6 Flashcards
(26 cards)
What was Old Imperialism?
Old Imperialism (15th-18th centuries) involved European countries establishing trade routes and colonies primarily in the Americas and coastal Africa and Asia, focusing on mercantilism and exploiting resources.
What was New Imperialism?
New Imperialism (19th-20th centuries) was characterized by European powers aggressively expanding their territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, motivated by industrial needs, nationalism, and a belief in racial superiority.
What is the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and Imperialism?
The Industrial Revolution created a demand for raw materials and new markets, which drove European countries to colonize regions rich in resources and establish markets for manufactured goods.
What were the five reasons Europe colonized other regions of the world?
- Economic interests (access to raw materials and markets).
- Political/military motives (power and strategic control).
- Nationalism (competition and prestige).
- Cultural superiority (spread of Western civilization).
- Religious motives (missionary efforts).
What was Social Darwinism, and how did it justify European imperialism in the 1800s?
Social Darwinism applied Darwin’s ideas of ‘survival of the fittest’ to human societies, suggesting Europeans were superior and justified in dominating ‘weaker’ races to civilize them.
Which country, because of its strong central government, kept Western Europe out of its affairs and wasn’t colonized?
Japan avoided colonization by modernizing and adopting Western practices during the Meiji Restoration.
What African nations successfully blocked European colonialism, and why?
Ethiopia defeated Italy at the Battle of Adwa (1896) due to a strong military and modernized weapons. Liberia remained independent because of its status as a colony for freed African Americans supported by the U.S.
What Muslim empire ruled the Middle East in the 1850s but weakened due to internal divisions, making it vulnerable to European imperialism?
The Ottoman Empire ruled but weakened due to ethnic and religious tensions, economic problems, and pressure from European powers.
Why was Europe interested in the Middle East by 1900?
Europe sought control of the Middle East for its strategic location, access to trade routes, and oil resources.
Why did the British want to control the Suez Canal?
The British wanted control to ensure faster access to India and other colonies, reducing travel time between Europe and Asia.
What European power colonized India?
Great Britain colonized India.
Why did Britain colonize India?
India was rich in resources, provided a large market for British goods, and had strategic importance for the British Empire.
What are the two major religions in India?
Hinduism and Islam.
Define nationalism and explain how it caused colonies to revolt against European rulers.
Nationalism is pride in one’s country or culture. It caused revolts as colonized people sought independence and self-determination, rejecting foreign rule.
How was the Sepoy Mutiny a turning point in Indian history?
The Sepoy Mutiny (1857-1858) marked the end of East India Company rule, leading to direct British control of India under the Crown.
In what war did the United States defeat Spain and take possession of the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico?
The Spanish-American War (1898).
Who led the movement for independence from the Americans in the Philippines?
Emilio Aguinaldo.
What European power colonized Vietnam/French Indochina and was expelled in the 1950s?
France colonized Vietnam and was expelled after the First Indochina War, culminating in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954).
What were the Opium Wars?
The Opium Wars (1839-42, 1856-60) were conflicts between Britain and China over British trade in opium and China’s sovereignty.
What did the British gain from the Treaty of Nanjing?
The Treaty of Nanjing (1842) gave Britain control of Hong Kong, opened ports to British trade, and granted extraterritorial rights.
What was the Boxer Rebellion?
The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was an anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising in China aimed at expelling foreign influence.
What Asian country was building an empire, and what areas did it colonize in the early 1900s?
Japan built an empire, colonizing Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China and the Pacific.
What happened at the Berlin Conference, and why was it unfair to Africans?
The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) divided Africa among European powers without African input, ignoring cultural and ethnic boundaries.
Why did the United States want control over the Philippine and Hawaiian Islands?
The U.S. wanted them for strategic military bases, economic benefits, and access to Asia-Pacific trade routes.
