Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Definition of Imperialism

Imperialism is when a nation extends its control over another country's government and economy. The conquering country is the mother country, and the acquired territories are the colonies.

During the Early Modern Period, Britain, Spain, and Portugal were already colonial powers.

"New Imperialism" began in the mid-19th century, led by Britain and France. The USA, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Japan joined later.

Factors of Imperialism

• Economic: Industrialization increased the demand for natural resources and places to trade manufactured goods (capitalism).
• Religious: Converting native people to Christianity was used as a justification for imperialism.
• Political:
  1. Nationalism: The prestige of possessing colonies increased nationalist sentiment.
  2. Competition: Imperial powers competed to prevent others from dominating regions.
• Ideological: Racism, exemplified by "The White Man's Burden," suggested that whites had a moral obligation to civilize the "savages" in the Global South.

Types of Colonial Rule

• Direct Rule: The colony is controlled by a foreign central authority. For example, Britain sent its own people to rule India.
• Indirect Rule: The imperial power exploits existing power structures in the colony to rule (using local leaders). A "protectorate" is an example of indirect rule.
• Spheres of Influence: Independent countries are forced to give up trade advantages to an imperial power. For example, China.

The Great Colonial Empires

The British Empire

The British Empire was the largest empire in the world:

• Led by Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
• Queen Victoria called India the "jewel in the crown of the British Empire" because of its value.
• Britain took control of the Suez Canal to secure the route to India.
• Conquered the surrounding territories in Asia to secure India.
• In Africa, Britain conquered Eastern Africa along the Nile and most of Southern Africa.
• Also possessed Canada and most of Oceania.

The French Empire

The French Empire was the second largest in the 19th century:

• Conquered Algeria and Tunisia in the 1830s.
• Created a protectorate in Morocco.
• Conquered territories in central and western Africa.
• Conquered Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia).

Italy and Germany

Italy and Germany joined the colonial race late:

• Italy acquired Libya, Somalia, and Eritrea.
• Germany acquired German East Africa (Tanzania), German South-West Africa (Namibia), and Cameroon.

Belgium

• Belgium controlled The Congo from 1908.

USA

• The USA defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898. They acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, and later, Cuba.

The Berlin Conference (1884)

• A meeting between the imperial powers to resolve their imperialistic disputes.
• Seen as the beginning of the "Scramble for Africa."
• Imperial powers divided up the African continent at the Berlin Conference.