Imperialism

European Conquests in Southeast Asia

imperialism: the extension of a nation’s power over other lands◦ includes political, economic & military power

1. economic motives◦ markets for raw materials & the sale of manufactured goods

2. competition for global power & influence◦ colonies were a source of national pride & prestige

3. belief in cultural & racial superiority◦ Social Darwinism

4. moral responsibility (humanitarian goals)◦ spread Christianity◦ spread the benefits of Western democracy & capitalism◦ the “white man’s burden” - Kipling

I. Justifications for Imperialism

Take up the White Man’s burden—Send forth the best ye breed—Go send your sons to exileTo serve your captives' needTo wait in heavy harnessOn fluttered folk and wild—Your new-caught, sullen peoples,Half devil and half child

Take up the White Man’s burdenIn patience to abideTo veil the threat of terrorAnd check the show of pride;By open speech and simpleAn hundred times made plainTo seek another’s profitAnd work another’s gain

Take up the White Man’s burden—And reap his old reward:The blame of those ye betterThe hate of those ye guard—The cry of hosts ye humour(Ah slowly) to the light:"Why brought ye us from bondage,“Our loved Egyptian night?”

Take up the White Man’s burden-Have done with childish days-The lightly proffered laurel,The easy, ungrudged praise.Comes now, to search your manhoodThrough all the thankless years,Cold-edged with dear-bought

wisdom,The judgment of your peers!

Rudyard Kipling, “The White Man’s Burden: The United States & The Philippine Islands, 1899.” Rudyard Kipling’s Verse: Definitive Edition (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1929).

review – the Age of Discovery◦ in 1800, only the Philippines (Spain) & the Dutch East Indies

were colonized; by 1900, the entire region was under Western control

◦ see map, p. 649 Great Britain

◦ colonized Singapore in 1819; became a major trade port◦ also gained control of Burma (Myanmar)

France◦ began to colonize Vietnam by the mid-19th century; the process

was complete by the 1880s◦ French Indochina – the name for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,

Annam & Tonkin◦ Vietnam was a French protectorate: a political unit that depends

upon another govt. for its protection

II. Target – Southeast Asia

United States◦ the U.S. joined the race for imperialism rather late

during most of the 19th century, the Americans concentrated on conquering their own continent

◦ gained control of the Philippines in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War

◦ important for trade with China & the Far East Thailand (Siam) remained independent

◦ maintained friendly relations with the major European powers in the region

indirect rule: local rulers maintained their positions of authority and status within the new colonial setting◦ cooperation with the local political elites◦ a cheaper form of colonial control◦ less effect on local culture

direct rule: officials (brought in from the mother country) controlled the local government◦ used when local elites actively resisted foreign control

economic control over the production of raw materials◦ did not want colonies to develop their own industries

III. Types of Rule

dissatisfaction with the loss of local control revolts at all levels of society

◦ upper class◦ middle class◦ peasant revolts

role of nationalism?◦ developed in the early 20th century◦ by the 1930s, began to push for national

independence

IV. Resistance