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Imperialism Document Based Questions (DBQ)Name:Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying Documents (The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise.) This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that:? Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents.? Uses a majority of the documents? Addresses all parts of the question? Analyzes the documents by organizing them in as many appropriate ways as possible. Do not simply summarize the documents individually.? Takes into account both the sources of the documents and the authors’ points of view.You may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents.Discuss and analyze the factors that led to the European Imperialism of the nineteenth century. Evaluate the new imperialism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s in Africa. What were the positive and negative effects of imperialism for the colonizer and the colony?Historical Background: During the second half of the nineteenth century, and especially after 1870, Europe exercised extreme influence and control over the rest of the world. North and South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand, almost became part of the European world as large groups of European immigrants populated them. Until the nineteenth century, Asia (with the significant exception of India) and most of Africa had gone their own ways, having little contact with Europe. But in the latter part of that century, almost all of Africa was divided among a number of European nations. Europe also imposed its economic and political power across Asia.Document 1: Prince Leopold, heir to the throne of Belgium and future king, conversation, 1861. “Our frontiers” cannot be “extended in Europe. . . . The globe may become the field of our operations and our resources. . . . Colonies are useful” since “they play a great part in that which makes up the power and prosperity of states. . . . Let us see where there are unoccupied lands . . . to prove to the world that Belgians also are an imperial people capable of dominating and enlightening others.”How does Prince Leopold justify the use of imperialism?Document 2: Source: Raymond Aron, The Century of Total War, Doubleday & Co., 1954 (adapted). . . None of the colonial undertakings was motivated by the quest for capitalist profits; they all originated in political ambitions . . . the nations’ will to power . . . or glory or national greatness.What did this author say was the cause of imperialism?Document 3: Source: Cecil Rhodes, Confession of Faith, originally written at Oxford, 1877 (adapted)Cecil Rhodes was a successful British imperialist in Africa. This excerpt is adapted from his position on imperialismI contend that we [Britons] are the finest race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit; the better it is for the human race. . . . It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea in our minds that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honorable race the world possesses.According to Rhodes, why should Britain pursue a policy of imperialism?Document 4: Source: General James Rusling, “Interview with President William McKinley,” The Christian Advocate, 1903 (adapted)In this excerpt, President William McKinley explains why the United States took over the Philippines.We could not leave them to themselves. They were unfit for self-government. There was nothing left for us to do but to take them over. Then we would be able to educate the Filipinos. We could uplift and civilize and Christianize them. . . .How did President McKinley justify the U.S. takeover of the Philippines?Document 5: Africa National Resources MapWhat cause for imperialism is evident in this map of Africa? Explain.Document 6: This excerpt is adapted from Imperialism by J.A. Hobson, a British scholar.The period of imperialism has witnessed many wars. Most of these wars have been caused by attacks of white races upon so-called “lower races.” They have resulted in the taking of territory by force. . . . The white rulers of the colonies live at the expense of the natives. Their chief work is to organize labor for their support. In the typical colony, the most fertile lands and the mineral resources are owned by white foreigners. These holdings are worked by natives under their direction. The foreigners take wealth out of the country. All the hard work is done by natives.What negative aspects of imperialism does this British scholar point out?Document 7: The resolution of the All-African People’s Conference, held in Accra, Ghana in 1958, “condemns colonialism and imperialism”.Whereas all African peoples . . . hate the economic exploitation(abuse) of African people by Imperialist Countries, thus forcing Africans into poverty in the midst of plenty . . . Whereas fundamental human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom to live a full and happy life . . . are denied to Africans through the activities of Imperialists.What are the reasons this group condemned imperialism?Document 8: Sekou Toure, and African nationalist, pointed out another negative aspect of imperialismColonialism’s greatest misdeed was to to strip us of our responsibility in conducting our own affairs and convince us that our civilization was nothing less than savagery, thus giving us complexes which led to our being branded as irresponsible and lacking in self-confidence.What criticism of imperialism does this African offer? ................
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