Imperialism

European History

Chapter 25: The West and the World

Introduction:

       The Western nations began to extend their influence around the world. A world economy developed as imports and exports traveled between countries and places like Japan were forced open for trading. The great migration occurred, which was a mass movement of people from Europe. New imperialism began, meaning that Europeans countries tried to create large political empires abroad, and continents like Africa were divided up by European powers. Imperialism was justified as being for the good of the natives as these inferior people were “civilized”. As nationalism became more aggressive and militaristic, the stage was beginning to be set for the First World War.

            

            Objective: To understand the role of new imperialism in the nineteenth century and the changing interactions between countries.

            Essential Question: What caused the new imperialism in the nineteenth century?

            Answer: In short, the motives for imperialism have been summed up into the phrase “Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization”. Religious arrogance plays a role as many Europeans sought to spread Christianity to these uncivilized areas because it was the superior religion. Extending a country’s empire can also have economic benefits because direct control and low tariffs served as a profit motive. Superiority through Social Darwinist and racist beliefs naturally encourages this spread of control as the Europeans believed themselves to be above those they were conquering. A prominent motive in the nineteenth century was to “civilize” the natives. Ethnocentrism, the belief in the superiority of one’s own ethnic group that therefore means they are morally obligated to teach their way of life, was the thought that Europeans used to justify their actions.

Political Cartoons (from time period):

     This imperialism cartoon appeared in August 15, 1900 issue of the literary magazine Puck. In the cartoon, animals representing different countries are battling over China (seen as a dragon). During the Age of Imperialism, Asia was a popular target for extending an empire and dividing among these foreign powers. The bear represents Russia, the lion is Britain, the rooster is France, the eagle is Germany, the two-headed eagle is Austria, Japan is the tiger and the bald eagle is the United States. The artist gives the animals a vicious look as they hold weapons, display sharp teeth, or outstretch their claws. The artist’s depiction creates the feeling that imperialism in Asia was an uncivilized and ferocious because of the animals’ harsh appearance and by comparing the countries to beasts. China appears helpless and trapped as it is sprawled out on the ground in the middle of the commotion. The bald eagle representing the United States takes a back seat to the action in Asia as it stays back from the situation but maintains a firm stance on the issue. This shows the United States position of supporting the Open Door Policy, which states that countries should have equal access to China’s ports that are open for trade. I think the use of animals in this comparison is clever for an illustration of imperialism, and the cartoon clearly displays the message of the conflict over China and the rush for stronger empires. It seems like this scramble for land became barbaric at times, which is supported in the cartoon. I believe that employing the harsh and greedy practices to expand during this time was selfish and only concentrated on the interests of the powerful countries.

     "The World's Plunderers" was created by Thomas Nast and appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1885. In the image, Germany, Britain and Russia are carving up the world with their imperialistic desires. They are each carrying a bag with which they can gather their new holdings in. Asia and Africa are the main countries that appear on the globe because they were the main areas divided up during the period of new imperialism. India is separately marked as it is observed by the British because it was the “jewel” the Britain’s colonial empire. Nast situates Europe at the top of this world, displaying the European power as it overlooks its foreign possessions. Nast is ultimately opposed to imperialism, and he makes this known through his title. He uses the word “plunderers” to describe Germany, Britain and Russia making them sound like thieves taking what is not rightfully theirs. To me this seems like an accurate description. These countries overstepped their boundaries too far and took whatever they wanted no matter the costs. I like how Nast uses the words “grab bags” to describe what the countries were holding because the word implies taking something forcefully and without permission.

Political Cartoon (current):

This political cartoon about U.S. imperialism revolves around the war in Iraq. The reasons for going to war are often debated. One reason that has been stated for going to war is because of the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, but one rumored cause is that the true reason is for oil. This artist agrees with the argument that the United States’ personal interests about oil really drove the country into war. In the cartoon, President George W. Bush is listing the things the U.S. hopes to accomplish through a war with Iraq, but the author highlights the term “oil” hidden within each statement. The artist is saying that oil is the underlying reason. Personally, I do not believe the artist’s opinion to be true. I think that the U.S. has gained little in the area of oil when it comes to Iraq. In fact, in 2009 no U.S. oil companies obtained long-term contracts during an auction for contracts that are involved in the Iraqi oil industry.

U.S. Imperialistic?:

Yes:

1.  Hawaii- President William McKinley signed a joint resolution annexing the islands in 1898, and it remained a territory until it was granted statehood in 1959.
2. Cuba- Cuba was pressured to add the Platt Amendment into their constitution in June 1901. This amendment gave the United States the power to intervene in Cuba’s internal affairs and rights to Guantanamo Bay.
3. Philippines- The Filipinos objected to American annexation of their land. They rebelled and went to war with America. After an American victory in 1901, eventual independence was promised, but the Philippines did not gain this independence until 1946.

No:

1. The United States recently gave its land around the Panama Canal back to the Panamanian government.
2. U.S. troops have retreated or their presence has been reduced in many countries where they have been based for decades. Examples of this are in Saudi Arabia, Panama, Japan, and Germany.
   2.   In situations like the Gadsden Purchase, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the Alaska Purchase, land was not just taken. Instead, compensation was given and payments were made.

U.S. Events:

American Civil War (1861-1865): The 11 Southern States in the U.S. wanted to secede from the Union for reasons like disputes over the issues of slavery, trade and tariffs, and the doctrine of states' rights. The fighting started at Fort Sumter, South Carolina in April 1861. Jefferson Davis led the Confederate (Southern) states and Abraham Lincoln led the north. Some of the major battles of the war include Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Robert E. Lee (leader of the Confederate army) surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant (leader of the Union troops) at the Appomattox Court House in April 1865.

