 2: The creation of the Suez Canal further solidified the state power of many European nations as it allowed Europe to have quick efficient trade with Europe and Africa and allowed for a quick passageway to imperialize Africa.
Boxer Rebellion 6.3:
The Boxer Rebellion began as Chinese people known as “boxers” came together and began attacking Chinese Christians and western missionaries. The Emporer at the time supported the boxers and demanded that all foreigners in China be killed. However, out of the 100,000 people that died only around 500 were foreigners while the rest were Chinese Christians.
Learning Objective 3: Many traditional Chinese people who were ademnet on not industrializing and removing western influence, thus they believed that by removing western influence they would help to build their state.
Creation of Zulu Kingdom 6.3:
Definition: The Zulu Kingdom was the dominant tribe in Africa in the 19th century when European imperialism began. The Zulu’s resisted the Boers and the British, however, they eventually lost their homeland and then freedom.
Learning Objective 3: Although the Zulu people attempted to fend off the Boers and the British, the external pressure they were putting on the Zulu people resulted in the Zulu Kingdom crumbling.
Indian Rebellion of 1857 6.3:
The Indian rebellion began as many Indian soldiers within the British colonial army were forced to use rifles cartiledges that had been greased in cow and pig fat. This was problematic as a majority of Indian solders were Muslim/Hindu. In both Hindu and Muslim religions/cultures, pigs/cows are considered sacred. The Indian soldiers believed that the British were purposefully greasing their rifles in an attempt to convert them to Christianity. Due to this conspiracy, the Indian Rebellion began. Although, it was unsuccessful and many Indian people died; it ultimately led to Indian nationalism.
Learning Objective 3: The external tension between the people of India and the British government helped to build the independent nation of India as the tension between the two groups of people ultimately led to Indian independence.
Tupac Amaru ll’s Rebellion in Peru 6.3:
The rebellion of native people in Peru. They fought alongside creoles and mestizos against the Spanish government. The rebellion came to its height as the leader of the rebellion, Tupac Amaru arrested a Spanish official. The arrest led the rebellion to spread throughout northern/southern Peru and gain support. However, Amaru along with his family members was eventually arrested, tried, and executed by the Spanish.
Learning Objective 3: The external pressure from the Spanish government onto Peruvian natives and mestizos caused the Peruvian people to rebel against the Spanish in an attempt to gain independence.
Xhosa Cattle-Killing Movement 6.3:
The Xhosa people in Africa had a history of fighting with the British due to their reluctance to westernize/accept British rule. This led the Xhosa people to view the British and Europeans as a whole in a negative light. When many of the Xhosa’s cattle began to get sick from disease or other natural causes, the Xhosa believed that by killing/destroying their crops/cattle their ancestor’s spirits would protect their land and force the British to leave. However, this proved unsuccessful and was ultimately detrimental to the Xhosa people as they had no food in the future and experienced a famine.
Learning Objective 3:Due to external from Britain on the Xhosa people, the Xhosa tribe decided to make the decision to kill their cattle as a way of resisting the British rule.
Export Economy 6.4:
The growing demand for raw materials that could be changed into manufactured goods that could be easily shipped/sold allowed for the creation of export economies.
Learning Objective 4: Africa’s abundance of natural resources and raw materials allowed for the rise of export economies as export economies heavily relied on raw materials.
Economic Imperialism 6.5:
When foreign businesses have large economic influence/control in another country. This influence is likely caused by foreign businesses taking advantage of another country’s natural resources.
Learning Objective 5: Economic imperialism helped to expand the global economy by opening even more of the world up to trade/manufacturing development.
Opium Wars 6.5:
The opium wars began as the British had little success trading with China for silver, as European goods were not as desired in China. Due to China’s resistance to trade, the Europeans began to sell opium within China, a highly addictive drug. The Chinese Emporer banned the selling of opium in China but the British continued to distribute it and the Chinese continued to use it. This ultimately led to the opium wars. The British ended up winning the wars.
Learning Objective 5: The Opium wars destroyed China’s economy whereas it aided Britain’s economy. Due to opium being such a highly addictive substance, the British were able to capitalize on its desirability by selling large amounts to the Chinese people, thus increasing their economy.
Chinese and Indian Indentured Servitude 6.6:
After the abolishment of slavery, many Asian migrants were forced or tricked into indentured servitude by European powers. as many as 500,000 Chinese laborers were sent to the Caribbean, Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia to work. However, in later years the practice of indentured servitude was banned, although discrimination against Asians in Europe and America remained.
Learning Objective 6: Many Chinese and Indian migrants ended up working in the United States and Australia as the Pacific Ocean allowed for fast transportation to California and Australia.
Migrant Workers 6.7:
Definition: Workers who leave their home countries in search of work or a job. Migrant workers either worked in factories in the cities or on farms in the countryside. Many migrant workers came from Japan, China, Italy, and Lebanon. However, it was very common for migrant workers to fall into indentured servitude contracts in places like Europe and the United States.
Learning Objective 6: In places like Japan, lack of jobs was the main reason for migration, however, in other places finding any work period was a struggle so the desire to earn a salary motivated most migrant workers.
