IDEAS that Justified IMPERIALISM [AP World History Review—Unit 6 Topic 1]

Summary

This video explores the second wave of imperialism during the period 1750-1900, driven by new ideologies. It delves into four key motivations: nationalism, scientific racism, social Darwinism, and the civilizing mission. Nationalism fueled European imperial rivalry, while scientific racism justified the domination of 'inferior' races. Social Darwinism applied the idea of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, endorsing imperialism as a natural process. Finally, the civilizing mission portrayed Western societies as obligated to 'uplift' other cultures. The video highlights how these ideologies shaped the imperial powers' expansionist actions during this period.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nationalism became a major driving force for imperialism in the second wave (1750-1900), emphasizing a sense of unity among people based on shared culture, language, and religion.
• 😀 Prior to the 19th century, people viewed themselves as subjects of monarchs or rulers, but nationalism shifted loyalties toward one's nation rather than a sovereign.
• 😀 Nationalism spurred rivalries between imperial powers as nations expanded their empires to gain prestige and prove their strength on the global stage.
• 😀 Scientific racism emerged during the second wave of imperialism, where pseudo-sciences were used to claim the superiority of the white race over others.
• 😀 Phrenology, the study of skull shape and size, was used to 'prove' that white Europeans were biologically superior to other races.
• 😀 Social Darwinism applied the principles of natural selection to human societies, with imperial powers justifying their dominance by claiming their ways were 'most fit' to survive in the global environment.
• 😀 Social Darwinists believed that Western industrial societies were the most successful and, therefore, had the right to conquer weaker nations.
• 😀 The civilizing mission was an ideology that portrayed Western powers as having a duty to bring 'superior' culture, religion, and education to 'inferior' nations.
• 😀 Imperial powers used the civilizing mission to justify the suppression of indigenous cultures, forcing the spread of Christianity and Western-style education.
• 😀 The second wave of imperialism (1750-1900) was driven by a combination of economic, political, and cultural motivations, with ideologies like nationalism, scientific racism, social Darwinism, and the civilizing mission fueling the expansion of European empires.

Q & A

What was the main shift in ideologies that led to the second wave of imperialism between 1750 and 1900?

The second wave of imperialism was motivated by several new ideologies, including nationalism, scientific racism, social Darwinism, and the civilizing mission. These ideologies emerged in part due to the Industrial Revolution and the spread of Enlightenment ideas, which altered how European powers viewed their roles in the world.

How did nationalism contribute to the second wave of imperialism?

Nationalism fostered a sense of unity among people based on shared language, religion, and customs. This led to the desire for self-rule and the consolidation of states, such as the unification of Italy and Germany. Nationalism also stoked competition between European powers, motivating them to expand their empires to assert their dominance and power.

What is scientific racism, and how did it influence imperialism?

Scientific racism was the belief that humans could be hierarchically ranked based on race, with white Europeans considered superior. This idea was legitimized by pseudo-science, like phrenology, which claimed that the physical characteristics of different races proved their superiority. This ideology justified European imperial conquests as a 'civilizing mission' for supposedly inferior races.

How did phrenology contribute to scientific racism?

Phrenology, the study of skull shapes and sizes, was used to 'prove' that white people had larger skulls and, therefore, were biologically superior to other races. This pseudo-scientific approach helped reinforce racist ideologies and justify the imperial domination of non-European peoples.

What role did social Darwinism play in imperialism?

Social Darwinism applied the principles of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to human societies, arguing that just as the 'fittest' species survive in nature, the 'fittest' nations should dominate weaker ones. This ideology provided a rationale for European imperial powers to conquer and control territories around the world.

What is the civilizing mission, and how did it justify imperialism?

The civilizing mission was the belief that Western powers had a duty to bring 'civilization' to 'lower' societies, including spreading Christianity, Western education, and governance. This ideological justification portrayed imperialism as a benevolent endeavor, aimed at 'improving' the lives of colonized people.

How did Enlightenment ideas conflict with the practice of imperialism during this period?

Enlightenment ideas emphasized liberty, self-rule, and human rights, which conflicted with the reality of imperialism, where European powers dominated and controlled other regions. Despite this, European nations continued to expand their empires, often rationalizing their actions through ideologies like nationalism and social Darwinism.

What was the impact of nationalism on European state-building during the second wave of imperialism?

Nationalism drove the unification of Italy and Germany, as people sought to form consolidated, independent states based on shared identity. This new sense of national unity and pride also fueled imperial ambitions, as European powers sought to expand their empires to assert their dominance and gain international prestige.

What was the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and the ideologies that fueled imperialism?

The Industrial Revolution provided European powers with the technological and economic means to expand their empires, such as steamships and advanced weaponry. The success of industrialized nations also bolstered the belief that Western societies were superior and justified the exploitation of non-industrialized regions.

How did the concept of race shift during the second wave of imperialism?

Race was increasingly seen as a biological hierarchy during this period, with scientific racism attempting to justify the belief that certain races were naturally superior to others. This pseudo-science was used to rationalize the domination and exploitation of non-European peoples, contributing to the justifications for imperialism.