Connection across continents: Officially, Britain and France were neutral in the American Civil War. However, there was a possibility that they would provide aid to the Confederates. When Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, this problem was solved because the war became an issue of slavery rather than secession. Britain and France could no longer recognize the Confederacy because of controversy over the war’s new issue at home.

New Immigration:  Before 1890 immigrants came primarily from Northern Europe (Britain, Ireland, and Germany). In 1890 this shifted toward “new immigration” into the U.S. that came from Southern and Eastern Europe (places like Italy, Austria, Hungry, Russia, and Asia). These immigrants came to find jobs (factories, railroads, etc.), for religious freedom and for land. The main entry point for European immigrants was Ellis Island in New York. Immigrants faced discrimination from nativities and were often grouped into ethnic communities. Most immigrants did not have money to move out of the cities, so the population of major U.S. cities near to coast greatly increased.

Connection across continents: Europe experienced its “great migration” in the nineteenth century, which is what caused the rush of new immigrants into the United States. Overpopulation was becoming an issue in Europe, so people left when they could no longer find land or many work opportunities.

Uprisings in the Colonies:

Maji Maji Uprising (1905-1907)

The Maji Maji Uprising was a two-year rebellion of Africans in Tanzania against German colonial rule. Germans forced the natives to grow cotton and build roads for European benefit.

Key Players:

Dr. Karl Peters- Founded the German Colonization Society. Peters became the Tanzanian colonial governor and was given a nickname that meant "Man with Blood on His Hands” because of the violent treatment used toward the natives.

Kinjikitile Ngwale- A prophet who claimed that sacred liquid, called Maji Maji, could repel German bullets. He became a leader of the rebellion in German East Africa.

How it happened: After resentment toward the oppressive German regime and a drought, the first African warriors moved against the Germans in 1905 by attacking small German outposts and destroying cotton crops. This revolt spread throughout the colony. At Mahenge in August 1905 several thousand Maji Maji warriors attacke, but these warriors failed to overrun the Germans.  On October 21, 1905 the Germans attacked the Ngoni people killing men, women and children. The German’s also tried to starve out the African people by destroying their crops.

Success?: An estimated 75,000 Maji Maji warriors were dead by 1907 and the uprising was ultimately unsuccessful. However, it forced Kaiser Wilhelm's government to institute reforms in their African colonies due to the potential cost of their oppressive rule.

Current Uprising:

Tunisian Revolution (also known as the Jasmine Revolution)

       

Country/Date: Tunisia, December 2010-2011(ongoing)

Key Players:

Mohamed Bouazizi- A 26-year-old fruit and vegetable vendor who set himself on fire in protest. This action helped to start the revolution in Tunisia.

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali- ruler of the country from 1987 – 2011. He and his wife, Leila Trabelsi, fled from the country on January 14, 2011.

A group of educated Tunisians- A group of Tunisians used Facebook and Twitter to organize massive protests.

Fouad Mebazaa & Moncef Marzouki- Mebazaa was the first interim president of Tunisia followed by Marzoiki, Tunisia's first democratically elected president.

How it happened: The Tunisian government was corrupt, experiencing economic issues, and offered limited freedoms to its citizens. These issues in addition to the incident with Bouazizi sparked the revolution. Massive protests and demonstrations were organized and spread across the country. After Ben Ali announced that he would not run again and promised reforms, he fled the country.

Success?: One hundred and forty seven deaths resulted from the revolution and Tunisia continues to face economic and political struggles as it attempts a transition to democracy. The form of this government is still undecided. The RCD, the party of Ben Ali’s government, was dissolved and the country had its first free election in October 2011.

“Spotlight On the Suez Canal”:

     

Who controls it: The Suez Canal is operated by the Suez Canal Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

How often it gets used: The canal supports 8% of the world's shipping traffic and almost 50 ships pass through the canal daily.

Why it is important today: This 120-mile-long canal, built in 1859-1869, dramatically reduces the transit time for trade worldwide by connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The canal is the fastest way to cross from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. 

Summary:

3 Things I Learned-

1.      Africa was divided between the European powers at an astonishing rate. In just a matter of twenty years (1880-1900), almost the entire continent had been carved up and fell victim to European imperialism.

2.      Arab Spring is a series of multiple uprising in the Middle East and Northern Africa, beginning with Tunisia. In the cases of Tunisia and Egypt, a new government is still forming and being molded into shape after the leader of the country was forced to leave.

3.      The United States was responsible for “opening” Japan when Matthew Perry used gunboat diplomacy, forcing Japan to open ports for trade.

2 Things That Interested Me-

1.      Lin Zexu’s letter to Queen Victoria about the opium trade was particularly interesting, because I think he made some convincing (even though they ultimately didn’t work) and strong points. One example that I found especially persuasive was the fact that Britain did not even allow opium within its borders, so they recognize the harm it can cause and thus it shouldn’t be allowed in China either.

2.       Rudyard Kipling is popularly known for having written The Jungle Book, but his more historically important contribution was actually his poem “The White Man’s Burden”. This poem helped to justify imperialism by saying that the Europeans should civilize the nonwhites to improve their standard of living.

1 Question I Still Have-

            What happened to the control that the Europeans held in the African continent? Is any of that power still in place today?