Nationalism, Expansion, and Imperialism: A Concise Analysis
Nationalism and National Processes
Nationalism spurred national processes.
Nation: A group of people born in the same place under the power of a monarch who controlled different areas.
The German Romantics defended the cultural conception of the nation, believing it to be a living being, created over time, with its own culture, language, history, and right to organize itself as a sovereign state.
French theorists posed a political conception of the nation as a voluntary decision by a group of people to share laws, rights, and duties.
Disjunctive nationalist movements led to the disintegration of existing entities, demanding independence (Belgium, Serbia, Romania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Albania).
Unifying movements (Italy and Germany) unified national communities dispersed in different states. Italy, divided into several states under foreign domination, was led by Piedmont. Prussia directed the unification of Germany.
The Expansion to the American West
From 1800-1850, the United States’ population rose from 5 to 23 million due to immigrants from the UK and Germany. Louisiana and Florida were bought from France and Spain. The expansion provided land and forged a U.S. national identity.
The confrontation between abolitionist and slave states intensified. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln opposed the extension of slavery to new territories. Eleven Southern states seceded from the United States and created a confederation.
Succession War (1861-1865)
The North, led by Victoria, won. This destructive war saw the first use of modern weapons, resulting in half a million deaths and devastated territories.
Consolidation of Liberalism in Great Britain and France
Great Britain and France moved slowly, adopting universal male suffrage, religious freedom, and freedom of expression. Modern political parties emerged. Granting all men the right to vote caused important changes in political parties. Socialist parties began to have parliamentary representation as workers could vote. Parties began to develop modern political strategies (meetings, political posters, etc.).
Suffrage Movement
Women’s associations struggled to improve their situation and gain the right to vote.
Welfare State
To protect the disadvantaged, the first unemployment benefits and pensions were created.
Imperialism
Imperialism: A country’s domain extension over others.
Metropolis: The colonizing country.
Colonies: The colonized territories.
Important Empires: Spain and Portugal (historically). The major colonial powers were France and Great Britain, but other empires were created (Germany, Italy, Belgium, USA, Japan). Spain lost its territories in Latin America and the Pacific.
Economic Factors of Imperialism
The colonies became markets for products manufactured in the metropolis. Capital was invested through the construction or improvement of public works (railways, ports, etc.). Colonizing territories rich in natural resources provided raw materials at low prices.
Political Factors of Imperialism
Imperialism increased worldwide prestige and strengthened national pride among the inhabitants of the colonizing country. Conquered territories controlled strategic sea routes and important land areas for security.
Demographic Factors of Imperialism
The western population grew intensely. To reduce social unrest caused by unemployment, governments encouraged migration to the colonies.
Ideological Factors of Imperialism
Western racist ideologies held that the white race was superior and had the right to dominate other peoples, viewing it as their mission to civilize the rest of the world. They established missions, and European civilization was transmitted outside their own borders by immigrants, explorers, and missionaries.
Colonial Empires (1870-1914)
Between 1870 and 1914, the great colonial empires formed. The British Empire was the largest, followed by the French.
1830: Britain increased its presence in India, and France conquered Algeria. By 1870, powers were competing to increase their colonial domains. Chancellor Bismarck avoided conflicts by convening an international conference (the Berlin Conference) to regulate the employment conditions and exploitation of Africa.
The British Empire
The British Empire was the largest. At the height of British imperialism (1839 – 1901), the colonies spanned almost all continents and dominated strategic points to control sea routes. India was the most important colony.
The French Empire
The French Empire was the second largest, occupying lands in North Africa and Indochina. After the U.S. defeated Spain, it occupied the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and controlled Cuba. Japan annexed Korea and Formosa.