27.2 World History

Assimilation

1) the adoption of a conqueror's culture by a conquered people 2) a policy in which a nation forces or encourages a subject people to adopt its institutions and customs

Paternalism

A policy of treating subject people as if they were children, providing for their needs but not giving them rights

Why were African resistance movements usually unsuccessful?

African resistance movements usually unsuccessful because of the Europeans' superior arms. The contest between African states and European powers was never equal.

How was the policy of paternalism like Social Darwinism?

Because they believed Europeans had the right and the duty to bring the results of their progress to other countries, so they governed people in a parental way by providing for their needs but not giving them the rights and brought in their own bureaucrats and did not train local people in European methods of governing

Why would the French and Russians sell arms to Ethiopia?

French and Russians sold arms to Ethiopia, because they don't want Italy to bring Ethiopia into their sphere of influences.

Menelik II

He became emperor of Ethiopia in 1889. He successfully played Italians, French, and British against each other, all of whom were striving to bring Ethiopia into their spheres of influence. In the meantime, he built up a large arsenal of modern weapons purchased from France and Russia.

Do you think the positive effects of imperialism outweighed the negative impact? Why or why not?

I think the positive effects of imperialism outweighed the negative impact. Although many people died from disease, lost their land and independence, breaking down of their traditional cultures and division of the African continent, still the positive effects are more useful and efficient in now days. If they didn't provided hospitals and school, they might have trouble with disease and education in present days. If they didn't expand their economic, they would not be able to maintain the country.

What idea is the policy of assimilation based on?

That policy was based on the idea that in time, the local populations would adopt French culture and become like the French.

How did colonial rule cause a breakdown in traditional African culture?

Traditional authority figures were replaced. Homes and property were transferred with little regard to their importance to the people. Men were forced to leave villages to find ways to support themselves and their families. Contempt for the traditional culture and admiration of European life undermined stable societies and casue identity problems for Africans.

Do you think Europeans could have conquered Africa if the Industrial Revolution had never occurred? Explain your answer.

Yes, the Europeans could have conquered Africa even if the Industrial Revolution had never occurred. Guns and other weapons had already been invented, and the Europeans were far more advanced than the Africans were at this point in time.