Unit 6 Study Guide
LEQ 1: In the period 1750-1900, some European powers suffered a decrease in influence, and new empires emerged- one in the Americas and one in Asia. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which the global balance of power shifted during that era.
Old Imperialism (17th and 18th centuries) -Europeans established coastal trade posts in Africa and Asia and large colonies in the Americas. -Spain and Portugal were leaders of this age of colonization -China and many of the trade centers in Asia were more powerful than European nations. In fact, European exploration in the 16th and 17th century was driven by a desire to find faster trade routes to Asia, and even after landing in the Americas, Europeans continued to search for the "northwest passage." -While European nations were gaining considerable power and influence, they were still unable to gain dominance in Indian Ocean trade New Imperialism (largely the 19th century) -Spain and Portugal were no longer dominant (they lost a lot of colonies in Latin America and the Napoleonic wars weakened their power globally) -China and India became less powerful in the global economy for the first time, as they were not able to industrialize and were eventually under imperial control or influence from European nations. -England, France Germany and the Netherlands (the Dutch) became bigger imperial powers in western Europe. -The United States, Russia and Japan also became imperialist nations -Industrialized nations gained wealth and power which they used to exert power over Asia, Africa and Latin America, including into the interior regions of Africa and South and Southeast Asia which had not been colonized during old imperialism. -Great Britain developed the largest colonial empire with colonies in Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia and India -The United States gained influence over large areas of Central America and the Caribbean and gained colonies in Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines (which they gained from Spain after the Spanish American War) -Japan exerted its influence over Korea and parts of China This document gives a more detailed overview of old vs. new imperialism: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KWVe6GXa7W8TzE3t_rmnCphYP8m01SnOrW8BEk2nlfk/edit?usp=sharing This document provides lots of great details to answer this question: https://www.historyhaven.com/APWH/unit%204/Rise%20of%20Western%20Dominance.htm
Basic Info on Imperialism
This information is the general background info you need to understand the topic enough to write about it and to answer multiple choice.
What are the requirements for a LEQ?
YOU MUST ANSWER THE PROMPT!! Contextualization: Provide SPECIFIC DETAILS (2-4 sentences) at the beginning of your introduction paragraph that explain a broader historical context. This information must be outside of the prompt question, and can include things that happened before the time period or in happening in a different part of the world. You must also connect this broader historical context to your thesis so that it doesn't seem random Thesis: Restate the prompt and list your answers to it (the claims that will be the focus of your body paragraphs.) Evidence: Provide details, examples and reasoning from your knowledge to support your claims. These details must be specific in order to show your knowledge of the topic. Each body paragraph should have around 3 supporting details to back up your claim. When explaining your evidence make sure you use words from the prompt to ensure that you are providing a clear argument that relates to the questions you've been asked. Historical Thinking: Organize your essay one of the following historical thinking skills -Cause and/or Effect -Continuity and/or Change -Similarities and/or Differences iIs important that you are still answering the prompt, so it is easiest to choose a skill that relates best to the prompt Use the historical thinking skill word in your claim so its clear that it is how your paragraph is organized Complexity TRADITIONAL COMPLEXITY OPTIONS: 1.Confirm the validity of an argument by corroborating multiple perspectives across themes. This basically means that you provide diverse evidence that proves your point using more than one theme (social or cultural aspects, political aspects, economic aspects, and interactions between humans and the environment) 2.Explain relevant and insightful connections within and across time periods 3. Qualify or modify an argument by considering diverse or alternative views or evidence(This can be a counter argument or modifying your argument later on using different evidence.) EASY COMPLEXITY OPTIONS In order to get this point you must ALSO get all of the evidence and historical thinking points. Therefore, it is not simply attempting one of the following but successfully achieving it. Your essay also must be substantive (a short essay won't get the easy complexity point) -Multiple causes -Cause AND effect -Continuity AND change -Similarities AND differences
What were the pros and cons of American and European imperialism in Latin America?
