Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Industry and Empire
The need for raw materials and to sell their own products pushed Europeans toward imperialism. A growing sense of nationalism also played a role in Europe’s struggle for colonies as they were symbols of power. During this period of industrialization, Europeans began seeing themselves as superior to other people as Europe became more wealthy and more powerful. This idea of superiority made them believe that they were destined to dominate over the inferior people.
A Second Wave of European Conquests
Europeans sometimes had to use military force to take over an area but in places like India, colonial conquest took place due to previous interactions with European traders. In Africa, Europeans divided the continent amongst themselves and in some areas, they had to use military campaigns. In Australia and New Zealand, Europeans migrated to those areas and diseases killed off the natives.
Under European Rule
Colonialism disrupted many societies as people were killed off, homes were destroyed and lands were devastated. Elites were able to maintain their status and they were able to gain wealth and authority. Europe promoted Western education in their colonies. Rebellions did break out like in India but it was crushed by the British and made the British exert more control over India. In areas where there were large European settlements like in South Africa, there was racial segregation. Colonial policies contradicted European practices in that as they were becoming more democratic back home, colonies were dictatorships and the ranking of races went against their ideas of human equality.
Comparing Colonial Economies
Farmers who used to grow crops for themselves now have to work to sell some of what they produce for income. Artisans suffered the most as they were out worked by machinery which could make more goods in less time. Blacksmiths were no longer needed and Asian and African merchants were replaced by European companies. Some in the colonial states were forced to work on railroads or constructing buildings without pay. In the Congo, forced labor and the interaction between all kinds of people caused AIDS to become an epidemic. In Indonesia, farmers had to give a portion of their crops as tax to the Dutch. This was enforced through torture and resulted in huge debts and loss of land. In places like Burma, the British facilitated and increased cash crop production which helped increase the population and allowed farmers to own their own land. However, this had environmental consequences and when there was labor shortage, it forced Europeans to bring in migrants from elsewhere creating tension. Many colonies came to specialize in certain crops which could be harmful when prices dropped. Chinese and other colonial workers would choose to work for European companies if they needed money and they were usually sent to other parts of the world. In Africa, people moved to where the gold and diamond mines were. In Asia, workers moved to Southeast Asia or South Pacific to grow sugarcane, tea and tobacco. Chinese workers went to Malaysia, Australia, Peru and California to work the mines. In Africa, women's workload increased due to men growing cash crops. They became the had of the household and they grew crops to feed their families. Colonialism integrated Asian and African economies into the world market and Europeans introduced modernizing processes to colonies. However, no colony experienced a transformation to a modern industrial society.
Identity and Cultural Exchange in the Colonial Era
People in the colonies were taught Western education and many saw it as an opportunity to escape forced labor and access to higher paying jobs. Some people took on European culture like dressing in their clothing and speaking their language. In India, European elites tried to create reforms to give more opportunities to women. However, Europeans never saw Asian or African people with education as their equal because Europeans still looked down on their culture. In Africa, many people converted to Christianity because military defeats shook their confidence in their old religion and there were new opportunities associated with Christianity. Conflict arose when Christians tried to impose gender roles that contradicted their original views. There were also issues with female circumcision causing missionaries to establish a ban on the African practice. Converts began incorporating their old religion into Christianity. In India, British influences began to separate the Hindu and Muslim community. In Africa, people began identifying themselves as Africans as opposed to being part of a local community. People began seeing that each society had its own unique contribution to the world. Africans began seeing themselves as part of a distinct tribe and they found it useful because it helped them organize themselves with people who spoke a similar language and shared a common culture.
Visual Sources
The scramble for Africa took place as Europe saw Africa as a source for raw materials and opportunities for missionaries. The picture showing a French commander over a dead soldier shows that the French saw Africans as disposable and that they frequently used Africans for military conquests. The British wanted the area from Egypt and South Africa. The picture showing a British person with both feet on Egypt and South Africa reveals that the British saw themselves as almighty and capable of anything. The image showing the British and French standing over their territory and a pile of bones can be interpreted in that they didn't care who they hurt as long as they got their way. The image with the Ethiopians fighting off the Europeans shows that they were powerful enough to keep Europeans from taking over their territory.
