Imperialism - Leleua Loupe

Chapter 21

THE HIGH TIDE OF IMPERIALISM

The Spread of Colonial Rule • Q: What were the causes of the new imperialism of the nineteenth century, and how did it differ from European expansion in earlier periods?

Motives for Colonialism • Economic – Raw materials • Oil, tin, rubber

– New markets • Needed to absorb manufactured goods

Imperialism • Process of western economic expansion in Asia and Africa • efforts of western capitalist states to seize markets, cheap raw materials, and lucrative avenues for investment

Voices of Imperialism • John A Hobson, Imperialism: A Study in 1902, – modern imperialism was a direct consequence of the modern industrial economy – wealth, national status, and political power went hand in hand with possession of a colonial empire.

Voices of Imperialism • French politician, Jules Ferry, 1885 – expressed the relationship between colonialism and national survival: • a policy of containment or abstinence would set France on the broad road to decadence and initiate its decline into a 3rd or 4th rate power.

– theory of Social Darwinism • in the struggle between nations only the fit will survive.

Voices of Imperialism • British professor of Math, Karl Pearson – “the path of progress is strewn with the wrecks of nation; traces are everywhere to be seen of the [slaughtered remains] of inferior races….yet these dead people are, in very truth, the stepping stones on which mankind has arisen to the higher intellectual and deeper emotional life of today.”

Voices of Imperialism • Moral Arguments – Promote Christianity – Build a better world.

• Cecil Rhodes, – purpose was to extend the British empire on “which the sun never set.”

Colonial Rivalry • Colonial rivalry – scramble to acquire new territories in Asia and Africa, primary motive, economic – Africa • British engaged in a struggle with rivals to protect their interests in the Suez canal and Red Sea

– Southeast Asia • US seized the Philippines from Spain and to keep them from the Japanese

– Indochina • The French took over in competition with Germany, Japan or the US would usurp that territory

Scramble Complete • By 1900 all societies of Africa and Asia were under full colonial rule or on the verge of collapse as was the case with China and the Ottoman empire. • Exceptions: – Japan, East Asia, Thailand, Afghanistan, Persia, Ethiopia in East Africa.

The Colonial System • Q: What types of administrative systems d the various colonial powers establish in their colonies, and how did these systems reflect the general philosophy of colonialism?

Indirect Rule • Cooperating with local elites – Purchased loyalty – Economic rewards for cooperation – Confirming them in positions of authority and status in an new colonial setting. • In parts of Africa and Indian subcontinent, • the Malay peninsula – Countries that were most effective in resisting included those who had along tradition of national cohesion and independence: » Burma, Vietnam, African Muslim states such as Nigeria and Morocco.

Direct Rule • Directly imposed or replaced indigenous government, institutions – Re-organized social, political, economic and often, gender relationships • Response to resistance efforts • Policies designed to eradicate source of resistance • Destroy sources of tradition

Philosophy of Colonialism • “Might makes it right” – pseudoscientific validation from the concept of Social Darwinism

• “White mans burden” – Moral justification: • bringing the benefits of western democracy, capitalism, and Christianity to the tradition-ridden societies of Africa and Asia, – (civilizing mission)

Association • The French adopted the terms association & assimilation: • Association: – implied collaboration with the local elites while leaving local traditions alone

Assimilation • Assimilation – Implies an effort to transform colonial societies in the western image • French approached colonization both ways

India Under the British Raj • Q: What were some of the major consequences of British rule in India, and how did they affect the Indian peoples?

British India, 1800 • Empire of the Muhgals colonized – British sought to consolidate their control over Indian and expand into the interior – Direct Rule • East India company • Later by the British crown

– Indirect Rule • through their local Maharajas and rajas.

The East Indian Co. Resident and His Puppet

•company’s resident dominating a procession in Tanjore in 1825, while the Indian ruler, Sarabhoji, follows like an obedient shadow © Art Media, Victoria and Albert Museum, London/HIP/The Image Works

Colonial Reforms Benefits • British government brought order and stability to a society rent by civil war and • Benefits – Increase in access to education • Girls had some increase access – wifely duties,

– Sati outlawed of Sati – widows allowed to remarry legally – new infrastructure of railroads and telegraph, postal service, health and sanitation improved.

