European Imperialism Flashcards
What were the responses to European imperialism?
There were many different Asian and African responses to European imperialism and colonial rule. The
Westernisation of Japan, the destruction of China’s two thousand years of dynastic rule and the differing
class experiences in India and Indonesia show the variety of Asian responses to European imperialism.
European Trade:
The Industrial Revolution found new uses for raw materials and tapped new sources of wealth. Rubber
from Africa and timber from Asia were purchased for low prices and sold at great profit in Europe.
Africa and Asia had remained relatively distant from European civilisation until the development of steam
driven warships, machine guns and telegraph communication systems.
Extent of European imperial expansion:
The French had territorial possessions in North Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacifi c. The
Netherlands had the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), and the Belgians controlled a large area of the
Congo in Central Africa. Portugal, Italy, Germany and Turkey controlled smaller empires through
Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Reasons for European imperial expansion:
the Europeans were motivated by:
* economics — the Industrial Revolution created a huge demand for new supplies and markets to
sell their manufactured goods.
* nationalism — the sense of nationhood and great pride in national achievements had become very
strong in Europe during the nineteenth century. Possession of colonies began to be seen as a sign of
national strength and prestige.
* security — control of overseas territory provided the Europeans with strategic advantages over their
European rivals.
Impact of European rule:
Europeans believed in the superiority of their own Western civilisation and maintained a social distance
between themselves and the colonised people.
beneficial effects of colonialism.
* Law and order was established in European
empires to facilitate trade and industry.
* Industrial development from the construction
of roads, railways, communications systems,
irrigation works, improved agricultural methods
and factories increased the production levels
and opportunities for many groups of colonial
people.
* Increased food production techniques and
European medicine increased average life
expectancy, particularly within Asia.
* Infanticide, thuggee, suttee and other brutal
traditional practices were suppressed by colonial
rule.
* Education and training of colonial people was
increasingly encouraged at the beginning of the
twentieth century.
Responses to European rule:
Imperialism was resisted by many native people who resented the interference of Europeans in their traditions, beliefs and social organisation. Africans and Asians who spoke out against colonial power were often branded as ‘nationalists’ and were frequently thrown into prison for attempting to question European control.
