Main Idea

Nationalism motivated European nations to compete for colonial possessions.

• European economic, military, and political power forced colonized countries to trade on European terms.

Industrially produced goods flooded colonial markets and displaced their traditional industries.

Colonized people resisted European domination and responded in diverse ways to Western influences.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy, economic, or military force.

Essential Understanding

Industrial nations in Europe needed natural resources and markets to expand their economies.

• Nations competed to control Africa and Asia to secure their economic and political success.

• Resistance to imperialism took many forms including armed conflict and intellectual movements

Forms of Imperialism

• Colonies: A Country or a region governed by a foreign power (13 Original Colonies)

• Protectorates: A country or territory with its own internal government but under the control of an outside power

• Spheres of Influence: An area in which an outside power claimed exclusive trading privilege

  • Ex. China

Imperialism in Africa and Asia

• European domination

• European conflicts carried to the colonies

• Christian missionary efforts

  • Viewed as a Justification for Imperialism

• Suez Canal: Located in Egypt

  • Opened in 1869, was of major importance to England’s Empire

• British East India Company’s domination of Indian states (Jewel in the crown)

  • “The sun never sets on the British Empire”

• United States opening of Japan to trade

  • Commodore Mathew Perry opens trade to Japan through military intimidation with Naval ships on several trips c. 1850s.

Resistance Movements:

• Sepoy Mutiny: Indian soldiers fighting for the British East India Co.

  • New British rifle was used and rumors about the cartridges being coated in pig and cow fat as a lubricant.

    • Hindus saw cows as sacred and Muslims forbidden to eat pork.

  • Rebellion was suppressed by the British and the British Government took over the colony directly

India

Rise of Nationalism (First Indian nationalist party founded in the mid-1800s)

• Indians tried to fight for independence from Britain but were unsuccessful.

China: Overview

• China was able to stay alone for so long because of its self-sufficiency.

  • It did not need to rely on others

• Since China was chopped up into European spheres of influence, American wanted in on the trading.

• They called for an Open Door Policy, which would allow everyone to trade in China freely.

Opium Wars. C 1839

• 12 million Chinese addicted to Opium being supplied by England

• This angered the Qing emperor.

  • The Chinese lost in major naval battles. Signed treaty of Nanking

• Great Britain gained Hong Kong from 1841-1997

Boxer Rebellion 1900

• Some Chinese resented foreigners' influence including the spread of Christianity.

• The Society of the Harmonious fists, aka. The Boxers, attacked EUropeans but were put down.