Second Wave IMPERIALISM, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 7 Topic 6]

Summary

The second wave of European imperialism, focused on Africa and Asia, was driven by economic, political, and racial motivations. European powers sought raw materials for industry and new markets to sell their goods. Political competition led to the 'Scramble for Africa,' where nations raced to claim territory. Racial superiority, fueled by Social Darwinism, justified imperialism as a 'civilizing mission.' Technological advances, like superior weaponry, transportation, and medical breakthroughs, allowed Europeans to dominate and control vast territories. Ultimately, imperialism was seen as a way to spread Western culture, despite resistance from colonized peoples.

Takeaways

• 😀 European imperialism surged in the period starting around 1450, with a focus on Africa and Asia.
• 😀 Imperialism is defined as one country extending political dominance over another, and European motivations were economic, political, and racial.
• 😀 The first motivation for imperialism was economic, as industrializing European nations needed raw materials and new markets for their manufactured goods.
• 😀 The British government took control over India after the Sepoy Rebellion (1857), exploiting raw materials and opening new markets with 300 million Indians.
• 😀 In Africa, the British targeted resources like coal, oil, and copper, and later expanded to China, engaging in economic imperialism through the opium trade.
• 😀 To solve a trade imbalance with China, the British smuggled opium into the country, which led to the Opium Wars and increased British influence over China.
• 😀 The second motivation was political, as European nations, including Britain, France, and Belgium, competed for African territories, leading to the Scramble for Africa.
• 😀 The third motivation was racial superiority, underpinned by Social Darwinism, where Europeans justified imperialism as bringing 'civilization' to 'weaker' nations.
• 😀 Europeans believed their colonization was benevolent, with the 'civilizing mission' helping bring Western culture and technology to colonized peoples.
• 😀 Europeans had significant advantages over colonized nations, including advanced weapons, communication and transportation technologies, and medical advancements, which facilitated their domination.

Q & A

What motivated European countries to engage in imperialism during the second wave?

European imperialism was motivated by three main factors: economic gain (securing raw materials and markets), political competition among European nations, and a belief in racial superiority, particularly through social Darwinism.

What was the role of economic factors in European imperialism during the second wave?

Economic factors were crucial as European nations, especially during the Industrial Revolution, required raw materials like cotton, rubber, and iron. They also sought new markets to sell manufactured goods when domestic markets became saturated.

How did Britain use India to boost its economy?

After taking control of India post-Sepoy Rebellion, Britain exploited India for raw materials like cotton. Additionally, with a population of around 300 million, India became a vital market for British manufactured goods, increasing Britain's wealth.

Why did Britain focus on China for economic imperialism?

Britain faced a trade imbalance with China, as the British desired Chinese tea but there was little that the Chinese wanted in return. Instead of addressing this imbalance with innovative products, Britain smuggled opium into China, resulting in the Opium Wars.

What led to the Opium Wars between Britain and China?

The trade imbalance between Britain and China led to the British smuggling opium into China. The Chinese government attempted to stop this by destroying seized opium, which led to the First Opium War. A second war followed, forcing China to open up to British trade.

What was the Scramble for Africa?

The Scramble for Africa was a period when European nations, including Britain, France, and Belgium, aggressively competed to claim territories in Africa. This resulted in tensions among European powers as they raced to dominate unclaimed lands.

How did Europeans justify their imperialistic actions in Africa and Asia?

Europeans justified imperialism through the belief in racial superiority, often citing social Darwinism. They claimed that they were bringing civilization to 'weaker' nations, which was framed as a 'civilizing mission' to improve the lives of colonized peoples.

What was the White Man's Burden and how did it reflect European attitudes towards imperialism?

The White Man's Burden, a poem by Rudyard Kipling, expressed the idea that Europeans had a moral obligation to 'civilize' people in Africa and Asia. It reflected the belief that non-European societies were inferior and needed Western culture and governance.

What technological advantages did Europeans have over resistance movements in colonized regions?

Europeans had advanced weaponry, including rifled guns and machine guns, which were far superior to the technology of resistance forces. Additionally, they had superior transportation and communication methods, such as railroads and the telegraph, which facilitated military and administrative control.

How did advancements in medicine help European imperialism?

Advancements in medicine, particularly the discovery of quinine to prevent malaria, allowed Europeans to venture into the interior of Africa without the fear of disease. Additionally, the development of germ theory and antiseptics improved healthcare for European troops, increasing their survival rates.