Week 5, Monday: Imperialism II Flashcards
- In what ways did the British try to fight slavery? Why did the British abolish slavery?
British Efforts to Fight Slavery
Abolitionist Movement: The British abolitionist movement gained momentum in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, led by activists such as William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, and Granville Sharp. They organized campaigns, public lectures, and petitions to raise awareness about the atrocities of slavery.
Legislation: The British Parliament passed several laws aimed at curbing the slave trade, including:
The Slave Trade Act of 1807, which made it illegal to engage in the slave trade within the British Empire.
The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire, freeing over 800,000 enslaved people.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Abolitionists used pamphlets, books, and illustrations to depict the brutal realities of slavery, aiming to sway public opinion against the practice. The image of the chained slave became a powerful symbol of the movement.
Boycotts and Economic Pressure: Groups like the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade encouraged boycotts of sugar produced by enslaved labor in the West Indies. This economic pressure aimed to demonstrate the moral imperative of ending slavery.
Reasons for the Abolition of Slavery
Moral and Ethical Considerations: Growing awareness of the inhumanity of slavery and its moral implications played a significant role. Religious groups, particularly the Quakers, viewed slavery as a sin that needed to be eradicated.
Economic Factors: The Industrial Revolution shifted economic interests. Britain began to focus on wage labor in factories rather than reliance on slave labor. The increasing profitability of free labor over enslaved labor made abolition economically attractive.
Slave Resistance and Revolts: Enslaved people’s resistance and uprisings (e.g., the Haitian Revolution) highlighted the untenability of slavery. These events created fear among slave owners and demonstrated that enslaved people were unwilling to accept their conditions passively.
Political Pressure and Reform Movements: The abolitionist movement exerted significant political pressure on the British government. The persistent activism, petitions, and public campaigns created a political climate conducive to reform.
In summary, the combination of moral, economic, and political factors, along with persistent activism, ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in Britain and its colonies.
- What was the impact of the Islamic revival on the African continent?
The Islamic revival had a significant impact on the African continent, particularly from the late 18th century into the 20th century. Here are some key effects:
- Religious Transformation:
Spread of Islam: The revival led to a resurgence of Islamic practices, teachings, and the establishment of new religious movements across West, East, and North Africa.
Reformist Movements: Various reformist leaders, such as Usman dan Fodio in the Fulani Jihad and al-Hajj Umar Tall in Senegal, sought to purify Islam, eliminate syncretism, and promote a return to orthodox practices. - Political Changes:
Formation of Islamic States: The revival contributed to the establishment of Islamic states and empires, such as the Sokoto Caliphate in Nigeria, which was founded on the principles of Islamic governance.
Resistance to Colonialism: The revival often fueled resistance against colonial powers, with Islamic leaders mobilizing communities against foreign rule, seeing it as a threat to Islamic integrity and social order. - Social and Economic Impact:
Education: Islamic education became more widespread, leading to the establishment of schools (madrasas) that focused on religious studies and literacy, helping to improve literacy rates in some regions.
Trade Networks: Islamic revivalism reinvigorated trade networks across the Sahara and along the Swahili Coast, facilitating economic exchanges and cultural interactions. - Cultural Revival:
Literature and Scholarship: The revival stimulated a renaissance of Islamic scholarship, producing significant literary works, theological writings, and historical accounts that enriched African intellectual traditions.
Cultural Identity: The revival helped forge a sense of Islamic identity among various ethnic groups, promoting unity and solidarity through shared religious beliefs and practices. - Inter-Ethnic Relations:
New Alliances: The revival facilitated alliances between different ethnic groups based on shared religious beliefs, impacting local power dynamics and social structures.
Conflicts and Tensions: Conversely, it sometimes intensified conflicts between Muslim and non-Muslim communities or among different Islamic sects, as competing interpretations of Islam emerged.
- What is the scramble for Africa? What was agreed at the Berlin Conference (1884-
1885)? What were the most important imperialist powers?
The Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa refers to the rapid and intense period of European colonization and partition of the African continent during the late 19th century, particularly from the 1880s to the early 1900s. Driven by industrialization, economic interests, and a desire for geopolitical dominance, European powers sought to acquire territories in Africa, often disregarding existing social, political, and cultural structures.
The Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
The Berlin Conference, convened by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany, was a pivotal event in the Scramble for Africa. Key agreements made at the conference included:
Partitioning Africa: The conference established guidelines for the colonization of Africa, leading to the division of the continent among European powers without regard for indigenous populations or existing borders.
Effective Occupation: Powers were required to demonstrate “effective occupation” of territories to claim them. This principle encouraged nations to establish formal control over lands and populations.
Free Trade: The conference promoted free trade in the Congo Basin, ensuring that no single power would monopolize trade routes and resources.
End of Slave Trade: The participating nations agreed to take measures to suppress the slave trade, though exploitation and forced labor continued in various forms.
Important Imperialist Powers
The most significant imperialist powers involved in the Scramble for Africa included:
Britain: Acquired vast territories, including Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, and much of East Africa.
France: Expanded its empire significantly, controlling large regions in West and North Africa, including Algeria and Senegal.
Germany: Joined the scramble later, acquiring territories in Southwest Africa (Namibia), East Africa (Tanzania), and Cameroon.
Belgium: King Leopold II personally controlled the Congo Free State, notorious for its brutal exploitation of resources and people.
Italy: Sought to establish a presence in North Africa, notably in Libya and parts of the Horn of Africa.
Portugal: Retained control of territories in Angola and Mozambique, though its influence waned compared to other powers.
