Euro Review Imperialism

Cecil Rhodes

A firm believer in British rights across Africa. He successfully helped Britain gain control of South Africa and Rhodesia (named after him). Lived from 1853-1902.

Opium War

England's successful efforts to force China to allow the sale of opium in China, beginning in 1839. China's imperial government opposed the sale, but England's forces were too strong. England's colony, India, was a major source of opium and needed markets for the supply it produced.

Fashoda Incident

In 1898 England and France almost came to war over Fashoda, located in Sudan. The area was of no economic or political importance. This incident illustrated the dangers of imperialism, in that European nations were willing to fight over useless territory.

Extraterritoriality

The right given to foreigners to live using their own laws rather than the laws of the nation in which they reside. Europeans and Americans in the nineteenth century often demanded and received this privilege

Taiping Rebellion

This rebellion attempted to overthrow the Qing dynasty in China. Hong Xiuquan, who claimed relations to Jesus, led it. It was defeated in 1864 after intervention by European nations.

Indirect Rule

Policy of controlling colonies by using local rulers to run day-to-day affairs of the colonies. Indirect rule allowed local officials to keep power as long as they operated under orders from the "mother" nation.