European Dominance: Industrialization and Imperialism
Dominant Europe
The Second Industrial Revolution led to a division between industrialized and non-industrialized countries, with Europe imposing its economic model, ideals, and culture on much of the planet.
Between 1873-1890, industrialized Europe faced an economic crisis due to agricultural issues and overproduction. Innovation, restructuring, and market expansion helped overcome the crisis, leading to protectionist policies and the search for new markets and resources in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Economic Causes of Imperialism
- Establish export markets for industrial production.
- Obtain cheap raw materials, energy, and food.
- Utilize low-wage, unskilled labor.
- Invest capital in colonies for financial gain.
Infrastructure was built in these territories to facilitate trade.
Political and Population Policies
- Increase political power through colonial rule.
- Control trade routes and strategic military points.
- Address demographic boom by settling new territories.
Ideological Causes
- Scientific interest: expeditions and exploration.
- Belief in the superiority of the white race (racism).
- European paternalism: the duty to civilize “inferior peoples.”
- Justification through evangelization by the Church.
From Colonialism to Imperialism
Imperialism expanded beyond the Americas to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Former colonies were settlement areas, while new colonies were controlled by a European minority for economic and political gain. Imperialism led to numerous conflicts.
The Dismemberment of Africa
- British project: north-south connection (Cairo-Cape Town).
- French project: east-west expansion.
- Belgian exploration of Congo.
- German installation in Central Africa.
The Berlin Conference established conditions for territorial claims.
- Portugal: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea.
- Italy and Spain: smaller territories.
Conflicts included the Boer War and the Fashoda Incident.
The Occupation of Asia
- British colonization: India, Burma.
- French colonization: Indochina.
- Russian expansion into Siberia, conflict with Britain over Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet.
- Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905).
China faced the Opium Wars and an assault by European countries and Japan, leading to nationalist reactions and the end of the empire.
Oceania: British in Australia and New Zealand, Dutch in Indonesia.
The Rule of the U.S.
Economic growth and ideological factors like Social Darwinism and the Monroe Doctrine drove U.S. expansion into the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Pacific. The U.S. intervened in countries’ internal affairs to protect its economic interests, exemplified by the war against Spain in 1898.
The Japanese Expansion
Japan underwent economic modernization and became an imperialist power, expanding into the Pacific for resources and to protect its interests in Korea and Manchuria. Victories in wars against China and Russia solidified its control.
Colonial Administration
- Exploitation colonies: focused on resource extraction.
- Settlement colonies: significant European population.
Types of government included colonies, protectorates, dominions, and mandates.
Impact on Colonized Peoples
Economic: Land expropriation, shift to plantation agriculture.
Demographic: Reduced mortality due to vaccines and hygiene, but forced labor led to population decline in some areas.
Social: Disruption of traditional social structures, forced military service.
Cultural: Destruction of indigenous culture, imposition of European culture, language, and religion.