Imperialism in the 19th Century: Causes and Domination
Causes of Imperialism and Types of Domination
During the 19th century, much of the world was controlled by Great Britain (from East to West) and France (from North to South). The causes of imperialism were:
- Political and Strategic: A country’s power and prestige were measured by the number of colonies it controlled.
- Demographic: Europe’s population had grown significantly during the 19th century. Metropolises encouraged migration to colonies, reducing unemployment and social conflicts in the countries of origin.
- Geographic and Technical: Many explorers created societies to explore unknown areas. New means of transportation, like the Suez Canal (1869), allowed for better exploration of the world.
- Cultural and Ideological: There was a belief that the “white man” had the duty to control the world and evangelize it.
Types of Domination
- Colonies: Completely controlled and exploited by the metropolis, with no autonomy.
- Protectorate: Local authorities were respected in domestic affairs, but other matters were controlled by the metropolis. Examples include Morocco (France and Spain), Egypt (Great Britain), and Indochina (France).
- Dominions: Areas with large-scale European populations, granted autonomy but supervised by the metropolis. This was exclusive to Great Britain, in places like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
The Occupation of the Continents
Africa
In 1914, there were only two independent states in Africa: Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Liberia. France and Great Britain aimed to occupy as much as possible to create large empires. France intended to occupy from Senegal to Somalia, while Great Britain wanted to control from Egypt to Cape Town. The Berlin Conference was held to establish the principles that would regulate the future exploration, occupation, and colonization of Africa. The final result of the European empires in Africa were:
- Great Britain controlled Egypt, Sudan, and Uganda.
- France ruled over Algeria, most of Morocco, and Tunisia.
- Portugal owned Angola and Mozambique.
- King Leopold II of Belgium owned the Congo Free State.
- Germany controlled Togo and Cameroon.
- Italy ruled over Libya.
- Spain controlled Río Muni and Fernando Poo, Ifni, Río de Oro, and northern Morocco.
Asia
Great Britain occupied many Asian areas, including India, Burma, the Malay States, Borneo, Brunei, Hong Kong, Yemen, Oman, and the Pirate Coast. France created an empire in Indochina. Conflicts with Great Britain over southward expansion led to the creation of a buffer state: Afghanistan. Portugal owned East Timor and Macau. The USA colonized the Philippines after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War. Japan created an empire in East Asia, conquering Korea, Manchuria, and Formosa.
America
There were very few colonies in America after the independence of the USA and Latin American countries. Most colonies were small islands in the Caribbean Sea, controlled by Great Britain, France, the USA, and the Netherlands. The most important were Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Great Britain created a dominion in Canada.
Oceania
Most of the continent was occupied by Great Britain, including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast New Guinea, and Fiji. Other territories were controlled by Germany, such as the Mariana Islands. France occupied French Polynesia and New Caledonia. The USA controlled Hawaii.