#State Expansion & Imperialism (1750-1900) 🌍

Hey! Let's break down how state power shifted globally during this period. It's a big topic, but we'll make it super clear and easy to remember. Think of it as a game of global chess, with different players making their moves!

#Key Processes of State Power Shifts

Between 1750 and 1900, several major processes reshaped state power around the world. These are the big moves on our global chess board:

• Colonialism: European powers establishing colonies in places like Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Think of it as setting up new outposts and controlling the local resources. 🏘️
  • Impact: Displacement of indigenous peoples, imposition of European systems, and resource extraction.
• Imperialism: Domination of other countries through political, economic, and military control. This is like the bigger chess pieces controlling the smaller ones. 👑
  • Impact: Subjugation of local populations, suppression of cultures, and exploitation of resources.
• Industrialization: The rise of factories and capitalist economies. This is like the invention of new, more powerful chess pieces. 🏭
  • Impact: New forms of economic and political power, new social classes, decline of traditional power.
• Nationalism: The rise of movements for new nation-states. Think of it as players forming their own teams. 🚩
  • Impact: Formation of new political entities, reshaping of existing ones.
• War: Conflicts leading to conquest and annexation of territories. This is like capturing your opponent's chess pieces. ⚔️
  • Impact: Shifts in state power, new territorial boundaries.

#African Imperialism

Time to zoom in on Africa! European powers were all about claiming territory here. It's like a land grab, but with much bigger consequences.

• The Players: Britain, France, Belgium, and others.
• The Game: Colonization and domination of the continent.
• The Stakes: Resources, labor, and strategic advantages.

#British Control of Egypt

• 1882: Britain invades and occupies Egypt, which was part of the Ottoman Empire. 🇪🇬

  • Why? To control the Suez Canal, a vital trade route. 🚢
  • Result: British protectorate until 1922. ### Suez Canal

• Built in 1869: Connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. 🌊

• Strategic Importance: Shortened trade routes between Europe and Asia.

• British Involvement: Purchased shares in 1875, occupied Egypt in 1882. ### British West Africa

• Territories: Modern-day Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. 🇬🇭🇳🇬

• Methods: Colonies, imposition of political and economic systems, forced labor, resource extraction (palm oil, gold).

#French in Africa

• Territories: West and Central Africa, including Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Chad. 🇫🇷
• Methods: Centralized rule, strong military presence, forced assimilation, resource extraction.

#The Scramble for Africa

This was the ultimate land grab! European powers were in a mad dash to claim as much of Africa as possible.

• Driving Forces: Economic, political, and strategic interests.
• Goal: Control of resources, expansion of influence and prestige.

#Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

• Purpose: To establish rules for the partition of Africa. 🇩🇪
• Key Principle: "Effective occupation" - if you can control it, you can claim it.
• Impact: Disregard for indigenous populations, establishment of European control by 1900.
  Common Mistake

Don't forget that the Berlin Conference was a meeting of European powers, not an agreement with African leaders. It's a classic example of how European powers ignored the existing political structures in Africa.

#Imperialism in South Asia

Now, let's head over to South Asia, where the British were the main players.

• Primary Power: Britain.
• Methods: Military conquest, economic domination.

#British East India Company

• 1757: Battle of Plassey marks the beginning of British control. ⚔️
• Expansion: Gradual expansion over the next century.
• Indirect Rule: Control through local rulers, military force, and economic incentives.

#Impact of British Rule

• Land Taxation: Displacement of farmers, transformation of the agrarian economy.
• Economic Control: India as a source of raw materials and a market for British goods. 💰
• Deindustrialization: Decline of local industries.

#Imperialism in East Asia

East Asia saw a mix of European and Japanese imperialism. It's like a multi-player game with different strategies.

• Players: Britain, France, the United States, and Japan.

#British Imperialism in East Asia

• Territories: Parts of India (Bangladesh, Pakistan), Malaysia, Singapore. 🇬🇧
• Methods: Control of trade, resource extraction, imposition of political and economic systems.

#French Imperialism in East Asia

• Territories: French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), parts of China and Taiwan. 🇫🇷
• Methods: Similar to British - political and economic control, resource exploitation.

#American Imperialism in East Asia

• Territories: Philippines, Guam, Hawaii. 🇺🇸
• Focus: Economic gain, trade relations, access to resources and markets.

#Japanese Imperialism in East Asia

• Expansion: Late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Territories: Parts of China and Korea, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands. 🇯🇵
• Methods: Military conquest, suppression of local cultures, resource exploitation.

#US Imperialism in Latin America & Pacific Regions

The United States also got in on the action, expanding its influence in Latin America and the Pacific. It's like a new player entering the game.

• Methods: Military force, political pressure, economic domination.

#Latin America

• Intervention: Internal affairs of Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama. 🇲🇽🇭🇳🇳🇮🇵🇦
• Goals: Protect American economic interests, promote American political ideals.
• Acquired Territories: Puerto Rico, Guam.

#The Pacific

• 1898: Annexation of Hawaii. 🏝️
• Spanish-American War: US gained control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. 🇵🇭
• Philippines: War of suppression of the independence movement, establishment of colonial government.

Focus on the causes and effects of imperialism in different regions. Pay attention to the economic, political, and social impacts on both colonizers and colonized.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, you're almost there! Here's what to really focus on for the exam:

• Key Themes: Imperialism, colonialism, industrialization, nationalism, state expansion.
• Geographic Focus: Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific.
• Major Events: Scramble for Africa, Berlin Conference, British control of India, US expansion.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Focus on specific events, dates, and impacts.
  • Short Answer: Analyze the causes and effects of imperialism in different regions.
  • Free Response: Compare and contrast different forms of imperialism, analyze the impact of industrialization on state power.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations. Be specific and use evidence to support your claims.
• Strategies:
  • Read the question carefully. Make sure you understand what's being asked.
  • Plan your response. Outline your main points before you start writing.
  • Use key terms. Show the graders you know your stuff.

#Practice Questions

Let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 is best understood as a meeting of European powers to: (A) establish a common currency for trade in Africa (B) peacefully divide Africa among themselves (C) create a unified African government (D) establish a free trade zone in Africa

2. Which of the following best describes the impact of the British East India Company on India? (A) It led to an increase in Indian industrial output. (B) It established a system of indirect rule and economic exploitation. (C) It promoted the development of a unified Indian national identity. (D) It led to the strengthening of local Indian rulers.

3. Which of the following was a major consequence of the construction of the Suez Canal? (A) It led to the decline of British influence in Egypt. (B) It greatly reduced the travel time between Europe and Asia. (C) It resulted in the economic independence of Egypt. (D) It decreased the strategic importance of the Middle East.

Short Answer Question:

Briefly explain ONE way in which industrialization contributed to the expansion of European imperialism in the period 1750-1900. Free Response Question:

Analyze the similarities and differences in the methods and goals of European imperialism in Africa and Asia during the period 1750-1900. Scoring Breakdown for FRQ:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis/claim that responds to all parts of the question.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of imperialist methods and goals in both Africa and Asia.
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Analyzes the similarities and differences in methods and goals of imperialism in both regions and explains the reasons for these similarities and differences.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or contradictory evidence.

You got this! Take a deep breath, review these notes, and go ace that exam! 💪