Post on 26-Mar-2015
Leading up to WWI
Part one: Chapters 26 & 27
Background
• After Napoleon, Europe was nervous about someone trying to take over everything and ruling the world- so they went back to the old way (for a little while).. “Conservatism”
• BUT… Liberals & Radicals (those at the bottom that wanted change) wouldn’t let go of this idea of “freedom” and “Democracy”…
• Let’s see if that happens!
• As we learned with Industrial Revolution- things were changing.. Society, the way things worked, everything…
• People started having new ideas in science & technology and one idea is SUPER SUPER SUPER important…
• It was created by…
Charles Darwin
• Who: English Naturalist• What: he challenged the idea of special
creation (that everything was created by God) with his Theory of Evolution & Natural Selection
• Where: England• When: 1859• Why: This sparked a controversial debate that
still continues today: Creation vs. Evolution
Theory of Evolution
• Who: Charles Darwin• What: A theory that all life evolved from earlier living
forms that had existed millions of years ago• Where: England, then the rest of the Western world• When: 1859• Why: This idea led to “Natural Selection” which
emphasized the ‘survival of the fittest’ where those who were the fittest, or best adapted to their environment, would survive and make offspring whereas those who were not the fittest would die out (this led to everything we are about to learn about…)
• That theory will lead to EVERYTHING else we are about to learn about…
• So, it’s a BIG BIG cause…
• The first thing it caused was “Social Darwinism” and “Racism”….
Social Darwinism• Who: Europeans• What: an idea that the Theory of Evolution
should be applied to society- those that were the “fittest” were wealthy & successful; the “weakest” were poor & not successful- aka Non-Europeans
• Where: Europe, the rest of the world• When: 1860s• Why: This led to “racism” which led to
“Imperialism” which led to the World Wars
Racism• Who: Europeans• What: the belief that one race is superior to
others• Where: Europe• When: 1800s- Now• Why: The Europeans were racist against “lesser
peoples” or the “weak” and felt they were superior; this idea led to Imperialism and many other issues like Slavery, Segregation, Apartheid, etc.
• This application of the Theory of Evolution to society and humans led to “Imperialism” aka the superior Europeans taking over!! ….......
Imperialism• Who: Europeans• What: the seizure of a country or territory by a
stronger country• Where: Africa, Asia• When: 1850-1914• Why: Stronger European countries dominated
the political, economic, and social life of weaker countries which led to Europeans trying to control the whole developing world through this.
Places the Europeans go:
• They go to developing nations, or nations that they think are “less than them”
• Example:– The whole African continent (we will talk about)– India (we will talk about) – Asia– South Pacific (Southeast Asia, Philippines, etc)
Forms of Imperialism Form What is it? Examples
Colony Country or territory is governed internally by foreign power
Somaliland- East AfricaUS Colonies- Great Britain
Protectorate Country or territory w/ it’s own internal gov’t but under the control of an outside power
Niger River Delta- GBIndia- GB
Sphere of Influence Area in which outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges
Liberia- USAHong Kong- GB
Economic Imperialism Independent but less-developed country is controlled by a private business rather than other gov’ts
Dole Fruit Co. – Pineapple trade- Hawaii
Types of ManagementIndirect Control Direct Control
Government & Institutions Local officials in chargeInstitutions: European-based, but may have local rules
Foreign officials in chargeInstitutions: ONLY European, no local laws
Self-rule Limited NONE
Goal To develop future leaders in that country
Make natives ‘assimilate’ or adopt the European culture; Paternalism- take care of them in a parental way but give them no rights!
Examples: British- Nigeria, India, BurmaUS- Pacific Islands
France- Somaliland, VietnamGermany- East AfricaPortugal- Angola
Causes of Imperialism in Africa:• 1. Belief in European superiority/ Social
Darwinism/ Survival of the fittest
• 2. Missionaries wanted to convert them to Christianity- the RIGHT religion- to rid the lesser peoples of their evil heathenistic ways
• 3. “White Man’s Burden”- it was the White man’s job or burden to “Westernize” aka “Civilize” them
Factors that made Imperializing in Africa easy:
• 1. Europeans’ technological superiority- the had better weapons than Africans’ outdated weapons (think Machine gun vs. Bow & Arrow?!?)