Costs of Colonialism • High price for stability • Economic costs: hardship to the majority of millions of people – Introduction of British textiles put thousands of Bengali women out of work and severely damaged the local textile industry

Costs of Colonialism • British introduced the Zamindar system: – To facilitate the collection of agricultural taxes and create a new landed gentry who could become the conservative foundation of British rule. • local gentry increased the tax burden on peasants and forced many to become tenants or lose their land entirely. – Rebellion led to new legislation protecting farmers from eviction and unreasonable rent increases as a concession

India Under British Rule, 1805–1931 •This map shows the different forms of rule that the British applied in India under their control.

The Cost of Colonialism • Economic costs – Limited industrialization, • remiss in bringing the benefits of modern science and technology

• Psychological impact: – British arrogance, contempt and discrimination • cut deeply into the pride of many Indians, especially those of high caste

Colonial regimes in SE Asia • Q: Which western countries were most active in seeking colonial possessions in Southeast Asia, and what were their motives in doing so?

Colonial Regimes in Southeast Asia • 1800 only two societies were under colonial rule – Spanish Philippines – Dutch East Indies

• 1900 the entire area colonized by the west

The Effects of Dutch Colonialism in Java •Dutch administration buildings in Batavia © William J. Duiker

Singapore and Malaya

•“Opportunity in the Orient” •1819 Stamford Raffles founded British colony in Singapore •Strategic shipping port in the region

Government Hill in Singapore

•Strait of Malacca, an important commercial seaport in Asia. © British Library/HIP/Art Resource, NY

Colonial Southeast Asia •British Burma •Malacca •French Vietnam •Laos •Cambodia •American Philippines

The Nature of Colonial Rule • Administration and Education – Slow to adopt democratic institutions • Albert Sarraut advised patience in in awaiting the full benefits colonial policy – I will treat you like my younger brothers, but do not forget that I am the older brother. I will slowly give you the dignity of humanity

– Slow to adopt educational reforms • French officials in Vietnam voiced opposition to expanding education – Educating the natives meant not “one coolie less but one rebel more

Cultural Influences— East and West

© Archives Charmet/The Bridgeman Art Library

The Nature of Colonial Rule • Economic Development – Exploitation of raw materials • • • •

Burma: Teakwood Malaya: Rubber and Tin East Indies: spices, tea, coffee, palm oil Philippines: sugar, copra (coconut flesh)

– Limited industrialization • Industrialization to meet needs of European elite and local elites • Most industrial and commercial establishments, banking, & trade, owned and managed by Europeans

The Nature of Colonial Rule • Colonialism and the Countryside – Majority of people agrarian • Subsistence agriculture

• Plantation agriculture – European Rubber & Tea Plantations – Workers “Shanghaied” • English term , practice of recruiting laborers, often from the docks and streets of Shanghai: use of force, drugs or alcohol

The Production of Rubber • European Cash Crop of Asia

•Slave wages.

© William J. Duiker

The Production of Rubber •.latex sheets

© William J. Duiker

Empire Building in Africa • Q: What factors were behind the “Scramble for Africa” and what impact did it have on the continent?

18thC Africa • 18th C interest limited to the coast and the slave trade – Indirect rule or influence through African rulers and merchant intermediaries

• Factors that limited expansion – Disease • malaria

– Political instability – Lack of transportation

Domestic Slaves, Zanzibar, 1890 •Slave trade in decline: growing outrage among humanitarians in European countries over human trafficking & increase in price coupled with decrease in © Bojan Brecelj/CORBIS demand

Decline of Slave Trade • Dutch ceased the trafficking by1795, Danes in 1803, • Britain & America declared it illegal in 1808 – By 1815 only Portugal and Spain were legally active. – By the 1880s the institution was abolished in all major countries in the world. • It was finally abolished in America by 1863 and in Cuba and brazil 17 years later

