Imperialism Flashcards
Causes of Imperialism
- Economic (resources, forced labor, investment)
- Political (navy bases for transporting, protect national security interests)
- Military (Seized land)
- Humanitarian (spread the ‘blessings’ of Western culture)
- Religious (spreading Christianity)
Congo
- Leopold exploited Congos vast resources (copper, rubber, and ivory); Forced labor of the native peoples, beaten and mutilated;
Imperialism
The practice, theory or attitude of maintaining or extending power over foreign nations, particularly through expansionism
Economic motivations for imperialism
- Exploitation of resources, raw materials
- Expansion of Empire
- Access to trade routes
- scramble for territories
French nationalism during imperialism
- Took a giant share of Africa, conquered Algeria, N. Africa, Mediterranean and Tunisia; West, and Central Africa as well;
King Leopold
- King of Belgium
- presenting himself as a philanthropist eager to bring the benefits of Christianity, Western civilization, and commerce to African natives
- hosted an international conference in 1876
- hired the explorer Henry Morton Stanley to be his man in Africa; traveled the Congo River basin, setting up trading posts, building roads, and persuading local chiefs to sign treaties with Leopold (Congo Free State - only private colony)
- ivory, rubber boom
- genocide
Political motivations for Imperialism
- Nationalism
- Spreading religion/ideology
Protectorate
A state that is under protection by another state in defense against aggression and other violations of law; enjoys autonomy over most of its internal affairs, while still recognizing the a more powerful sovereign state without being a possession.
Queen Victoria
the niece of King Leopold
British East India Company
- joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874
- formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region
- gained control of large parts of the Indian subcontinent and colonized parts of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong
Pros of British in India
- Modernization, railroads,
- Medical improvement
- Improvements in farming
- Degree of peace and order
- Improved communication with new tech; National unity (Indian National Congress)
- Education
- Destroyed caste system, child marriage, sati and purdah
Cons of British in India
- Widespread famine
- Peasants loss property
- Steady decline of standard of living
- Deforestation
- Cash crops cant feed pop.
- didn’t understand culture
Autocrat/autocracy
A system of government in which absolute power is held by the ruler, known as an autocrat (includes most forms of monarchy and dictatorship, while it is contrasted with democracy and feudalism)
Viceroy
The governor of a country or province who rules in the name of the sovereign with regal authority, as the king’s substitute; governed in name of the queen
Social Darwinism
- Social Darwinism is the concept that natural selection and survival of the fittest can be applied to sociology, economics and politics;
(Social Darwinists believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease)