- In what way did the development of South Africa diverge from the rest of sub-Saharan
Africa? Discuss the relations between the main three parties in South Africa in the age of
imperialism.
Divergence of South Africa from Sub-Saharan Africa
The development of South Africa diverged from much of sub-Saharan Africa due to several key factors:
Colonial Settlement: Unlike many regions in sub-Saharan Africa that experienced indirect colonial rule, South Africa underwent extensive settlement by European colonizers, primarily the Dutch and later the British. This led to significant land dispossession and the establishment of a settler economy.
Economic Development: South Africa developed a more diversified economy earlier than many other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) fueled industrialization and attracted significant foreign investment, contributing to urbanization and infrastructure development.
Complex Racial Dynamics: South Africa’s colonial legacy created a unique racial hierarchy that profoundly influenced its social and political landscape, leading to institutionalized racism and segregation long before apartheid was formally established.
Relations Between the Main Three Parties in South Africa
British Colonial Authorities:
Role: The British sought to consolidate control over the region and expand their influence, particularly after the discovery of mineral wealth. Their policies aimed to integrate the various colonies and bolster British interests.
Relations: The British often conflicted with both the Afrikaners and indigenous groups over land rights, labor, and governance. Tensions escalated into conflicts, such as the Anglo-Zulu War (1879) and the Anglo-Boer Wars (1880-1881 and 1899-1902).
Afrikaners (Boers):
Role: Descendants of Dutch settlers, the Afrikaners established independent Boer republics (the Transvaal and the Orange Free State) and viewed British expansionism as a direct threat to their autonomy and way of life.
Relations: Afrikaners resisted British control and often united against perceived threats. Their desire for independence led to the Boer Wars, which ultimately ended with British victory but sowed seeds for future racial divisions and conflict.
Indigenous African Groups:
Role: Indigenous populations, including the Xhosa, Zulu, and Sotho, faced increasing encroachment on their lands and resources due to European colonization and settlement. They sought to maintain their sovereignty and cultural identity.
Relations: Indigenous groups engaged in various forms of resistance against both British and Afrikaner expansion. The relationships were complex, as some groups allied with either the British or Afrikaners against common enemies, while others resisted both.
- What is the Tanzimat? Why was it launched, and why did these “regulations” fail?
The Tanzimat: Overview and Significance
Definition: The Tanzimat (1830s-1870s) was a series of reforms in the Ottoman Empire aimed at modernization and preservation in response to decline and external pressures.
Reasons for Launching the Tanzimat
Decline of the Empire: Facing territorial losses and internal strife, the empire sought to modernize to maintain its integrity.
European Pressure: European powers urged the Ottomans to reform for better trade and governance.
Nationalism: Rising nationalist sentiments among various ethnic groups prompted the need for a more inclusive state.
Key Reforms
Legal Changes: Introduced new legal codes promoting equality before the law.
Administrative Centralization: Reduced local authority to strengthen the central government.
Military Modernization: Updated military practices through conscription and European techniques.
Reasons for Failure
Lack of Support: Traditional elites opposed reforms, seeing them as threats to their power.
Inconsistent Implementation: Reforms were unevenly executed, leading to limited effectiveness.
Nationalist Backlash: Reforms intensified nationalist feelings, leading to demands for autonomy.
Economic Challenges: Economic reforms struggled against entrenched interests, resulting in fiscal difficulties.
- How did Egypt try to modernize? What was the role of Muhammed Ali? Why was Egypt
occupied by the British in 1882?
Egypt’s Modernization Efforts
Modernization Initiatives:
Agricultural Reforms: Introduction of cash crops like cotton to boost exports and modernize agriculture.
Industrialization: Development of textile factories and infrastructure, including railways and telegraphs, to facilitate trade and communication.
Education Reforms: Establishment of schools and institutions to train a skilled workforce in various fields, including military and administration.
Role of Muhammad Ali:
Leader of Reform: As the Ottoman governor of Egypt (1805-1848), Muhammad Ali is known as the “Father of Modern Egypt.” He initiated comprehensive reforms to strengthen the state and reduce foreign dependence.
Military Modernization: He built a modern army and navy, adopting European military techniques.
Economic Transformation: Focused on creating a self-sufficient economy through state control of industries and agriculture.
Reasons for British Occupation (1882):
Debt Crisis: Egypt faced severe financial difficulties due to overborrowing for modernization projects, leading to a loss of control over its economy.
Strategic Interests: The British sought to secure the Suez Canal, crucial for trade routes to India and Asia.
Political Instability: The growing unrest and the weakening of the Egyptian government prompted British intervention to stabilize the region and protect their interests.
- How large was the economic gap between the industrializing regions and the nonindustrialized or Third World regions in 1914? Describe the debate on the causes. What is
Hanks’s view? What is your view?
Economic Gap by 1914
By 1914, the economic divide between industrialized regions (Europe and North America) and non-industrialized or Third World regions was significant. Industrialized nations had advanced technologies, higher productivity, and greater wealth, while non-industrialized areas experienced stagnation and relied heavily on agriculture and raw material exports.
Debate on Causes
Key Causes:
Historical Context: Early industrialization in Europe created a cycle of wealth that non-industrialized regions couldn’t replicate.
Colonial Exploitation: European powers extracted resources, hindering local development.
Political Factors: Poor governance and instability impeded economic progress.
Cultural Attitudes: Some argue that cultural factors influenced economic outcomes.
Hanks’s View
Hanks suggests that the industrial revolution created structural divides, with colonialism exacerbating disparities by exploiting Global South resources, preventing their development.