-Both European countries and the United States invested in Latin America by developing banks, railroads and telegraph systems. -However, European and American investment was ultimately for its own benefit and European and American businesses exerted their power and influence over Latin American governments. Companies such as the United Fruit Company used their economic power to get local governments pass laws that supported their interests. -The term "banana republics" was used to describe small Central America countries that had an economy dependent on a single export crop and were largely controlled by foreign corporations.
What were the political causes of imperialism?
-European, Americans and Japanese competed to gain more colonies and build military bases in strategic locations throughout the world, in order to gain more power than other industrialized nations -Also wanted more glory and pride as a result of growing nationalism nationalism -Many countries but most notably the French aimed to spread their culture and ideals across the globe
How did industrialization contribute to imperialism?
-Many manufactured goods required raw resources that were not native to the industrial nations in Europe such as cotton, palm oil, rubber, copper and tin. Therefore, industrialized nations sought out natural resources from other countries in order to make manufactured goods like textiles, tires, and luxury goods and to construct infrastructure projects like telegraph lines and railroads. -As manufacturing production grew, more consumers were needed to purchase manufactured goods. Industrial nations wanted to be able to exert power over colonies so that they would purchase manufactured goods from them -Industrial nations developed technology that allowed them to exert power over other nations such as weaponry (machine guns), and transportation to dominate more land and resources (steamboats and railroads) -Industrialized nations gained power and wealth that led to demand of luxury goods such as diamonds, ivory and gold. -Capitalism led to an endless desire for economic gain
What were the social/cultural ideas that motivated imperialism?
-Social Darwinism: A racial ideology disguised as "science" that was used to justify European supremacy. This theory used pseudoscience (fake science) to argue that white people were more evolved. -Rudyard Kipling's "The White Man's Burden" Argued that Europeans and Americans need to colonize in order to "civilize" people in other places -Paternalism: This idea is present in the idea of white man's burden. Colonizing countries believed they were helping colonies like a "father figure" -Europeans believed that colonization was justified because it led to the spread of Christianity.
What technology was developed to gain and maintain power over colonies?
-The machine gun was an industrial weapon that was used by Imperial nations to gain control -Europeans sometimes built telegraph lines directly from Europe to the colonies to make communication easier -Europeans also built railroads within the colonies to make transporting raw materials easier & to make it easier to travel throughout the colony to govern it and steamboats were used to ship goods to and from the colonies
What was the first Opium War?
A war between Great Britain and China, began as a conflict over the opium trade. Foreign traders (primarily British) had been illegally exporting opium mainly from India to China. The resulting widespread addiction in China was causing serious social and economic disruptions. In 1839 the Chinese government confiscated and destroyed more than 20,000 chests of opium. The British argued this was a violation of the rights of free trade. It ended with British victory and in the Treaty of Nanking the British gained access to 5 Chinese ports to foreign merchants, and 6 million dollars for the destroyed opium.
Who gained control of the colony of Congo in Africa and what occurred in this colony?
At the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, the colonial nations of Europe authorized King Leopold II of Belgium claims to the "Congo Free State" as his own personal possession. Leopold extracted a fortune and his rule was characterized by forced labour, torture, murder, kidnapping, and the amputation of the hands of Congolese people who did not meet the quota of rubber extraction. In 1908, the reports of deaths and abuse, the Belgian Government took over the administration of the Congo. The Congo Free State was thus called the Belgian Congo.
LEQ 2: In the period of 1750-1900 countries in Europe and the United States expanded their reach into Africa and Asia. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which global trade relationships changed as a result of colonialism.
