Imperialism Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is imperialism?
When a strong country takes over a weaker one to control its land, people, and resources.
What is social Darwinism?
The belief that stronger people or nations should rule over weaker ones, based on ‘survival of the fittest.’
What was the Berlin Conference?
A meeting in 1884 where European countries divided Africa without asking Africans.
What is a sepoy?
An Indian soldier working for the British East India Company.
What was the Sepoy Mutiny?
A rebellion in 1857 by Indian soldiers upset over British rule and disrespect for their culture.
What does ‘Raj’ refer to?
The period of direct British rule in India (1858–1947).
What were the Opium Wars?
Conflicts between Britain and China over British selling of the drug opium in China.
What are extraterritorial rights?
Foreigners living under their home country’s laws instead of the host country’s laws.
What was the Taiping Rebellion?
A massive Chinese civil war against the Qing dynasty for reforms and equality.
What is a sphere of influence?
An area where a foreign country controls trade and business without ruling it directly.
What was the Open Door Policy?
A U.S. policy that allowed all nations to trade freely in China.
What was the Boxer Rebellion?
A Chinese uprising in 1900 to drive out foreigners and stop foreign influence.
What was the Treaty of Kanagawa?
The 1854 agreement that opened Japanese ports to the U.S. after Commodore Perry’s visit.
What was the Meiji Era?
A time (starting in 1868) when Japan modernized rapidly to avoid colonization.
What was the Russo-Japanese War?
A war where Japan defeated Russia in 1904–05, proving it had become a powerful modern nation.
What is annexation?
When one country takes control of another land and adds it to its own territory.
What were the primary motivations for imperialism?
Countries wanted resources, new markets, power, to spread their beliefs, and to grow their military and navies.
What were the causes and outcomes of the Sepoy Mutiny?
British disrespected Indian religions (cartridge grease), unfair treatment of sepoys, rising anger toward British rule, Britain took direct control of India, started the British Raj, created lasting tension between Indians and British.
How was the Japanese reaction to imperialism different from other countries?
Japan modernized quickly instead of resisting. It adopted Western technology and government during the Meiji Era and became an imperial power itself.
What steps did European countries take to open up China?
Britain sold opium to force trade, China lost the Opium Wars, signed unequal treaties like the Treaty of Nanjing, foreigners gained extraterritorial rights, China was divided into spheres of influence.
What were the motivations and goals of the Berlin Conference?
European countries wanted land and resources in Africa, wanted to avoid wars with each other, divide Africa peacefully among Europeans, create rules for claiming land (you had to control it).
