Glossary
Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
A meeting of European powers held in Berlin, Germany, to set rules for the partition of Africa, aiming to avoid conflict among themselves.
Example:
At the Berlin Conference, European leaders formalized the concept of 'effective occupation,' meaning a claim to African territory was only valid if the claiming power could demonstrate control over it.
British East India Company
A powerful English trading company that eventually gained significant political and military control over large parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Example:
The British East India Company initially focused on trade but gradually amassed its own army and administrative power, effectively becoming the de facto ruler of much of India before direct British government control.
Colonialism
The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Example:
During the 19th century, European powers engaged in extensive colonialism in Africa, establishing direct rule and extracting resources like rubber and diamonds.
Deindustrialization
The decline in industrial activity in a region or economy, often due to competition from more industrialized nations or colonial policies that suppress local manufacturing.
Example:
British colonial policies in India led to the deindustrialization of its once-thriving textile industry, as cheap British factory-made goods flooded the market, displacing local artisans.
Effective Occupation
A principle established at the Berlin Conference stating that a European power could only claim African territory if it could demonstrate actual control over the area, such as by establishing administration or military presence.
Example:
To prove effective occupation, European powers would often send expeditions to map territories, sign treaties with local leaders (often under duress), and establish outposts, even if their control was superficial.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often involving the domination of other countries politically, economically, and culturally.
Example:
The British Empire's control over India, where it exerted significant political and economic influence without always direct settlement, is a prime example of imperialism.
Indirect Rule
A system of governance used by the British and others to control parts of their colonial empires, particularly in Africa and Asia, through pre-existing local power structures.
Example:
In Nigeria, the British employed indirect rule by governing through traditional chiefs and emirs, which often strengthened the power of these local leaders while undermining indigenous political systems.
Industrialization
The process by which an economy is transformed from a primarily agricultural one to one based on the manufacturing of goods, driven by new technologies and energy sources.
Example:
Britain's early industrialization created a massive demand for raw materials like cotton from its colonies and new markets for its manufactured goods, fueling its imperial expansion.
Nationalism
A strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Example:
The rise of nationalism in Germany and Italy in the late 19th century led these newly unified states to seek their own overseas colonies to compete with established powers like Britain and France.
Scramble for Africa
The rapid invasion, occupation, division, and colonization of African territory by European powers during a short period at the end of the 19th century.
Example:
The Scramble for Africa saw European nations drawing arbitrary borders across the continent, often ignoring existing ethnic and linguistic divisions, leading to long-term instability.
Spanish-American War
A conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, resulting in the U.S. gaining control over territories like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Example:
The Spanish-American War marked a significant turning point for the United States, signaling its emergence as a global imperial power with overseas possessions.
Suez Canal
An artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, which significantly shortened maritime trade routes between Europe and Asia.
Example:
Britain's intense interest in controlling the Suez Canal stemmed from its vital role in connecting the British Isles to its vast colonial empire in India and East Asia.