Before colonialism of the 1750-1900 time period -China and India were powerful in global trade. While European nations had exerted power in Asia in the 1450-1750 time period, they had not been able to dominate trade networks that had existed for centuries. The Indian Ocean trade network was still largely dominated by local powers. -Manufactured goods such as textiles, porcelain and other luxury goods were dominated by artisans in Asia. After colonialism of the 1750-1900 time period: -Colonialism led to a major shift in global trade relationships because Europeans gain the upper hand, as they claimed colonies throughout Africa and Asia. Furthermore, even in countries that they did not officially claim as colonies, such as China, they were still able to control trade. -Europeans gain control of many important trade ports along the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. -Europeans established colonies in Africa and Asia that are export economies, producing many natural resources that were desired as luxury goods and manufacturing ingredients. Furthermore, they control markets so that they are able to dominate global trade for manufactured goods. -As a result of colonialism, Indian and Egyptian and many other manufacturers were put out of business by competition from European manufacturers. This lesson on economic imperialism has a lot of specific details that could be used to answer this prompt: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S8xsOtZJ3TFOJ-P6_DBgIHKbRr4kd5m-ymfvA9JWLWE/edit?usp=sharing
LEQ 5: In the period circa 1750-1900, Europeans and Americans established colonial empires that transformed the global economy. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which colonial economies were dependent on immigrant laborers.
Causes for the Demand for Immigrant Laborers -After the abolition of slavery which occurred in the 19th century, there was greater demand for other forms of labor on plantations in particular in the Caribbean and South America -Colonialism led to greater demand for immigrant laborers because more crops and minerals were being extracted from new colonies that developed globally, such as in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands (ex: Fiji and Hawaii.) Since imperialism was developed to benefit the colonizing country, cheap or free labor was in high demand to harvest cash crops like sugar and rubber and to mine minerals and guano. -Demand for laborers also grew as a result of industrialization in the United States because more low-wage workers were needed to work in factories. Examples of Coerced Labor used in the 19th century -indentured servitude: migrants who signed contracts to work for free for 5-7 years (in exchange for free passage, food, shelter.) In particular peasants from India (but also China, Japan, Africa, the Pacific Islands) became indentured servants on sugar and rubber plantations in the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. -Convict labor became common in the British colony of Australia and French penal colonies -The United States relied heavily on immigrant laborers as it expanded and industrialized in the 19th century. Chinese, Italian and Irish immigrants came to the United States in large numbers seeking opportunity, but often receiving low pay and harsh treatment. -Kangani system in southeast Asia was similar to indentured servitude, but entire families were recruited (often from India) and conditions were slightly less restrictive than indentured servitude In addition: Imperial countries demanded laborers but coerced laborers had their own reasons for moving to work in new places. People left their home countries due to overpopulation, famine and economic hardships. Europe and China faced large population growths, Ireland and China faced devastating famines and economic hardships largely caused by the impacts of colonialism. This link is to the slides we covered which have more details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DT-d-t5-cDIBXPHJ5CQs-lpHA1m4T2aT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109364395278734285305&rtpof=true&sd=true
Did China become a colony during the 18th century? Who exerted power over china?
China remained independent (under Qing dynasty) but grew weak and had to give in to European powers' demands as a result of several military defeats in the 19th century. The Qing government signed treaties with several countries allowing imperial nations to exert economic power over the region. Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia all claimed exclusive trading rights with specific areas of China which was considered "spheres of influence."
LEQ 3: In the period 1750-1900, industrialized states in Europe, Asia and the Americas vied for power over global trade. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which competition between industrialized powers impacted societies in Africa and Asia.