Industry and Empire
The need for raw materials and to sell their own products pushed Europeans toward imperialism. A growing sense of nationalism also played a role in Europe’s struggle for colonies as they were symbols of power. During this period of industrialization, Europeans began seeing themselves as superior to other people as Europe became more wealthy and more powerful. This idea of superiority made them believe that they were destined to dominate over the inferior people.
A Second Wave of European Conquests
Europeans sometimes had to use military force to take over an area but in places like India, colonial conquest took place due to previous interactions with European traders. In Africa, Europeans divided the continent amongst themselves and in some areas, they had to use military campaigns. In Australia and New Zealand, Europeans migrated to those areas and diseases killed off the natives.
Under European Rule
Colonialism disrupted many societies as people were killed off, homes were destroyed and lands were devastated. Elites were able to maintain their status and they were able to gain wealth and authority. Europe promoted Western education in their colonies. Rebellions did break out like in India but it was crushed by the British and made the British exert more control over India. In areas where there were large European settlements like in South Africa, there was racial segregation. Colonial policies contradicted European practices in that as they were becoming more democratic back home, colonies were dictatorships and the ranking of races went against their ideas of human equality.
Comparing Colonial Economies
Farmers who used to grow crops for themselves now have to work to sell some of what they produce for income. Artisans suffered the most as they were out worked by machinery which could make more goods in less time. Blacksmiths were no longer needed and Asian and African merchants were replaced by European companies. Some in the colonial states were forced to work on railroads or constructing buildings without pay. In the Congo, forced labor and the interaction between all kinds of people caused AIDS to become an epidemic. In Indonesia, farmers had to give a portion of their crops as tax to the Dutch. This was enforced through torture and resulted in huge debts and loss of land. In places like Burma, the British facilitated and increased cash crop production which helped increase the population and allowed farmers to own their own land. However, this had environmental consequences and when there was labor shortage, it forced Europeans to bring in migrants from elsewhere creating tension. Many colonies came to specialize in certain crops which could be harmful when prices dropped. Chinese and other colonial workers would choose to work for European companies if they needed money and they were usually sent to other parts of the world. In Africa, people moved to where the gold and diamond mines were. In Asia, workers moved to Southeast Asia or South Pacific to grow sugarcane, tea and tobacco. Chinese workers went to Malaysia, Australia, Peru and California to work the mines. In Africa, women's workload increased due to men growing cash crops. They became the had of the household and they grew crops to feed their families. Colonialism integrated Asian and African economies into the world market and Europeans introduced modernizing processes to colonies. However, no colony experienced a transformation to a modern industrial society.
Identity and Cultural Exchange in the Colonial Era
People in the colonies were taught Western education and many saw it as an opportunity to escape forced labor and access to higher paying jobs. Some people took on European culture like dressing in their clothing and speaking their language. In India, European elites tried to create reforms to give more opportunities to women. However, Europeans never saw Asian or African people with education as their equal because Europeans still looked down on their culture. In Africa, many people converted to Christianity because military defeats shook their confidence in their old religion and there were new opportunities associated with Christianity. Conflict arose when Christians tried to impose gender roles that contradicted their original views. There were also issues with female circumcision causing missionaries to establish a ban on the African practice. Converts began incorporating their old religion into Christianity. In India, British influences began to separate the Hindu and Muslim community. In Africa, people began identifying themselves as Africans as opposed to being part of a local community. People began seeing that each society had its own unique contribution to the world. Africans began seeing themselves as part of a distinct tribe and they found it useful because it helped them organize themselves with people who spoke a similar language and shared a common culture.
Visual Sources
The scramble for Africa took place as Europe saw Africa as a source for raw materials and opportunities for missionaries. The picture showing a French commander over a dead soldier shows that the French saw Africans as disposable and that they frequently used Africans for military conquests. The British wanted the area from Egypt and South Africa. The picture showing a British person with both feet on Egypt and South Africa reveals that the British saw themselves as almighty and capable of anything. The image showing the British and French standing over their territory and a pile of bones can be interpreted in that they didn't care who they hurt as long as they got their way. The image with the Ethiopians fighting off the Europeans shows that they were powerful enough to keep Europeans from taking over their territory.
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