Imperialism and the Road to World War I
Causes of Imperialism
Rise of finance capitalism: The increase in production led to a search for new markets outside Europe, raw materials, and cheap sources of energy.
International prestige: Colonies were a symbol of international prestige.
Growth: Unemployment led to emigration.
Scientific progress: Geographic expeditions to unknown areas, such as the African continent, were undertaken.
White Supremacy: Europeans believed that the white race was superior and that it was their duty to bring European and Christian values and culture to indigenous societies that were less civilized.
Stages of Colonization
Occupation by contest: Military power was used to subdue countries.
Political and administrative control: The administration was organized, and military commanders maintained order by controlling indigenous rebellions.
Organization of the colonial economy: Exploitation of natural resources and the indigenous population to gain more power with raw materials and sources of energy.
Values of the Colonies
Exploitation colonies: These had economic value. They were governed by a white minority from the colonizing country, who exploited the area economically (e.g., India).
Settler colonies: These had socio-economic value and were populated by emigrants from the colonizing country. They were considered overseas provinces and enjoyed certain governmental autonomy (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand).
Protectorates: These were areas of strategic interest. The indigenous population maintained its own government and administration under the supervision of the colonizing country (e.g., Spain and Egypt).
Consequences of Imperialism
For Colonies
Demographic growth: Increased due to a decrease in mortality thanks to improvements in hygiene and health, but also led to starvation and poverty.
Destruction of ethnic structures: Indigenous artisan crafts could not compete with the colonists’ manufactured goods and gradually disappeared.
Provided markets: The colonies used single-crop agriculture serving the colonial power’s domestic needs. There was no industrialization, and the colonies merely provided markets. Mining was important.
European language, religion, and culture: The Western culture was imposed, and the indigenous people and their culture were relegated to a second-class status.
Artificial borders: New borders were created during colonization.
For Empires
Demographic growth: European countries experienced lessened migration.
Conflict for the dominion of the colonies: The colonies, because of their strategic and economic value, became the scene of political rivalry between the colonizing powers for dominion of territories, sometimes leading to World War I.
Better economy: Infrastructure such as ports and railways focused on importing and exporting products.
Inequality among Empires: The exploitation of raw materials and sources of energy and the organization of trade were controlled by the colonizing countries. This led to the economic dependence of the colonies on their colonizing country (developed vs. developing countries).
Armed Peace in Europe
Between 1870 and 1914, tension between the European countries was growing, dedicating production to manufacturing weapons.
Germany became the most important power in Europe. There were two phases of German foreign policy during this period.
The Bismarckian System (1871-1890)
German emperor Wilhelm I used diplomacy to maintain the balance of power between European countries. The chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, established a system of alliances with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire, and Italy: The Bismarckian Empire. The objectives were:
- Maintain German hegemony in Europe to have friendly relationships with the other countries.
- Prevent France from declaring war on Germany in order to recover Alsace-Lorraine.
With this policy, Bismarck avoided conflict in Europe for 20 years.
This caused the arms race: Bismarck had to strengthen the German army.
In 1885, the Congress of Berlin took place in order to distribute Africa among the most important empires.
Expansionist Policy of Wilhelm II (1890-1914)
In the second phase, the German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, focused on obtaining a colonial empire that could reflect Germany’s growing economic power. The political hegemony of Wilhelm II caused concern in France and Great Britain. They formed the Triple Entente (1907) with Russia to try to stop Germany’s expansion.
European Empires
- Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm I (king), Otto von Bismarck (chancellor)
- Spain: King Alfonso XII
- Russia: Tsar
- Great Britain: Queen Victoria
- France: Republic