•

Empire Building in Africa Informal Empire • The Growing European Presence in • West Africa – Emergence of European educated elite class of Africans who were then employed by Europeans – Christianizing – African social splits – Tensions with African government

– British: Gold Coast, Sierra Leone – America: Liberia – French: Senegal River near Cape Verde • Peanut plantations

Imperialist Shadow over the Nile • Historical interest in building a canal between the Mediterranean and Red Sea – Turks, 16th C – King Louis of France, 17th C – Napolean,1798 toppled the Mamluk regime in Cairo – British restored the Mamluk Muhammad Ali, Ottoman officer seized control for 30 years – Ferdinand de Lesseps,1854, signed a contract to have the canal completed by 1869

The Suez Canal

• French Egypt – Project indebted the government – Dependent on foreign aid – Revolt against foreign influence led Britain to step in and protect its investments (1875 shares) – Established an informal protectorate until WWI

The Opening of the Suez Canal, 1869

•Continues to be Egypt’s greatest revenue producer © Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz/Art Resource, NY

British Control of Egypt & Sudan • Great Britain’s interest in region strategic – Suez Canal shortened distance between Europe & Asia • Designed by a French engineer & built by an international company • Opened in 1869

• Far flung empire & trading network, Britain had the greatest interest in its control – 1875 Britain acquired control when the ruler of Egypt sold his shares in the company to British government to avoid bankruptcy – 1882 British advisors supervised all important Egyptian government offices & became real rulers of the country • Technically or nominally remained a province of the Ottoman Empire

Suez Canal, 1869 • Canal opened • Europeans directly controlled only a scattering of outposts – African Coast – Algeria – North Africa – Southern Tip of Africa

Sudan • Egypt claimed authority over Sudan • Sudan controlled the water supply of the Nile River – Sudanese resented Egyptian control – Revolted in 1883 under the Mahdi (Rightly Guided One) the leader of the Nationalist movement – 1896 – 1898 General Sir Herbert Kitchener undertook recon quest of Sudan

French Conquest & Settlement of Northwest Africa • 1830 – 1869 France conquered Algeria – Used as a base for further advances into the Sahara – 1881 Made Tunisia a protectorate (in spite of Italy’s claim) – Expanded west into Morocco

French Empire • Encouraged re-settlement, unlike Britain in Egypt – Algeria – French dispossessed people of best land – 1911 population 5.6 million, 752,000 were European – Tunisia 130,000 Europeans • Friction between wealthy white minority & Arab Majority • Muslims treated like a conquered people

White Privilege • French settlers or Colons had representation in the legislature in metropolitan France • Muslims had no representation – The Arab must accept the fate of the conquered, he must either become assimilated to our civilization or disappear. European civilization can have no sympathy for the life of a savage

1912 • Several European nations had completed partitioning of Africa • Incorporated territories into their Empire • Only two states remained independent postpartition – Liberia • Settled by former slaves of America • Remained economically dependent on U.S. companies – Firestone

– Ethiopia • Had successfully repelled Italy’s attempt to conquer it in 1896

The Partition – Science & Technological advance • Science and technology allowed for partition – Quinine (bark of Cinchona tree) defended against malaria – Dutch & British empires began producing it in significant quantities to allow citizens to colonize

Industrial development • Demand for raw materials from Africa & elsewhere increased • Improvements in shipping reduced transportation costs, • Steamships, telegraphs, railways, superior guns, military equipment facilitated European intervention & control • European mentality, economic system & morality – the desire & justification to conquer other peoples was present

Belgium • King Leopold II, 1876 – “I want my share of this wonderful African cake”

• Organized private commercial organization to exploit resources of Congo basin – Established the Congo Free State – Exploitation of land and people of Congo justified accusations that modern tropical colonization by Europeans was motivated by economic greed • International outcry against repressive policies forced him to appoint a Commission of inquiry in 1904

Commission of Inquiry, 1904 • Found enslavement & brutality of people for extraction of rubber • 1908 Belgium government replaced King’s regime with less exploitative one

The Scramble for Africa © Snarky/Art Resource, NY

Berlin West African Conference 1884-1885 • European colonial powers agreed on “first come, first served” as basic rule for dividing Africa • Justified it as a civilizing mission • 1884 scramble intensified – Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany – 1871-1900 Britain added 4.3 million miles of territory & 66 million by acquiring its African Empire

Serving the White Ruler •African workers carry British officers across a mangrove swamp in Central Africa. Two porters in the rear bring the liquor.

