Imperialism Flashcards
What are the causes of Imperialism?
The Industrial Revolution, Social Darwinism, Nationalism
What is Social Darwinism?
theory that strong people naturally increase their wealth and power, while weaker people are prone to being poor
“survival of the fittest”
What is the Scramble for Africa?
European powers fought over control of Africa without consulting African people; decided on who would control which parts of Africa in the Berlin Conference based on who could control which parts of Africa militarily
Describe China’s Spheres of Influence and China’s reaction.
Various European countries controlled trade in parts of China, this period in history marks the beginning of the “Century of Humiliation” where china would be continually controlled and defeated by Japan and Europe
What good did Britain finally find that they could sell to the Chinese in large quantities?
Opium
What was the Open Door Policy and which country wanted it?
Open Door Policy - Anyone (from the EU powers can trade in China)
Wanted by U.S.
What was the Meiji Era and what country did it occur in?
Japanese Emperor rises back into power after shogunate; resulted in the industrialization of Japan to help them quickly catch up to Europe; Happened in some ways because of U.S. fleet forcing Japan to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa
What was the main impact of the Meiji Restoration?
Fast industrialization of Japan; start of the Japanese empire
What were the positive and negative impacts of Imperialism?
Positive - introduction of technology, cultures being mixed and introduced (even if unwillingly), increased industrialization and trade/globalization
Negative - Destruction of culture, deaths of people from war/disease, loss of sovereignty in colonized countries
How did America triple in size in the 1800s?
Louisiana Purchase + Mexican American war added midwest and west to the U.S → went from just east coast to owning all territory up to west coast
What was the result of the Spanish American War?
Started because of yellow journalism; sinking of USS Maine; U.S. won in 4 months and gained several new territories with few losses (“Splendid Little War”)
