The Age of Imperialism Flashcards
Were King Leopold II’s imperialistic intentions valid?
No, he did not perform his primary purpose, instead he exploited Africans for economic gain in Belgium.
How did European technology advance imperialism?
It gave Europeans weapons and transportation.
What was the purpose of the Berlin conference?
The purpose of the conference was to set laws for the division of Africa.
How was the struggle for land in the Boer War different from other takeovers?
This war was between two European nations, which is unusual.
Why did the Europeans control such a small portion of Africa in the 1800s?
They took control of such a small portion because they didn’t have much interest in Africa yet. They didn’t know about the gold in their soil yet.
What were some of the internal factors that contributed to imperialism in Africa?
Some internal factors that contributed to imperialism were that the Africans wanted land from each other.
Why did the Boers and the British fight over southern Africa?
The Boers and British fought because they found out about the gold in the soil.
What can you infer about the European’s attitude toward Africans from the Berlin conference?
They saw themselves as culturally advanced and civilized.
Why do you think Africans weren’t interested in buying European products?
They weren’t interested in buying their products because they believed that they were better.
imperialism
a policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially
racism
the belief that one race is superior to others
Social Darwinism
the application of Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution and “survival of the fittest” to human societies - particularly as justification for imperialist expansion.
Berlin Conference
a meeting in 1884-1885 at which representatives of European nations agreed upon rules for the European colonization of Africa.
Shaka
founder of the Zulu Empire; he reorganized the army and introduced new fighting tactics; he subdued neighboring peoples, consolidating an empire that encompassed most of southern Africa.
Boer
a Dutch colonist in South Africa.
Boer War
a conflict, lasting from 1899-1902, in which the Boers and the British fought for control over territory in south Africa
Were there differences between direct control and indirect control of the colonies in Africa?
Yes, direct control didn’t allow colonies to self-rule and maintain local rules, indirect control did.
Which forms of imperialistic control did Britain use in Nigeria?
Colony, economic imperialism, and protectorate.
Why do you think that Ethiopia was the only African country to resist European imperialism?
Ethiopia had a very strong leader, who built up arms and put European nations against each other.
Why were African resistance movements, such as those carried out by the Ashanti, usually unsuccessful?
They were usually unsuccessful because the Europeans had better weapons.
How did colonial rule cause a breakdown in traditional African culture?
Traditional authority was replaced, and society was undermined by contempt for traditional culture.
How was the policy of paternalism like Social Darwinism?
It’s similar because the British thought the Africans were unfit to rule a country, and that only Europeans could.
paternalism
a policy of treating subject people as if they were children, providing for their needs but not giving them rights.
assimilation
a policy in which a nation forces or encourages a subject people to adopt its institutions and customs.
Menelik II
emperor of Ethiopia after 1889; he gained Ethiopian independence from Italy in 1896.
How did the Young Turks unite people against the Ottoman sultan and consolidate their power?
They encouraged the nationalists’ feelings so they would support a new state.
How did the Crimean War help lead to the decline of the Ottoman Empire?
It led to the decline because it revealed the empire’s military weakness.
What two effects did raising cotton have on Egyptian agriculture?
It brought Egyptians into the international market, and it reduced the production of crops.
Why did al-Afghani set up a tobacco boycott?
Since he was upset at the Persian ruler selling a concession to the British, he set up a tobacco boycott.
Why did Great Britain want to control the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal was constructed in 1869 allowing faster sea transport to India, which increased Britain’s long-standing strategic interest in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Why did the Persian people oppose their ruler’s policy of selling concessions to Europe?
The Persians opposed the policy of selling business concessions to Europeans because they were against Western influence spreading in their country and foreigners gaining control over Persia’s resources.
How were the reactions of African and Muslim rulers to imperialism similar? How were they different?
They both resisted European efforts to colonize. Muslims tried to modernize first, while many Africans did not and were forced to give up their lands.
What does the quotation in the History in Depth feature suggest about Joseph Chamberlain’s view of British imperialism in Africa?
Joseph Chamberlain liked that Britain was taking over Egypt and therefore thought it would be best if he took over Africa too.
geopolitics
a foreign policy based on a consideration of the strategic locations or products of other lands.
Crimean War
a conflict, lasting from 1853-1856, in which the Ottoman Empire, with the aid of Britain and France, halted Russian expansion in the region of the Black Sea.
Suez Canal
a human-made waterway, which was opened in 1869, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
On which continents were Indian goods being traded?
Asia and Europe
In what ways did the Sepoy Mutiny change the political climate of India?
A lot of India was under British rule and there was distrust between the Indians and the British.
Why didn’t Indians unite against the British in the Sepoy Mutiny?
The Indians could not unite against the British due to weak leadership and serious splits between Hindus and Muslims.
What form did British rule take under the Raj?
British power changed hands from the East India Company or private enterprise to the British government taking direct command of India by sending British troops into India.
How did economic imperialism lead to India becoming a British colony?
The British East India Company had its own army but was unable to regain control during the Sepoy Mutiny. This opened the way for Britain to step in, seize control, and claim India as a colony.
How did imperialism contribute to unity and growth of nationalism in India?
Hindus and Muslims united in hating British rule, all Indians resented job discrimination, lower pay, and condescension.
sepoy
an Indian soldier serving under British command.
“Jewel in the crown”
the British colony of India - so called because of its importance in the British Empire, both as a supplier of raw materials and as a market for British trade goods.
Sepoy Mutiny
an 1857 rebellion of Hindu and Muslim soldiers against the British in India
raj
the British-controlled portions of India in the years 1757-1947