© Mary Evans Picture Library/The Image Works

Resistance • invasion disrupted to traditional life ways, political, socio-economic systems • 25 conflicts with Europeans before WWI – Key resisters • • • •

Ethiopia Ashanti in present day Ghana Followers of the Mahdi in Sudan Zulus in Southern Africa – All lost in the end with exception of Ethiopia who skillfully used modern weapons they purchased

South Africa • 17th C Dutch Colonists began settling among the San & Khoi (hunt/gath) & the Bantu speaking peoples who engaged in herding & agriculture • Zulu – Forged people into a fighting nation that defeated and subjugated other tribes and fought white colonists in several Zulu wars – Although eventually defeated – Bantu people moved into Southern Africa – Black Majority and white minority = racial caste system

Rise & Fall of Boer Republics • 19th C attracted white colonists – Climate, soil, gold & diamonds – Great Britain acquired the Dutch Colony at the Cape of Good Hope in 1815 – Inherited Dutch colonists of the land – The Boers or Farmers • Resented British rule and law ending slavery in 1833 – Forced them to free their slaves

The Sunday Battle •To escape British control, Boers made a mass migration called the Great Trek into the interior of Africa between 1835 & 1841

© Mary Evans Picture Library/Everett Collection

•. Boer’s established 2 independence republics: Orange Free State and Transvaal •British established Natal in Cape Province

Struggle over resources (Gold) • 1899 Anglo-Boer War – – – –

Guerilla tactics Scorched earth policy Concentration camps 1902 Boers surrendered

– Union of South Africa • Two Boer Colonies federated with British colonies of Natal and Cape in 1909 • Established white supremacy, denied suffrage to black majority

Rhodesia • Orange Free state – previously had been called Great Zimbabwe, an African State – Cecil Rhodes made a fortune in diamond mining in South Africa and carved out two new colonies for Great Britain – To be governed by Rhode’s South African Company • Northern Rhodesia • Southern Rhodesia

1890s • Rhode’s South African Company – Army won Portuguese acquiescence in the British takeover of that area – Defeat of Matabele & Mashona tribes • Resentful of exploitation of land and labor • 1897 fighting ended • Sponsored British immigration – 5% of population European

Impact • Many suffered • Especially where Europeans re-settled or extracted resources – Tribes were split under different jurisdictions – Previous hostile tribes were grouped under a single administration • Kenya & Rhodesia – 100,000s lost land, forced to live on inferior lands as native reserves or become tenants & laborers on new white owned lands

Indirect Impacts • Slavery abolished in Britain in 1808 • continued to enslave Africans enslaved for public works and mineral extraction – Imposed through violence

Christian Missionaries • Missionary teacher and preacher more likely than colonial administrator to be in contact with more remote peoples – “Bush Schools” – Western Education & Religion expanded

• Islam remained dominant – Majority of Algerians, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Northern Sudan resisted conversion

Revere the conquering heroes: Establishing British rule in Africa

© Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

New African Leadership Anti-colonial movements • Educated – Wanted to seize new opportunities created by colonialism – Began to develop anti-colonial movements

• Prior to WWI, demanded African Christian Churches be placed under black African leadership • New African independent states be established based on modern democratic principles

Revolts in North Africa • Nationalist Political movements – Morocco • Rif Rebellion led by Krim Brothers • Brutally crushed by French and Spanish forces

– Algeria – Libya • Italians bombed rebellion

– Tunisia • French crushed movements in early 1900s

Africa in 1914 •.

Cultural Influences—East and West © Werner Forman/Art Resource, NY

Royal Palace at Bangkok © William J. Duiker

Gateway to India © William J. Duiker