Colonialism was driven by competition between industrialized nations such as Great Britain, France and other Europe countries -European countries competed for land, resources, and economic influence by expanding their empires and gaining more colonies throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. -The "Scramble for Africa" was was the invasion and colonization of most of Africa by several Western European countries who competed and sometimes fought over their land holdings in Africa. The Berlin Conference divided up Africa among industrialized European nations, resulting in European control or influence over 90% of Africa. -China was weakened as a result of imperialism, even though it wasn't ever officially a colony of another nation. European countries, America and Japan competed to exert influence over China's economy, and eight nations gained "spheres of influence" over parts trade and access to Chinese ports. Competition between industrialized harmed societies in Africa and Asia because it caused their resources to be extracted and their land and labor repurposed for the benefit of European nations -As a result of competition, European powers all vied to establish the largest colonies and extract the most resources of value. As a result, native populations were coerced into extracting valuable raw resources that benefitted the colonizing country. These farming practices severely depleted native populations access to quality farmland and food. -Native people were also often put into abusive labor systems such as indentured servitude or slavery -The land in colonies was mostly used for the production of cash crops that benefitted the imperial nation, and this led to a shortage of food for local populations Competition between European nations sometimes led to conflict which also impacted native populations. -The Boer War resulted from conflicts between the Dutch (Boers) and British settlers. In this war the British forced the Boers (Dutch colonists) into concentration camps. In addition, many native South Africans were also forced onto concentration camps. Native South African people were fored off the land so that the Boers couldn't get supplies from them. In addition, forcing the native population off their land also enabled the British to force them into mining for gold. The conditions in the concentration camps were terrible. Food was and sanitation were lacked and tents were overcrowded. The last section on "prestige" on this website provides some additional details: https://www.historycrunch.com/causes-of-the-age-of-imperialism.html#/
What is the difference between direct and indirect rule?
Direct rule over colonies did exist in many colonies throughout Africa and Asia. The French, Belgians, Germans and Portuguese used direct rule frequently. However, the British used indirect rule in many of its colonies. Direct Rule: Foreign officials brought in to rule directly Government institutions are based on European styles Indirect Rule: Local (native) government officials used in lower level positions of government Goal to develop future leaders loyal to colonial power & save money by paying local administrators less
What is economic imperialism? What were some common practices of economic imperialism in the 1750-1900 time period?
Economic Imperialism is a policy of exerting power and influence over the economy of another country/colony Imperial countries controlled trade relationships with their colonies by: -Requiring or coercing a colony to produce of cash crops and natural resources such as minerals that were desired by the imperial country -Selling manufactured goods back to a colony, and pushing local manufacturers out of business so they can't compete with the imperial country -Requiring colonies to use land and labor for the interest of the imperial nation and not for their own needs
What were some ways power was maintained in colonies?
Education & Culture as a tool for power: -Europeans built schools to educate the native people in a Western (European) style, making them learn Christianity & learn European languages -Education of people in colonies was used to portray colonization as a good thing, as well as to train local people so they could become colonial administrators. Education was also used as a way to spread ideologies of imperialism such as social darwinism in an effort to make local populations more submissive. Capitalism as a tool for power: Local populations were forced to pay taxes to colonial government. In order to pay taxes local people had to get money, thus requiring them to work for a wage for the imperial country's companies. These companies paid workers low wages. In some colonies, such as the Dutch East Indies, local populations were required to provide land or labor on plantations as a form of tax Colonial governments exerted power in different ways: -Some countries governed colonies through direct rule (such as the French) while other countries (such as the British) commonly used indirect rule. While these methods were different, they both were viewed as effective power structures to maintain control over colonies
LEQ 6: In the period circa 1750-1900, many people from European and Asian countries left their home countries and settled in new areas of the globe. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which immigrant laborers impacted the societies where they settled.
