Unit 6 Most Important Concepts Flashcards
Q: What is imperialism?
A: A policy of extending a country’s power through colonization, military force, or other means.
Q: What motivated 19th-century imperialism?
A: Economic interests (raw materials, markets), nationalism, racism, and the desire to “civilize” others (White Man’s Burden).
Q: What was Social Darwinism?
A: The application of “survival of the fittest” to justify imperial domination and racial hierarchies.
Q: Which regions did European powers colonize in the 19th century?
A: Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
Q: What was the Berlin Conference (1884–1885)?
A: A meeting of European powers to divide Africa without African input.
Q: How did imperialism affect Africa?
A: Loss of sovereignty, economic exploitation, cultural disruption, and new borders ignoring ethnic groups.
Q: What was the British Raj?
A: The period of direct British rule over India from 1858 to 1947.
Q: What triggered the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857?
A: Indian soldiers rebelled against British disrespect for cultural/religious practices.
Q: How did imperialism affect local economies?
A: Shifted economies to export cash crops, often causing famine and dependency.
Q: What are examples of cash crops in colonies?
A: Cotton, rubber, palm oil, tea, coffee, and sugar.
Q: What role did companies like the British East India Company play in imperialism?
A: They acted as agents of empire, controlling trade and governing territories before official colonization.
Q: What were settler colonies?
A: Colonies where large numbers of Europeans settled permanently (e.g., Australia, South Africa, Algeria).
Q: How did imperialism affect labor systems?
A: Increase in indentured servitude, convict labor, and use of local labor for colonial projects.
Q: What is an example of resistance to imperialism?
A: Zulu resistance (South Africa), Ashanti Wars (West Africa), and the Mahdist Revolt (Sudan).
Q: What was the Meiji Restoration (1868)?
A: A period of rapid modernization and industrialization in Japan to resist Western imperialism.
Q: What was the “Scramble for Africa”?
A: Rapid colonization of Africa by European powers in the late 19th century.
Q: What were cultural consequences of imperialism?
A: Missionary activity, language spread, education systems, and suppression of local customs.
Q: What were economic motives behind imperialism?
A: Need for raw materials, markets for manufactured goods, and investment opportunities.
Q: What was the role of railroads and steamships in imperialism?
A: Facilitated transport of goods and troops, enabling deeper control of colonies.
Q: What is the significance of diaspora communities during this period?
A: Migrant workers (Chinese, Indian, Irish) created ethnic enclaves and influenced culture in new regions.
