STUDY GUIDE: IMPERIALISM



STUDY GUIDE: IMPERIALISM

1. Name some of the reasons that spurred/started Imperialism.

Nationalism, Social Darwinism, Racism, desire for resources/wealth, competition between European nations to prove superiority.

2. Why were European armies able to outperform African armies in the early 20th Century?

Better weapons and superior transportation technology, African disunity,

3. Where did the European countries meet to determine how Africa would be partitioned?

The Berlin Conference

4. When the Europeans drew political borders in Africa, they were unaware of, or unconcerned with what?

Culture, language, religion, tribal relationships

5. How was Social Darwinism or Nationalism used as a justification for imperialism?

Both were ideological motives that encouraged Europeans to believe in the greatness of their country or race and therefore diminish the guilt over conquering foreign lands.

6. Who controlled the largest portion of Africa?

British

7. By 1914, what two African countries remained independent?

Ethiopia and Liberia

8. Who was the emperor of Ethiopia who successfully led a war of resistance against the Italians?

Menelik II

9. How did Menelik II keep colonial interests out of Ethiopia?

He played European rivals off of each other and built a modern army

10. What are some of the negative outcomes of imperialism in Africa?

Loss of native culture/tradition, impoverishment of natives, destruction of native environment

11. What was a result of the reliance on cash crops (like cotton and opium) in India?

Wide-spread famine in some parts of India as a result of an intensive focus on cash crops and a failure to plant sufficient food crops.

12. What was a major cause of the Sepoy Mutiny (Rebellion)?

British contempt for local religious beliefs

13. What happened as a result of the Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny?

The British established direct control over India (British Raj)

14. From 1775-1947, how did the British rule India? (In other words, what type of government?)

British Raj (direct control)

15. What are some of the reasons why the British considered India to be the brightest “jewel in the crown?”

Valuable trade goods and large quantities of raw materials that were desired all over Europe

16. What is a Sphere of Influence?

Economic control of a portion of another country without directly controlling its government

17. What caused the Opium War between England and China?

The British were attempting to make up for a trade deficit by smuggling drugs (opium) into China illegally. When the Chinese demanded the drug trade cease, war broke out.

18. What are some of the results of the Opium War?

Chinese sense of superiority is destroyed

China loses control of Hong Kong (valuable trading port)

China is humiliated and forced to accept the creation of spheres of influence

19. What rebellion was started by Chinese peasants in an attempt to overthrow their own government? Was it successful?

Taiping Rebellion. No, it weakened China and resulted in the death of millions of Chinese people.

20. What rebellion was an attempt to oust (kick out) foreigners from China? Was it successful?

Boxer Rebellion. Temporarily, but ultimately the Europeans regained and solidified their control over China.

21. Name all the countries that seized land in China.

England, France, Russia, Germany, Japan

22. What is the 100-mile waterway that links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea?

Suez Canal

23. Why did Britain take control of the Suez Canal?

The Egyptians went bankrupt and couldn’t finish the project. The British recognized an opportunity to gain a valuable geopolitical resource.

24. What is Commodore Perry best known for?

Opening Japan’s doors for economic relationships with the West

25. In 1853, who militarily forced Japan to adopt an open-trade policy?

The United States (Matthew Perry)

26. What did Japan do during the Meiji Era?

Learned from the West and rapidly industrialized

27. What groups were involved in the dispute for control of South Africa? Who was ultimately successful?

British, Boers, Zulus. The British ultimately gained control over all of South Africa after the Boer Wars.

28. What is the imperialistic approach some European countries used where they kept the local rulers in place with an agreement to accept European authority?

Indirect control

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