Imperialism

Imperialism

A policy of a stronger nation taking over a weaker nation or territory and dominating that nation politically, economically, and socially

Economic motives for imperialism

Desire for natural resources
Need of a market to sell goods
Desire to grow wealthier

Nationalism

A feeling that your own nation's interests are more important than other nation's interests

Mercantilism

An economic policy where mother countries increased their wealth and power by obtaining raw materials from their colonies and by selling products back to the colonies

White Man's Burden

Racist idea that many European countries had a duty to spread their religion and culture to those less "civilized"
-This idea was used to justify imperialism

Berlin Conference

A meeting from 1884-1885 at which representatives of European nations divided up African colonies without the say of any African people

Scramble for Africa

Term given for the rapid invasion of Africa by the various European powers. This began imperialism in Africa.

Ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.

King Leopold II

Belgian king who committed horrific human rights abuses in the Congo

Sepoy

Indian soldier who served the British East India Company

Sepoy Rebellion (Mutiny)

uprising of Indian soldiers against British rule in mid-1800s; unsuccessful

Cause of Sepoy Rebellion

Use of pork and cow grease in sepoy soldier weapons; violation of Indian religious customs

Effect of Sepoy Rebellion

India officially became a British colony

Colony

A territory that is controlled politically and economically by a foreign nation

Opium War

a conflict between Britain and China over Britain's opium trade in China; won by the British

Treaty of Nanking

unequal and humiliating treaty that gave the British ports, including Hong Kong and a lot of economic control in China; China had to pay fines

Taiping Rebellion

peasant uprising in China that weakened the power of the Chinese Emperor

Commodore Perry

U.S. Commodore who's voyage opened up Japan for trade with the West

Treaty of Kanagawa

Trade treaty between Japan and the United States opening up two Japanese ports to U.S. trade; signed in response to a show of force by U.S. admiral Matthew Perry

Meiji Restoration

the modernization and industrialization of Japan in the 1800's that helped Japan to become a world power

Boxer Rebellion

A 1900 Uprising in China aimed at ending foreign influence in the country; unsuccessful

Cecil Rhodes

British imperialist who represented Great Britain in Africa. Made a fortune from the control of diamond mines. Believed Britain should control as much territory as possible

Samurai

Class of warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble in return for land.

Shogun

A general who ruled Japan in the emperor's name

Infrastructure

Roads, bridges, railroads, public works, communication systems, basic things needed for development, built by imperialists in their colonies