HISTÓRIA GERAL #21 IMPERIALISMO

Summary

This video explains the concept of imperialism, focusing on its origins, effects, and key historical events. The instructor discusses how European powers, driven by industrial capitalism, dominated regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Imperialism is explored through its various forms, including colonies, protectorates, and economic domination. The video also highlights justifications for imperialism, like Darwinism Social and Eugenics. Key events such as the Opium Wars, Boer War, and Sepoy Rebellion are mentioned, providing a detailed view of imperialist conflict. The instructor concludes by recommending Jules Verne's 'Around the World in 80 Days' to better understand British imperialism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Imperialism refers to the political, economic, and social domination of weaker regions by European powers, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries.
• 😀 The Industrial Revolution, particularly in England, played a crucial role in facilitating imperialism by providing the means for economic exploitation and control.
• 😀 Lenin described imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism, where capitalist nations expanded their influence beyond their borders to sustain economic growth.
• 😀 Imperialism was largely driven by the need for cheaper labor, new markets for industrial goods, and access to natural resources.
• 😀 There were various forms of imperialist domination, including colonies, protectorates, spheres of influence, and economic control.
• 😀 The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 formalized European powers' claims in Africa, leading to the 'Scramble for Africa' and its division among colonial powers.
• 😀 The justification for imperialism often relied on racial ideologies, such as Social Darwinism, which claimed that European societies were more 'evolved' and thus had the right to dominate others.
• 😀 The idea of a 'civilizing mission' was often used to legitimize imperialist actions, promoting the belief that European powers were bringing civilization to 'lesser' nations.
• 😀 Violent military domination was central to imperialism, as seen in conflicts like the Opium War, Boer War, and Sepoy Rebellion, all driven by imperialist ambitions.
• 😀 The speaker recommends reading *Around the World in 80 Days* by Jules Verne as a way to understand the imperialist mindset, particularly through the journey of an Englishman traveling through colonial territories.

Q & A

What is imperialism and how does it relate to the 19th and 20th centuries?

Imperialism refers to the domination of one country over others, particularly in terms of political, economic, and social control. In the 19th and 20th centuries, European powers expanded their influence, especially in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, using industrialization and military power to exert control over less-developed regions.

How did the Industrial Revolution contribute to imperialism?

The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of European industries, creating a demand for cheap raw materials and new markets. This encouraged European nations to expand their empires, seeking to control regions rich in resources and labor to fuel their industrial economies.

What is Vladimir Lenin's view on imperialism?

Vladimir Lenin viewed imperialism as a 'superior phase of capitalism.' According to him, capitalism, unable to sustain itself in its own region, expands into other territories, exploiting them economically and politically to further its growth.

What are some of the methods of domination used during imperialism?

Methods of domination included protectorates, where local leaders were controlled by the imperial power; colonies, where the imperial power directly ruled; spheres of influence, where local governments remained but were controlled economically and politically; and economic domination, where imperial powers influenced local economies through trade agreements and pressure.

What role did the Treaty of Berlin play in imperialism?

The Treaty of Berlin (1884) formalized the European powers' claims over Africa, establishing rules for the 'scramble for Africa.' It provided for the division of Africa into zones of influence and granted European powers control over African resources and territories.

What were the justifications for imperialism used by European powers?

European powers often justified imperialism with economic, political, and racial arguments, including the desire for wealth and resources, the belief in civilizing 'inferior' societies, and the social Darwinist view that European societies were superior and destined to dominate others.

How did social Darwinism influence imperialism?

Social Darwinism applied Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to societies, positing that some societies were more 'evolved' than others. This led to the belief that Europeans had a duty to dominate and 'civilize' less-developed peoples, reinforcing imperialist policies.

Can you give examples of imperialist conflicts?

Examples include the Opium War (1839-1842), where the British forced China to open its markets by selling opium, the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa over resource control, and the Sepoy Rebellion (1857) in India, where Indian soldiers resisted British rule.

How did imperialism impact Africa and its cultures?

Imperialism significantly altered Africa's cultural, political, and social landscape. European powers divided the continent arbitrarily, disregarding existing ethnic and tribal boundaries, leading to long-term instability, conflict, and the suppression of local cultures.

What literary work is recommended to understand imperialism, and how does it relate?

The recommended work is Jules Verne's 'Around the World in 80 Days.' The novel, written in 1878, follows an Englishman traveling through territories controlled by the British Empire, providing insight into how imperialism shaped global interactions and attitudes during the era.