The Scramble for Africa and Informal Imperialism
The Legacy of Imperialism in Africa
- Before the arrival of European imperialists, boundaries in Africa were loosely defined.
- When the Europeans came in, they paid no attention to tribal bonds or rivalries, this would have a huge impact once these African nations became independent in the 20th century.
Japan and Latin America
Africa
Review of Causes of European Imperialism
African Colonization/Suez Canal
- The United States sent a naval squadron commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan in 1853.
- Commodore Perry negotiated for the better treatment of sailors who were shipwrecked. He also workd to open Japan to American trade. The Japanese willingly opened their doors to trade from America because they had seen what happened to China, and didn't want to be forced to trade.
- In Latin America, Spain had already lost most of its colonies by the late 19th century. In the 1890s, Cuba (one of Spain's remaining colonies) rebelled against Spain; the United States became involved in 1898 when a US battleship, The Maine, mysteriously exploded in a Cuban harbor.
- The US declared war on Spain, and quickly won.
- As a result, the US acquired its first colonies: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Phillipines, and Cuba (which was technically independent, but under strong US influence.
- The US also built the Panama Canal in Panama and controlled it until the end of the 20th century.
- TECHNOLOGY - Europeans had recently invented new technologies such as steamboats, rifles, telegraphs, and medicines which helped them penetrate deeper into Africa and Asia.
- ECONOMIC MOTIVES - European industry needed raw materials to keep their factories busy. Industrialists also wanted new markets (locations) in which they could sell their goods.
- POLITICAL MOTIVES - Europeans wished to acquire colonies as a way to compete with each other. Whoever had the most colonies had the most power.
- SOCIAL MOTIVES - Social Darwinism (the idea that certain races are simply superior by nature) and other racist ideas led Europeans to believe they needed to "civilize" "savage" cultures to make them more European.
- By 1870, Europeans still controlled very little territory in Africa. Between 1870 and 1890, European nations began to aggressively colonize African territory. This period is known as the scramble for Africa.
- In the early 1880s, a local revolt threatened European use of the Suez Canal. This canal was extremely important because it allowed Europeans to save a huge amount of time when trading by sea. (And time is money.)
- As a result of the revolt, the British quickly colonized Egypt in order to control the canal.
Colonial Africa
Effects of Imperialism: Positive and Negative
The Imperial Powers
The Opium Wars (1839-1842)
Negative
- European dominance led to an erosion of traditional values.
- African peoples were treated as inferior to Europeans.
- Europeans divided Africa artificially, ignoring tribal and ethnic issues, creating future conflict.
Positive
- Improved medicine and nutrition led to an explosion in population
- Modern transportation and communication was introduced.
- A very small minority received education and economic opportunities.
- In 1884 at the Berlin Conference, the European powers carved up Africa in order to take advantage of rich natural resources such as diamonds, gold, and other valuable materials.
- By 1890, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent.
- Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Italy all possessed colonies in Africa.
- King Leopold II of Belgium ruled the Congo, in central Africa, as his private estate.
- King Leopold treated natives very harshly and killed millions in his quest to increase the production of rubber.
- Britain had the largest African empire stretching from Egypt to South Africa.
- In the 1800s, Great Britain began selling opium to China in order to obtain money to buy tea.
- The Chinese government tried to stop this practice by sentencing opium dealers to death.
- In response, Britain declared war on China, and won easily (as China's technology was lacking).
- After this war, China was split up into "Spheres of Influence." These were areas of China under the economic control of foreign powers.
- After the defeat of their military, many Chinese became increasingly dissatisfied with their government, and they rebelled.
- The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900) involved Chinese citizens who had tired of foreign influence in their homeland. They were defeated with the help of foreign powers such as the United States.
"Informal" Imperialism
- INFORMAL IMPERIALISM refers to when one country dominates the economy of another country or territory even if they do not control the land and government.
- Informal Imperialism mainly refers to European influence in Asia and U.S. influence in Latin America.
- In China, Europeans faced a different situation than they had in Africa or India. China for many years had remained isolated fom the world. This left them without advanced military technology which put them at a disadvantage against Europeans.
- While China did not have advanced military technology, it did have valuable natural resources.
- This led to Europeans maintaining "informal" imperialism over China.