Imperialism: Crash Course World History #35
TLDRThe video discusses 19th century European imperialism and how industrialization provided the means and motive for Europe to colonize Africa and parts of Asia. It covers Britain's opium trade with China, the Treaty of Nanjing, the scramble for Africa, how technology like steamships and machine guns allowed Europeans to conquer foreign lands, the system of indirect rule, resistance by groups like the Maori, Egypt's increasing debt and British takeover, and the complicated legacy of imperialism on trade and economies today.
Takeaways
- π Europeans wanted colonies in Africa to secure raw materials like cotton and rubber for their industrial economies.
- π¨βπΌ Europeans ruled colonies indirectly through intermediaries and collaborators like local rulers.
- πββοΈ Superior military technology like steamships and machine guns enabled Europeans to conquer Africa.
- π· Diseases like malaria prevented early European colonization of Africa.
- π° Business imperialism focused on economic exploitation of developing nations.
- π« Imperialism shaped exports of commodities like bananas, chocolate and tea.
- π« Resistance by groups like the Maori showed imperialism wasn't straightforward.
- π Khedive Ismail's borrowing for projects like an opera house bankrupted Egypt.
- π‘ Opium trade and unequal treaties weakened China and led to conflict.
- π Chinese general Yijing had an unused battle plan involving flaming monkeys.
Q & A
What was the response of the Qianlong Emperor to the British request for better trade conditions?
-The Qianlong Emperor responded that China already possessed all things in abundance within its borders and did not need anything from the British merchants. He stated that trade had been conducted through Canton for years and saw no need to change the procedures.
How did the British initially respond when China confiscated British opium?
-The British responded by demanding compensation and access to Chinese territory where they could continue their opium trade. When China did not agree, the British sent in gunships and opened trade with Canton by force.
What technological developments enabled the European colonization of Africa in the late 19th century?
-Key technological developments included steam ships, which allowed travel into Africa's interior via rivers; quinine medicine to help prevent malaria; and greatly improved guns and weapons like the Maxim machine gun, which gave Europeans a decisive military advantage.
How were the Europeans able to rule large colonies with relatively few administrators?
-The Europeans relied heavily on indirect rule, governing through existing native rulers and elites. This allowed control with less cost and fewer Europeans exposed to the dangers of disease and conflict.
Why did some native rulers cooperate with Imperial powers?
-Reasons included retaining prestige and power, gaining access to European education, and the practicality of avoiding conflict. The alternative of resisting often did not end well given the military might of the Europeans.
What allowed Menelik II of Ethiopia to successfully resist Italian colonization?
-Menelik II was able to adopt European military technology and defeat Italian forces, securing independence and his own empire. This demonstrated African rulers could sometimes embrace modernization and still resist colonization.
How did modernization contribute to the British takeover of Egypt?
-Egypt's ruler Ismail borrowed heavily from Britain and France to fund projects like the Suez Canal. The debt led Britain to take control of Egypt's finances and eventually occupy the country to protect its interests.
What is business imperialism?
-Business imperialism refers to industrialized nations pushing economic integration with developing nations in order to extract value, often by establishing political control. It was a major driver behind colonization.
What were some lasting impacts of 19th century imperialism?
-Impacts include the economic exploitation of colonies for cheap raw materials and labor, control over strategic assets like the Suez Canal, and the shaping of global trade networks that persist today.
How might the legacy of imperialism still be seen today?
-The legacy can be seen in ongoing economic dependence of former colonies, persistent global inequality, immigration flows from former colonies, and many current political conflicts which have roots in imperial territorial disputes.
Outlines
π Europeans Try and Mostly Fail to Colonize China
Paragraph 1 discusses early attempts by Europeans like the British to improve trade and establish more control in China in the 18th-19th centuries. These largely failed due to Chinese disinterest and military strength. Eventually the British found opium as a product to sell to China, leading to the Opium Wars in the 1830s-40s and the establishment of European spheres of influence.
π€― European Imperialism in Africa Enabled by Technology
Paragraph 2 explains why European colonization of Africa accelerated in the late 19th century after earlier failures. Key enabling technologies included steamships, quinine for malaria prevention, and most importantly rapid-fire guns like the Maxim gun which gave military advantage.
π Europeans Rule Colonies Through Local Elites
Paragraph 3 discusses the European approach of indirect rule in their colonies, governing large territories with limited manpower through alliances with local kings, princes, and elites. This was often mutually convenient and prevented costly conflict.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘imperialism
π‘Opium Wars
π‘gunboat diplomacy
π‘spheres of influence
π‘Taiping Rebellion
π‘maxim gun
π‘indirect rule
π‘Suez Canal
π‘business imperialism
π‘nationalizing project
Highlights
Europeans wanted colonies to secure sources of raw materials, especially cotton, copper, iron, and rubber
Steam ships made it possible for Europeans to travel inland, bringing supplies and personnel via Africa's navigable rivers
Most important technology that enabled Europeans to dominate Africa was guns. By the 19th century, European gun technology had improved dramatically
European imperialism involved a lot of fighting and a lot of dying
Africans did not meekly acquiesce to European hegemony: they resisted, often violently, but ultimately they were defeated
By the end of the 19th century, most of Africa and much of Asia had been colonized by European powers
In most cases, Europeans ruled their colonies with the help of, and sometimes completely through, intermediaries and collaborators
Many native rulers were able to gain advantages through their service to Europeans, like access to European education
Alternative to collaborating was to resist European rule, and that usually didn't work out well
Business imperialism really at the heart of the imperialistic impulse. Industrialized nations push economic integration and then extract value
As western corporations grew in latter 19th century, their influence grew as well, both in their home countries and in colonized lands
Complicated legacy of imperialism survives. It's why bananas are cheap, chocolate from Africa, everything else from China
These imperialistic adventures may have only lasted a century, but it was the century in which the world as we know it today began to take shape
Technology was key factor enabling European imperialism and colonization of Africa and Asia
Europeans largely ruled colonies indirectly through existing power structures rather than direct administration
Transcripts
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