Why, And With What Effects, Did Nations Gain And Expand Their Overseas Empires In The Nineteenth Century?
Overview
In 1870 most of Africa was still ruled by Africans. Within thirty years almost the entire continent had been carved up among a handful of European powers, its borders drawn by diplomats around a table in Berlin who had never set foot on the land they were dividing. This 'Scramble for Africa', and the wider rush for empire in Asia and the Pacific, transformed the lives of millions. Why did industrial nations suddenly want overseas colonies so badly, and what did their rule mean for the peoples they conquered?
This lesson sets out the mixed motives behind nineteenth-century imperialism, economic, strategic, political and cultural, and then examines its very different effects: the French in Senegal, the British in Nigeria, the horrors of Leopold II's Congo, the 1857 uprising in India, and the United States' acquisition of former Spanish colonies after 1898. By the end you will be able to weigh the motives against one another and judge how varied the impact of empire really was.
Objectives
- What were the motives behind European and US imperialism?
- How varied were the impacts of European imperialism on Africans?
- Why, and with what effects, did Indians resist British rule?
- Why, and with what effects, did the United States gain former Spanish colonies?
- Reasons for imperialism: economic, military, geopolitical, religious and cultural motives
- Europeans in Africa: case studies of French, British and Belgian imperialism, and their impacts on Africans: - the French model of assimilation and direct rule; Faidherbe and Senegal - the British model of indirect rule; Lugard and Nigeria - the Belgians and private imperialism; Leopold II and the Congo
- The British in India: the events of 1857 and the changes they brought to British rule
- Wars of independence in the Philippines and Cuba, the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Paris: - the debate in the USA over US imperialism - the Philippines; consequences of American control on the Filipinos - American intervention in Cuba to 1906
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Why, And With What Effects, Did Nations Gain And Expand Their Overseas Empires In The Nineteenth Century?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- At which conference did European powers agree rules for claiming African territory? A. The Congress of Vienna B. The Berlin Conference C. The Treaty of Paris D. The Congress of Berlin (1878) Answer: B
- Which European ruler controlled the Congo Free State as his personal property? A. Bismarck B. Faidherbe C. Lugard D. Leopold II Answer: D
- The British policy of governing through existing local rulers was called: A. Assimilation B. Indirect rule C. Direct rule D. Annexation Answer: B
- In which year did a major uprising against British rule break out in India? A. 1848 B. 1857 C. 1884 D. 1898 Answer: B
- By the Treaty of Paris of 1898, the United States gained control of the Philippines, Guam and: A. Cuba B. Mexico C. Puerto Rico D. Hawaii Answer: C
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