Unit 7: 19th Century Imperialism

AFRICA
“White Man’s Burden” moral responsibility of the white men in Africa
to “barbarians” in regards to religion,
health/sanitation, economic development and
education

Quinine drug used to treat malaria – shows fear of

spread of malaria as well as development in
medicine

Muhammad Ali officer in Ottoman Empire, established a

separate Egyptian state – introduced reforms to
bring Egypt into modern world; modernized
army, public school system, small industries,
new products manufactured

Suez Canal connected Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea so

that Egypt could more easily transport goods
(though immediate benefits were limited due to
construction costs)– completed in 1869, Great
Britain took interest

Stanley and Livingstone David Livingstone, an explorer, disappeared in

Africa- Henry Stanley was a journalist who
found him, and after Livingstone’s death,
Stanley continued his explorations, set up
Belgian settlements in Congo (as directed by
King Leopold II)

King Leopold II King of Belgium, driving force behind

colonization in Africa, ended up with territory
south of Congo River (as France got northern)

Zulus the local people of South Africa who clashed w/

the British invaders, land taken from them by
British and Boers

Great Trek the movement of Boers, relocating eastward

because the British were too lenient towards the
natives of Africa

Boer War British v. Boers… British burned Boer crops,

put them in detention camps
 Unit 7: 19th Century Imperialism

INDIA
Sepoys Indian soldiers of British East India Company

Sepoy Mutiny rebellion of sepoys because of distrust of British

– very violent, many losses for both sides,
British decided to transfer power and directly
control India

Viceroy representatives throughout India to carry out

British orders

British East India Company trading company with power (given by the
British) to be actively involved in India’s
political and military affairs

Raj Dominion or rule, especially the British rule

over India

India National Congress group of Indians preferring reforms to

revolution, wanted to represent all of India but
mainly were wealthier, English-speaking
Hindus- goal was to seek independence for all
classes (still split over religious differences)

Rabindranath Tagore writer, life mission to promote Indian pride,

wrote about conflicting feelings towards British,
wanted ‘world peace’

CHINA
Opium Wars English sold opium to China, an addictive
poison – caused many deaths, exerted English
control over China because of high demand,
opened trade and gave English great economical
advantage – British sent in force

Extraterritoriality the practice of Europeans living in China but

subject to their own laws, not Chinese

Self-strengthening Chinese adoption of Western technology while

still keeping Confucian values and institutions

Spheres of influence imposing European beliefs and technology in

China to spread culture
 Unit 7: 19th Century Imperialism

Open Door Policy forced agreement between China and other

major states to allow trade – beneficial to
United States and other trading countries, didn’t
end spheres of influence but reduced
tariffs/quotas on foreign imports that were
controlled by sphere of influence countries

Boxer Rebellion domestic explosion- The Boxers wanted

foreigners out of China to end economic
problems and foreign influences, went
throughout countryside and slaughtered foreign
missionaries and Chinese Christians…response:
allied army of British, French, German,
Russian, American and Japanese attacked
Beijing, restored order – Chinese gov. forced to
pay money to the allied countries….gov. was
very weak!!

JAPAN
Matthew Perry American commodore, went to Japan, forced
them to not be isolated

Meiji Restoration transformation of Japan (Meiji = enlightened

rule) – modern political system based on
Western model, new land taxes, military and
education improvements, rights for women!

Meiji Constitution determined authority in the hands of a prime

minister and his cabinet of ministers (emperor=
figure head), established the Diet (legislative)

Russo-Japanese War Russia v. Japan, Russia lost; Japan gets Korea,

Taiwan, and Sakhalin