Imperialism and the Rise of Colonial Rule: Factors, Effects, and the Causes of World War I

Imperialism

It is the policy of extending a country's (mother country) domination over other regions (colonies). It began to be applied on a worldwide scale in the 19th century.

Factors

• Economic and demographic factors:
  • Industrialisation: Looked for areas in which they could invest capital for a greater profit, obtain cheap raw materials, and sell their industrial products.
  • Migration: Since there weren't enough jobs for all the people, many Europeans migrated to the colonies.

The Great Powers in the Late 19th Century

Liberalism: Separation of powers, new rights, universal male suffrage, socialist parties. Authoritarian: King had absolute power, parliaments couldn't oppose the monarch's decisions, military presence, ethnic and cultural diversity, very few rights. Russian Aristocracy: Governed by the tsar (absolute power), emancipation of the serfs (1861), ethnic diversity, imposition of the Russian language. The United States: North - won against slavery. South - in favor of slavery, American civil war (1861-1865), President Abraham Lincoln (1860).

The Rise of Imperialism

Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's domination over other regions (Mother countries - acquires - colonies).

Factors

• Economic and Demographic:
  • Industrialisation: Looked for areas in which they could invest capital for a greater profit, obtain cheap raw materials, and sell their industrial products.
• Religious Factors:
  • Conversion: Converting natives to Christianity was used to justify imperialism.
• Political:
  • Strategic goals: Imperial expansion was motivated by geo-political interest.
  • Competition: They didn't want another empire to dominate a region and obtain all its profits.
  • Prestige: Colonization could make up for a humiliating defeat.
• Ideological and Scientific:
  • Racism: The white race was superior, it was their mission to "civilize" the "primitive" people.
  • Exploitation: Scientific curiosity also contributed to imperialism.

Colonial Rule

Types

• Colonies: Colonized nations lost all the power.
• Protectorates: Colonial power controlled foreign policy and trade. Natives controlled domestic policy.
• Spheres of Influence: Independent countries had to cede trade advantages to colonial powers.

Economic Exploitation

• Mother countries: Exploited colonies for their own benefit. Economy is based on plantation agriculture and mineral exploitation.
• Indigenous people: Were a source of cheap labor and lived in isolated areas.

Social and Cultural Effects

• Demography: Disastrous demographic impact (war and diseases).
• Traditional societies: Natives were considered inferior.
• Culture: Process of accumulation (adaptation from one culture to another).

The Causes of World War I

The Bismarkian Alliance System

Objectives: Isolate France and Maintain equilibrium in the Balkans.

• Dual Alliance: Austria+Germany.
• Triple Alliance: Austria+Germany+Italy.
• League of the Three Emperors: Austria+Germany+Russia.

The Armed Peace: Was formed when Wilhelm II replaced Bismark (1890-1914). European powers were divided into:

• Block 1: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.
• Block 2: France, Britain, Russia (Triple Entente).

Arms race, countries increased the size of their armies.

The Road to War

Colonialism was a source of conflict: Germany and Italy wanted to create empires. Britain and France wanted to limit their expansion. Algeciras Conference (1960): French control was confirmed. Wilhelm II was in favor of Morocco independence. Eastern question: Russia supported the Slavic countries. Austria wanted to expand along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

The Outbreak of the War