Chapter 25: Imperialism

1.) The late 19th and early 20th century saw the golden age of Imperialism as European powers invested abroad in order to gain power through finance. Imperialism was many sided as peoples of European decent were across the globe caused by the Great Migration. Countries from China to the continent of Africa faced the effects of Imperialism full force as European powers forced their influence onto them.

Chapter Objective: Explain the causes of Imperialism during this time period as well as understanding how many different individual countries were affected.

EQ: What were the main causes of Imperialism during this time and which do you believe was the most significant.

Imperialism was caused by three main forces, these being: financial concerns, "the white man's burden", and the belief that God intended for a particular country's expansion. The most significant of these forces was financial concerns of European powers. They invested money into different countries as a means to gain more money. European powers made this apparent at the point of a gun such as Britain did to China and the United States did to Japan.
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2.) This image depicts England as an octopus reaching its tentacles abroad in order to snatch up many different countries. From these it is probable that the artist disapproved of the immense nature of the British Empire. It seems that Britain is too powerful for its own good and showing it as an octopus gives the image a negative connotation because it reminds the reader of great beasts taking down ships at sea. The same image is later applied to Standard Oil Company in America. I disapprove of Britain's method of taking land for financial gain at gunpoint. I believe that it is an abuse of power/authority.

This image shows Germany's Bismark cutting up the "cake" of Africa. This was probably made after the Berlin Conference as the cartoonist saw problems with the agreements between European powers on how to divide up Africa. My personal standpoint is that this conference had no authority to speak about how to split up Africa. The land in Africa wasn't theirs to begin with yet the discuss who will get what? That is completely absurd.







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3.) This image depicts America in the form of an Eagle tearing into South America. The owner of the blog said,

 "US imperialism, which has been plundering the poor countries across the world, suppressing the oppressed nationalities, pushing the notorious thugs and dictators into the power, bullying those countries who wouldn’t cooperate, looting oil, minerals and all other natural wealth and sources and for this going to any extent, is the no. 1 enemy of world people"
http://kasamaproject.org/category/communist-politics/naxalite/

I think that many of the policies of the United States effect other countries far too much. In Iraq we have bombed civilians and imposed our own form of life unto its people, yet we still view ourselves as some sort of glorious democratic liberators. We need to step up and stop worrying solely for our own concerns in natural resources and actually start helping people in need. Actually using our gains to fund the domestic problems, such as poverty, that still curse our nation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.) I believe that the United States has undoubtedly been Imperialistic in its past, and I believe that the same motives for Imperialism exist within politician's minds to this day.

Pros

• Matthew Perry forced Japan to open its trade ports to Americans through the system of gunboat diplomacy.
• American Exceptionalism was a strong force in America to justify expansion starting with President James K Polk.
• The United States used the explosion of the Maine as a means to use force in Cuba.

Cons

• Yellow journalism/ propaganda made Americans act on the false belief that Cubans had sunk the Maine
• The United States says that it acts to "enlighten" other countries and improve their standard of living.
• Not all countries believe that the influence of the United States is bad.

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5.)2 US events during this time period.

-The United States at this time forced its way into acquiring the Panama Canal and finishing its completion from the Panamanian government, but the treaty that was signed for the United States to gain the land was actually signed by a French citizen serving as ambassador from Panama. This would later cause problems as the United States claim to the land came into question. The Panama Canal greatly increased the ability of the Navy to travel from ocean to ocean in a short time, which becomes a key factor in WWII. The Panama canal also becomes a major shipping lane and profits go to the United States rather than Panama. This is similar to European investments in other countries, such as China for increased power.

- The United States at this time took control of the Philippines with the Treaty of Paris after defeating the Spanish. This treaty was not recognized by the Philippine revolutionaries who then declared war against the United States on June 2, 1899. This is paralleled by other European powers exerting their influence on different countries as shown in the picture as well. The United States and other countries were known to use the third world for their own benefit thereby increasing the "lopsided world."








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6.) One key uprising was in India in 1857. This was of course the Sepoy Rebellion. Sepoys were Indian soldiers employed by the British. They were trained with British weapons along traditional European lines. The Sepoys became morally offended by new British cartridges that used pig and or cow fat. Since most Sepoys were either Hindu (offended by use of cow fat) or Muslim (offended by pig fat) tensions between Sepoys and the British increased rapidly. Their uprising was short-lived though as British forces crushed the rebellion quite handily. This rebellion became the first major act against British dominance and it would be the first step towards an independent India.
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7.)1969- Muammar Gaddafi becomes the de-facto ruler of Libya after he leads a military coup against King Idris I.

1969- Gaddafi abolishes the Libyan Constitution of 1951 and adopts laws based on his on ideologies which are outlined in his manifesto The Green Book.

1977- Gaddafi officially steps down from power claiming only to be a “symbolic figurehead.” This is only a ploy, as under his lead, the government is carefully manipulated to ensure Gaddafi's dominance.

2011

January 13-16 - Protestors upset at delays in the building of housing units and over political corruption begin the first protests in Libya most urging for greater freedoms in Libya.

February 26-28 The UN security council imposes sanctions on Gaddafi and his family and EU governments approve of the sanctions against Gaddafi and his closest advisors.

March 5 - The rebel National Transitional Council in Benghazi declares that it is the only legitimate representative of Libya.

March 17-19-The UN security council authorizes a no-fly zone over Libya and military action in order to protect civilians against Gaddafi's army. The first airstrikes begin in Libya.

September 20-Barack Obama urges the last of Gaddafi's loyalist forces to surrender. Gaddafi taunts Nato in a speech broadcast by the Syrian-based Arrai television station.

October 20- NTC fighters capture and kill Gaddafi in Sirte, which ends a two-month long seige. His body was dragged through the streets after being killed.

October 23-31 - Libya declares the liberation of its country. Gaddafi's body is buried in a secret location. An little known academic, Abdul Raheem al-Keeb is elected as the new interim prime minister.

After October 23- Elections for a constitutional assembly are to take place within eight months and parliamentary and presidential elections to be held within a year after that. 

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8.) The Suez Canal is very important to transportation and the shipment of goods in today's world. The Canal is under the full control of Egypt and it is operated by the Suez Canal Authority currently chaired by Admiral Ahmed Ali Fadel. It is used every day by ships traveling from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. This canal helps connect the world as the majority of trade is done through the shipment of goods over water.




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9.) 3-2-1

• The main motivation for Imperialism during this time period were financial concerns, but other motivations existed including "the white man's burden" and God.
• Imperialistic notions still exist in today's society and thought structure.
• The Suez Canal is controlled solely by Egypt.

• Europeans saw it as their duty to take over "lesser" unindustrialized nations.
• Political Cartoonists saw the injustice of the Imperialist system when it was around, which humanizes many Europeans in my eyes.

• Why were wages stagnating in the third world during this time period even with foreign intervention?