Unit 5: New Imperialism during the Long 19th Century
The French Revolution embroiled Europe in nearly two decades of military conflict. At the 1815 Treaty of Vienna, war weary European monarchies resolved to settle their political differences and jointly suppress further outbreaks of revolutionary violence. After 1815, Europe entered an era of relative peace and prosperity that lasted until World War I. Many historians refer to this period of time from the French Revolution to World War I as the "Long 19th Century".
During the Long 19th Century, England, France, Germany and other European states used their military and industrial strength to seize territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Ocean and subjugate native peoples living in these territories. European leaders viewed overseas colonies as an important signifier of international power and competed with each other to control larger and larger territories across the globe. Colonies also provided natural resources for, and consumed manufactured goods produced by, imperial nations and served as locations for investment by powerful industrialists in each country. Imperialists viewed native people in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific as primitive and uncivilized and justified racial and ethnic oppression on the grounds that they were engaged in a "civilizing mission". These racist attitudes shaped how Europeans dealt with colonial populations throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In this unit, we will examine how European nations staked out claims to colonies throughout the world and imposed new technologies and economic systems on colonial possessions. We will also explore the consequences of colonization for European and colonial populations and evaluate the impact of colonial rebellions and anti-colonial movements during the 19th century.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 10 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- compare and contrast how European imperialism affected the states and peoples of Asia, Africa, and the Americas in the 19th century;
- evaluate the impact of colonial rebellions and anti-colonial movements in the 19th century; and
- assess the political, social, economic, and cultural legacies European colonialism.
5.1: The New Imperialism
Read Chapter 33 on pages 681–750, which covers the 19th century (1801–1900). We will examine the impact of European colonization efforts and trade networks on peoples of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Read chapter XIII (pages 440–467), XIV (pages 468–497), XV (pages 498–539), and XVI (pages 540–580).
Read this article.
In this lecture, Kathleen Burk explores the conflict between the two expanding empires of Great Britain and Russia.
5.2: Impact of Imperialism
5.2.1: Racism and Social Control
In this lecture from 1900, British professor of mathematics Karl Pearson justifies European colonization on racial grounds. Pearson argues that white Europeans are genetically superior to native peoples and will eventually establish dominance over every part of the globe.
5.2.2: Destruction of Native Cultures
Read this article.
Read this article. Dadabhai Naoroji (1825–1917), also known as the "Grand Old Man of India", was an Indian politician and writer. Naoroji was a mentor to Gokhale and Gandhi.
5.2.3: Imposition of European Ideas and Values
Read this article, which discusses Western imperialism in the 19th century.
5.3: Imperialism and Modernization
Read these notes on European imperialism.
Read this article.
Read this article.
Read this article.
Read this article.
5.4: Resistance to Imperialism
5.4.1: China: Opium Wars
Read this article.
5.4.2: China: Taiping and Boxer Rebellions
Read this article.
Read this article.
5.4.3: Sepoy Rebellion-India
Read this article.
Read this article.
5.4.4: Western Anti-Imperialist Movements
Organized shortly after the end of the Spanish American War in 1899, the Anti-Imperialist League opposed American occupation of Cuba and the Philippines. The League's political platform claims that the "forcible subjugation of any people" is un-American and unjust, and it argues that native populations should be able to govern themselves without interference by outside governments.
Unit 5 Assessment
Review the Chapter 24 outline, and then take the multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer quiz. Unfortunately, the original provider for this quiz has rearranged the site in such a way that Submit Answers for Grading button does not work and no longer indicates the correct answers. This quiz should be fairly straightforward and easy for students with a good understanding of the course materials. Therefore, you should use this quiz as a self-assessment of how comfortable you feel with the material before you move forward.