Ethnic Enclaves: When migrants moved to new areas, they created ethnic enclaves as members or similar communities clustered into specific regions inside and outside urban areas. Entire areas became known for the immigrants that lived within them. Examples of the effects ethnic enclaves remain today throughout cities worldwide with communities name "china town" or "little Italy." Examples of Impact on Culture -Chinese migrants brought Buddhist and Taoist religious beliefs to the areas they migrated. -South Asian migrants brought Hinduism and Islam to areas of the Caribbean and West Africa as well as traditional cuisines such as curries -Italian migrants spread Roman Catholicism into the predominantly protestant United States. Italian food became one of the most popular cuisines in North America, Brazil, and Argentina. Along with Italians, the Irish helped expand Catholicism into the United States. Irish immigrants also spread cultural celebrations such as St Patricks Day Impact on Economies: - Chinese migrants that settled United States helped build the Trans-Continental Railroad. They also worked in gold mines during the California gold rush and opened businesses. Many Chinese migrants also migrated to the Caribbean and South America where they helped build railroads, mine guano and worked on plantations. In southeast Asia many Chinese migrants became business owners, merchants and held positions in colonial governments -Italian and Irish immigrants worked in many factories in the United States during the industrial revolution. Irish workers also helped to develop American mining and railroads. Many Italian immigrants also settled in Argentina where they became farmers -Indian migrants were often indentured servants in Africa and helped build railways. In southeast Asia they worked on tea, coffee and rubber plantations. Large numbers of Indian migrants also worked on sugar plantations in the Caribbean and south America (please review your notes on the effects of immigration for more specific details)
LEQ 4: In the period circa 1750-1900, the expansion of European imperialism around the world led non-European states and societies to resist European territorial expansion and/or economic interference. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which European imperialism in Afro-Eurasia led to active resistance by indigenous societies during this period
European Imperialism in Afro-Eurasia led to many large rebellions as well as examples of more subtle resistance: -Several new and powerful states in Africa fought against European encroachment into their territory and often won in many early stages of these conflicts (even in cases where their weaponry was less advanced such as the Zulu.) The Zulu in South Africa and the the Sokoto Caliphate in western Africa were two powerful states that resisted European imperialism this presentation has more information on state resistance: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dsIGC5JgaAoLtO0ywZVdO12j3x08hnKIthu3wkUJV6M/edit?usp=sharing -In Asia there were several rebellions against European imperialism, including large rebellions such as the Boxer rebellion in China and the Indian rebellion of 1857 by sepoy soldiers. (review your notes on resistance on google classroom for more specific details.) -In southeast Asia rebellions against imperialism often took a more subtle or indirect form where people defied European rules and taxes and often relocated to avoid being counted for labor or tax purposes. -There were several rebellions in western Africa including Yaa Asantewaa Rebellion and Samori Toures War and in northeastern Africa in the Mahdist War (review your notes on resistance on google classroom for more specific details.) -religion was often associated with resistance to imperialism. The Xhosa cattle killing movement was inspired by a religious prophesy (like the Ghost Dance in the United States.) Also the causes of rebellions were often due to differences between the religion of local populations versus the imperial power. Sometimes religious conflicts among indigenous populations complicated resistance movements.
Why was the construction of the Suez Canal important to European imperialists?
European nations fought over control of the Suez Canal in Egypt, as it was a strategic waterway that provided a shorter water route from Europe to Asia. Previously, ships would have to travel the entire way around Africa to get to Asia. The canal remained under the control of the French via the Suez Canal Company for the first number of years. However, it changed to Britain when it took over Egypt in 1882. The Suez Canal was a driving force for Great Britain's desires to control Egypt because the Suez Canal would allow for faster travel to India, which was considered "the crown jewel" of the British Empire
What is imperialism? What is colonialism?
Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence over others through diplomacy or military force Colonialism the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it, and exploiting it economically
What were settler colonies and what were some examples?
Settler colonies sought to replace the local native population with their own people -Australia & New Zealand were British colonies where the British people sent criminals to try to displace the local aboriginal & Maori populations. South Africa was also a British settler colony. -US expanded westward (Manifest Destiny) and passed laws to displace the Native American population -Russia expanded into Central Asia and Eastern Europe
What was the Berlin Conference?
The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) marked the climax of the European competition for territory in Africa, a process commonly known as the "Scramble for Africa." Prior to the Conference European nations started to claim areas in Africa for natural resources and a potential market for their manufactured goods. At the conference many European imperial countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, and King Leopold II of Belgium negotiated their claims to African territory, which were then formalized and mapped. The Conference did not allow people of Africa any say in the partitioning of their homelands.
Who/What initially colonized India and why was it so important to them?
The British East Indian Company gained control of a large area in India for its trade benefits. India was important for a few major reasons: -It was important to Indian Ocean trade route -Opium was grown in India which was sold to China -It produced a lot of cotton for British textile manufacturers and also was a market for the sale of manufactured textiles (the British drove the Indian manufacturers out of business through their lower prices) However, after the Indian rebellion of 1857, the British government took over direct control of India.
