Responses to Imperialism

1. Responses to Imperialism

2. Responses to Imperialism • Imperialism affected many peoples & nations around the world • No single response encompasses the reaction of all peoples or nations affected • Responses to imperialism varied depending on • The colonizer • The colonized • Historians have asked; • Did the colonized resist? • Did they adapt & become like the colonizer? • How did the colonized change b/c of the experience?

3. Responses to Imperialism: Japan • Japan fell under the influence of the US in 1854 • Under threat of force, US gained access to 2 ports • Japans government was reformed & reorganized to resemble Western governments by 1868 • Emperor became head-of-state • Government was centralized • Imperial army & navy replaced traditional samurai • Government positions were held by educated officials • Education became compulsory for all children • Authoritarian Constitution was implemented • These reforms united the Japanese & led them towards becoming an international power

4. Responses to Imperialism: Japan •  Japan’s response regarded as successful • Integrated Western components & improved its status • Used military power to help elevate its economic situation • Eventually became richest nation in the East • Also adopted unattractive western features • Japan became militaristic • Defeating China in 1894 & Korea in 1910 • Imposed restrictive laws on conquered peoples • Exploited Korea for its rice and minerals • Other nations were inspired by Japan’s success

5. Responses to Imperialism: Japan

6. Responses to Imperialism: China • China adopted several imperialism components • Established new trading companies • Created a small number of elite schools • Small groups helped administer local governments • 1900 - Chinese began to resent Western influences • Militant martial-arts experts murdered missionaries, Western government representatives, and the converted Chinese • Most famous group, “Righteous and Harmonious Fists” • West called it the Boxer Uprising • Since both British & German representatives were killed a joint military force was sent to defeat the Boxers • They succeeded but it also increased anti-Western sentiment

7. Responses to Imperialism: China • Chinese government became increasingly powerless • Republican gov’t replaced Emperor Pu Yi in 1911 • New gov’t was divided into various factions • Allowed West to continue trading & exploiting Chinese • B/w 1911 & 1949 China went through various revolutions, rebellions, a civil war, & foreign invasions • All at a great cost of life for the Chinese people • China continued to be dominated by the West until 1949 - communist revolution takes control • All Westerners were thrown out of China • China adopted an isolationist system

8. Responses to Imperialism: India • The Raj (Hindu word for “rule”) began after Britain put down the Indian Mutiny of 1857 • British military officers, civil administrators, court officers, teachers, & missionaries were sent to consolidate the Raj • Select Indians would be taught Western ideals & then carry out their daily administration to govern the region • British officials lived a good life in India • Large homes w/ servants • Socialized at exclusive (British only) clubs & sporting events • Educated Indians also lived a privileged life • Average Indian lived in primitive conditions

9. Responses to Imperialism: India • Nationalist movements developed • Indian National Congress formed in 1885 • Organization had a Hindu basis • Gently criticized British rule at first • Eventually fully supported independence • Religious divisions impeded nationalist causes • Indian Muslim League formed in 1906 • Previously Muslims had not participated in the cause • Sought reforms that would benefit Muslim population • Sikhs were also prevalent & a majority in many parts of India • Did not feel comfortable joining either organization • India would not gain independence until 1947 (still divided though; India was Hindu & Pakistan was Muslim)

10. Responses to Imperialism: India • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwCeGxTN-A • Gandhi’s influence (movie trailer)

11. Responses to Imperialism: Africa • Vastness of Africa makes generalizing responses hard – following are some key responses • Religious Conversion • Islam had a firm control of the northern regions • South of the Sahara Christianity took over in 20yrs • Catholics, Presbyterians, Anglicans spread throughout south • Support of Local Elites • Used local leaders to install Western ideas • Deposed of local leaders if they would not cooperate • Development of Cash Exports • Removed barter systems for cash exports

12. Responses to Imperialism: Ottoman Empire • Empire was declining so, nations took advantage • France & Britain targeted control over Egypt • France built the Suez Canal (1869) as a shipping shortcut from Europe to Asia • Britain would capture the canal and Egypt • Used Egypt for cotton to fill shortages created by the US Civil War (1861-65) • Britain defeated a rebellion in 1881, established a military base, & installed a new ruler

13. Responses to Imperialism: Ottoman Empire • Sultan Abdul Hamid II attempted to reform the empire in 1876 • Est. a centralized government & common language • Agreed to a written constitution & elected parliament • Balkan rebellion hwr, distracted Hamid from this task • Young Turks stage a revolution in 1908 • Hamid II is removed from power in 1909 • Turkey adopts Western reforms including bureaucratic & centralized government, public education, support for industry

14. Responses to Imperialism: Mexico • Porfirio Diaz - president of Mexico (1876-80 & 1884-1911) • Attempted to reform Mexico b/c he feared further conquest by the United States • Education: system attempted to build a local elite that could expand the economy & run government efficiently • Economy: opened resources to foreign investment • Money poured in from the US & Europe • Problem was Mexico did not produce manufactured goods • Ownership: created large land holdings b/c he believed it would be more efficient • All in All, conditions for the average Mexican did not improve - for many they became worse • 1910 Mexican revolution occurs & Diaz gov’t is replaced