• 2. Easy travel to maintain control- Railroads, cables, steamships – Europeans could travel to center of Africa whereas before it was super hard.
More factors…
• 3. The drug “Quinine” had been developed and could now help protect against Malaria
• 4. Africans’ disunity- constant local wars- the Europeans played tribes against each other…
• The Europeans started competing over land in Africa- The more land = the more pwr back in Europe they had…
• The competition got super fierce… • so, to solve this, they came up with…..
The Berlin Conference• Who: European leaders• What: a meeting of leaders to lay down the rules for the
division of Africa among Europeans to keep them from going to war
• Where: Berlin, Germany• When:1884-1885• Why:
– they agreed any European country could claim land in Africa by notifying other nations & showing it could control the area
– European nations divided up the continent w/o consideration to how African groups were distributed!
– No African representative was there!! – Almost all of Africa was controlled by Europeans
• Unfair, right? • Poor, inferior, weak Africans…
• This agreement still didn’t totally 100% work because conflicts still arose, such as….
The Boer War
• Who: Boers (Dutch Settlers) vs. British• What: the first modern “total” war between the
British and the Boers- fighting over control of South Africa to get diamonds & gold
• Where: South Africa• When: 1899• Why: The Boers (Dutch) settled in S. Africa in
1600s – They discovered gold & diamonds- the British wanted it- so they fought! The British won and they still own it today!!
Effects of Imperialism in AfricaNegative Effects
• 1. Africans lost land & independence• 2. Thousands died from disease
(smallpox)• 3. Famines = starving• 4. Failed resistance movements• 5. Breakdown of traditional African
culture-> – authority figures replaced– Men moved away to work– Destruction of stable societies– = Identity probs. For Africans
• 6. Most harmful: Division of African continent– Artificial European boundaires created
probs. Still there today
Positive Effects
• 1. Reduced local warfare• 2. Humanitarian efforts
improved sanitation & provided hospitals & schools
• 3. = longer lifespans & increased literacy rates
• 4. African goods became popular in international market
• 5. Railroads, dams, & telephone/telegraph lines were built
The British in IndiaCause Effect
1. Decline of the Mughal Empire (the Islamic dynasty in charge of India) – lotsa small states break away from Mughal control = they are weakened
In 1757, The British invade & conquer India- they become the leading power until 1858.
2. Colonial policies- 1. Indian economy couldn’t operate on it’s own- Indian goods could not compete with British goods= no local producers, no self-sufficiency2. British missionaries & racist attitude = Indian life threatened3. Railroads = Indians developed a modern economy4. Sanitation & public health improved5. Schools & colleges = literacy improved6. End to local warfare
• There’s one super imp. Event that changed GB’s control of India…
• It has to do with people called “Sepoys”….
Sepoys
• Who: Indian soldiers• What: Indian soldiers in the British-led army;
resentful of British control, racism, & attempts at conversion so they revolted
• Where: India• When: 1800s• Why: The Sepoys revolted in the “Sepoy
Mutiny” which led to stricter direct control of the British on India.
Sepoy Mutiny
• Who: Sepoys vs. British• What: The Hindu & Muslim Sepoys had
dietary restrictions but were forced to deal with it – irritated them – rebelled against the British
• Where: India• When: 1857• Why: (on the “Effect” on the next slide)
Cause Effect
Sepoy Mutiny- Sepoys rebelled against British
1. Turning point: The British took DIRECT control of India
2. Fueled the racist attitudes of the British even more
3. Increased distrust between the Indians & British
4. Nationalist groups form to try and regain control of India
Overall Imperialism:Causes Effects
Nationalism- to gain power, European nations compete for colonies & trade
Colonization- Europeans control land & peoples in Asia, Africa, & Latin America
Economic Competition- Demand for raw materials & new markets spurs a search for colonies
Colonial Economies- Europeans control trade in the colonies and set up dependent cash-crop economies.
Missionary Spirit- Europeans believe they must spread their Christian teachings to the world.
Christianization- Christianity spreads to Africa, Asia, & India.