Understanding Modern Imperialism: Key Events and Concepts
Understanding Modern Imperialism
Modern imperialism usually refers to the attitude of some powers, principally in Europe, from the modern era to the decolonization process after World War II. More specifically, it refers to the Age of Imperialism, a period from 1871 to 1919, when there was a race to build empires, notably the division of Africa.
Key Events and Concepts
- Berlin Conference: Held from November 15, 1884, to February 26, 1885, in Berlin, called by France and England to address the challenges posed by colonial expansion in Africa and to address resource sharing.
- Algeciras Conference: Held in Algeciras from January 16 to April 7, 1906. The aim was to resolve the first Moroccan crisis between France and Germany.
- Opium Wars: Also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars, these were two wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) resulting from trade disputes between China and the United Kingdom. British smuggling of opium from British India to China and the Chinese government’s efforts to enforce its drug laws led to the conflict. France fought alongside Britain in the Second Opium War.
- Sepoy Mutiny: Sepoy soldiers, natives of India serving in the British East India Company, revolted in 1857 when rumors spread that the cartridges were covered with cow or pork fat.
- Indian Reservations: These are U.S. territories, formerly from Canada, that are still under the limited sovereignty of Native American tribes.
- Armed Peace (1871-1914): A period of intense tension between states due to national and imperialist conflicts, leading to significant state investment in the arms industry and army building. This resulted in a complex system of alliances where nations were in conflict without being officially at war.
Alliances and Treaties
- Triple Alliance: Initially consisted of Germany and Austria-Hungary, later joined by Italy. The Russian Empire was also invited to join.
- Triple Entente: Formed by Russia, Britain, and France to counter the Triple Alliance.
- Entente Cordiale: A non-aggression treaty and regulation of colonial expansion, ratified by a series of agreements signed between the United Kingdom and France on April 8, 1904.
Colonial Administration
- Protectorates: Territories under surveillance supervised by Europeans through managers and military advisors representing the Indian government.
- Boers: Farmers of Dutch origin who settled near the Cape in the mid-17th century. Calvinists and profoundly racist, they stripped indigenous people of their land.
- Boxers: Chinese martial artists who revolted against Westerners, besieging foreign ambassadors in Beijing for 55 days until an international force intervened.
- Colonial Habitation: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the South African Union had their own parliaments governing domains and areas directly administered as protectorates.
- Zulus: A military empire in Africa, east of the British colony of the Cape, confronted successively by the Boers and the British. The Zulus won some victories against the Europeans, and their strength made them difficult to subdue.
Key Figures
- William II: Began a program of investment in arms and fleets and intervened in overseas conflicts, profiting from deals in settled areas.