Imperialism: Crash Course World History #35

Summary

This Crash Course World History episode explores 19th-century imperialism, focusing on its economic and technological underpinnings. The video delves into the British opium trade with China, the Opium Wars, and the subsequent shift in trade balance. It then discusses the 'scramble for Africa,' highlighting the role of industrialization, nationalism, and technological advancements like steamships and quinine in facilitating European colonization. The episode also touches on the complexities of European rule, often through indirect means and local collaborators, and the enduring impact of imperialism on the modern world.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The 19th century saw a significant rise in imperialism, especially by European powers, who sought to expand their empires for various economic and political reasons.
• 🌍 China, a major manufacturing power at the time, was heavily involved in world trade, primarily as an importer of silver, until the British introduced opium which disrupted the balance of trade.
• 💊 The opium trade led to the Opium Wars, where the British forced China to open up to trade through military might, resulting in China ceding Hong Kong and other concessions.
• 🛳️ Industrialization was a key factor in European imperialism, providing both the motive and the means for Europeans to establish colonies, securing raw materials for their growing economies.
• 🔫 Technological advancements, such as steamships, quinine medicine, and improved gun technology, including the Maxim machine gun, gave Europeans a significant military advantage over colonized peoples.
• 📜 The Treaty of Nanjing marked a significant shift in Sino-British relations, with Britain gaining Hong Kong and other benefits, while China lost sovereignty over European spheres of influence.
• 🌾 The Taiping Rebellion, one of the most destructive civil rebellions, contributed to the eventual dominance of Europeans, particularly the British, in China's economy.
• 🤝 European colonization often relied on indirect rule, using local rulers and collaborators to govern colonies, which was more efficient and less costly than direct rule.
• 🎖️ Despite technological disadvantages, some African rulers were able to successfully resist European imperialism, such as Menelik II of Ethiopia, who defeated the Italians in battle.
• 💼 The business aspect of imperialism, where industrialized nations pushed economic integration upon developing nations and extracted value, is highlighted by the example of Khedive Ismail of Egypt.
• 🌐 The legacy of 19th-century imperialism continues to shape the modern world, influencing global trade patterns and the economic relationships between different regions.

Q & A

What was the primary method of trade between China and Europe in the 18th century?

In the 18th century, the primary method of trade between China and Europe involved Europeans using silver because they did not produce anything else that the Chinese wanted.

What was the Macartney Mission's objective in 1793?

The Macartney Mission's objective in 1793 was to negotiate better trade conditions with China, but it ultimately failed.

What was the Qianlong Emperor's response to the British regarding trade?

The Qianlong Emperor responded to the British by stating that the Chinese empire possessed everything in abundance and lacked no product within its borders, indicating no need for significant trade changes.

How did the British exploit the Chinese market in the 1830s?

In the 1830s, the British exploited the Chinese market by flooding it with opium, which threatened China's favorable balance of trade and created a significant number of drug addicts.

What was Commissioner Lin Zexu's drafted response to the British trade practices?

Commissioner Lin Zexu drafted a stern letter that included a threat to cut off trade in valuable Chinese products such as rhubarb, silk, and tea, although this letter was never actually sent.

Why did the British demand compensation and access to Chinese territory after the Chinese confiscated British opium?

The British demanded compensation and access to Chinese territory to carry out their trade because the confiscation of opium disrupted their lucrative drug trade.

What was the outcome of the Chinese counterattack in 1842 against British gunships?

The Chinese counterattack in 1842, which included a plan to catapult flaming monkeys onto British ships, was unsuccessful, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing.

What did the Treaty of Nanjing result in for Britain and China?

The Treaty of Nanjing resulted in Britain gaining Hong Kong and five other treaty ports, as well as a substantial indemnity in cash, while China essentially gave up all sovereignty to European spheres of influence.

What was the primary reason for the European colonization of Africa in the 19th century?

The primary reason for the European colonization of Africa was industrialization, which created a need for securing sources of raw materials such as cotton, copper, iron, and rubber.

How did the Taiping Rebellion impact the economic power dynamics in China?

The Taiping Rebellion was one of the most destructive civil rebellions in Chinese history, and its aftermath allowed Europeans, especially the British, to become the dominant economic power in China.

What technological advancements enabled Europeans to successfully colonize Africa in the late 19th century?

Technological advancements such as steam ships, quinine medicine for disease prevention, and improved gun technology, including the Maxim machine gun, enabled Europeans to successfully colonize Africa.

How did European colonizers typically rule their colonies?

European colonizers typically ruled their colonies through indirect rule, relying on local governments and leaders, and exerting control over them, which was often easier, cheaper, and involved less risk of disease.

What was the role of indigenous rulers in the context of European imperialism?

Indigenous rulers often retained real power and were not simply puppets. They maintained their prestige and power to some extent, and some even gained advantages such as access to European education.

Why did some African rulers successfully resist European imperialism?

Some African rulers were able to successfully resist European imperialism by effectively adapting European technology and military tactics, as exemplified by Ethiopia's Menelik II, who defeated the Italians in battle.

What was the consequence of Khedive Ismail's ambitions for Egypt?

Khedive Ismail's ambitions led to financial troubles due to excessive borrowing, which resulted in Britain taking control over Egypt's finances and its shares in the Suez Canal, eventually leading to a full-scale British intervention.

How did the legacy of imperialism shape the modern world's economic landscape?

The legacy of imperialism shaped the modern world's economic landscape by establishing patterns of trade and economic integration, affecting the origins of commodities such as bananas, call centers, and chocolate, and influencing the global distribution of manufacturing.