European Domination - York University · SC/NATS 1510, European Domination 17 Dutch Techniques Followed Elsewhere ¾Especially England zIn the 17th century in the Fens, large landowners

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11SC/NATS 1510, European DominationSC/NATS 1510, European Domination

European DominationEuropean Domination


The Formation of the Modern The Formation of the Modern World World

The Modern World as we know it is the The Modern World as we know it is the result of the rise of Europe to dominance result of the rise of Europe to dominance across the globe.across the globe.Divisible into two phases:Divisible into two phases:

Internal expansionInternal expansionExternal colonizationExternal colonization

Together these transformed Europe from Together these transformed Europe from one of the more backward societies in the one of the more backward societies in the world into the most advanced.world into the most advanced.


Internal Expansion Internal Expansion For most of history, Europe was For most of history, Europe was a backwater.a backwater.

An exception being the An exception being the Mediterranean area.Mediterranean area.

Hunting and gathering groups Hunting and gathering groups settled Europe only settled Europe only intermittently.intermittently.

In last Ice Age, when people in SW In last Ice Age, when people in SW France were producing their great France were producing their great cave paintings, local population cave paintings, local population was about 10,000.was about 10,000.Maybe 100,000 in all of Europe, Maybe 100,000 in all of Europe, about 5% of world population then.about 5% of world population then.

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Mediterranean Focus Mediterranean Focus

Agriculture was developed outside of Europe Agriculture was developed outside of Europe and only moved there thousands of years later.and only moved there thousands of years later.

Even then it remained concentrated in the Even then it remained concentrated in the Mediterranean area: Mediterranean area:

•• Minoan CreteMinoan Crete•• MycenaeMycenae•• Greek cityGreek city--statesstates•• AlexanderAlexander’’s empires empire•• EtruscansEtruscans•• Carthaginians.Carthaginians.


Expansion with Roman Empire Expansion with Roman Empire With the rise of Rome, more advanced societies With the rise of Rome, more advanced societies moved into northern and western Europe.moved into northern and western Europe.

At the height of the Roman Empire, about 200 CE, the At the height of the Roman Empire, about 200 CE, the total population of Europe was about 28 million.total population of Europe was about 28 million.

•• Compare that with 50 million in both China and India.Compare that with 50 million in both China and India.•• Even so, Even so, ¼¼ lived in Italylived in Italy——the centre of the empire.the centre of the empire.

When Roman Empire collapsed, control of north and When Roman Empire collapsed, control of north and west of Europe was lost to invading tribes.west of Europe was lost to invading tribes.

•• Advanced civilization retreated again to the Mediterranean: Advanced civilization retreated again to the Mediterranean: Italy, Greece, ByzantiumItaly, Greece, Byzantium


Rise of Islam Rise of Islam

When Islam arose in the 7th and 8th centuries, it quickly becameWhen Islam arose in the 7th and 8th centuries, it quickly became the the most sophisticated and advanced civilization in the western worlmost sophisticated and advanced civilization in the western world.d.Northern and western Europe remained backward.Northern and western Europe remained backward.

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Charlemagne Charlemagne The first substantial attempt The first substantial attempt to pull Europe back to pull Europe back together came in the time of together came in the time of CharlemagneCharlemagne’’s Holy s Holy Roman Empire, around Roman Empire, around 800.800.

It was shortIt was short--lived. After lived. After CharlemagneCharlemagne’’s death, the s death, the invading tribes returned.invading tribes returned.But a foundation for later But a foundation for later advance may have been laid.advance may have been laid.


Transformation of Europe Transformation of Europe

The first huge expansion occurred The first huge expansion occurred between 1000between 1000--1300.1300.

A huge increase in population from 36 million A huge increase in population from 36 million to 80 million.to 80 million.Made possible by improved farming Made possible by improved farming techniques (crop rotation and the heavy techniques (crop rotation and the heavy plough).plough).And by the warmer climate between 800 and And by the warmer climate between 800 and 1200.1200.


Clear the Forests Clear the Forests In order to provide more land for farming, forests In order to provide more land for farming, forests were cleared.were cleared.

The natural ecosystem of most of northern and The natural ecosystem of most of northern and western Europe was temperate forests.western Europe was temperate forests.In early stages, the In early stages, the swiddenswidden system was used:system was used:

•• Slash and burn to clear an area.Slash and burn to clear an area.•• Cultivate that for several years until its productivity declinedCultivate that for several years until its productivity declined..•• Then move on to another area, allowing the first area to Then move on to another area, allowing the first area to

revert to secondary growth and then to forest over several revert to secondary growth and then to forest over several decades.decades.

•• Same ground used 4 times per century.Same ground used 4 times per century.

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Forest Clearance Uneven Forest Clearance Uneven

The amount of forest that was cleared The amount of forest that was cleared varied widely across Europe. varied widely across Europe.

Places with high population density required Places with high population density required greater clearance.greater clearance.Forests were also cleared rapidly to provide Forests were also cleared rapidly to provide charcoal for blast furnaces.charcoal for blast furnaces.By 1200, most of the best soils of western By 1200, most of the best soils of western Europe had been cleared of forest.Europe had been cleared of forest.•• New settlements were forced into marginal areas New settlements were forced into marginal areas

of heavy clay or sandy soil.of heavy clay or sandy soil.


Eastern Europe Eastern Europe In eastern Europe, colonization was by In eastern Europe, colonization was by Germanic people moving into lands occupied by Germanic people moving into lands occupied by Slavs.Slavs.

The Slavs had practiced The Slavs had practiced swiddenswidden agriculture, with agriculture, with emphasis on animal rearing.emphasis on animal rearing.The Germans moved in with the heavy plough and The Germans moved in with the heavy plough and cleared vast stretches of forest.cleared vast stretches of forest.German policy was one of deliberate development.German policy was one of deliberate development.

•• Quote from the 13th century abbot of Quote from the 13th century abbot of FellarichFellarich, one of the , one of the German settlements: German settlements: ““I believe that the forest which adjoins I believe that the forest which adjoins FellarichFellarich covers the land to no purpose, and hold this to be covers the land to no purpose, and hold this to be an unbearable harm.an unbearable harm.””


Sudden Halt to Internal Sudden Halt to Internal Colonization Colonization

Around 1300, the expansion into new land Around 1300, the expansion into new land and the growth of the population came to a and the growth of the population came to a halt.halt.

Partly due to the deteriorating climate.Partly due to the deteriorating climate.Also the population had reached a level Also the population had reached a level where it was at the limit of what the where it was at the limit of what the agricultural system could sustain.agricultural system could sustain.In midIn mid--century, the Black Death arrived and century, the Black Death arrived and decimated the population by 1/3 to decimated the population by 1/3 to ½½..•• Many villages abandoned and never reoccupied.Many villages abandoned and never reoccupied.

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Transformation of the European Transformation of the European LandscapeLandscape

In addition to the serious loss of climax In addition to the serious loss of climax forests, Europe was transformed by the forests, Europe was transformed by the draining of marshes and fens, and draining of marshes and fens, and reclamation of land from the sea.reclamation of land from the sea.

The earliest drainage projects were The earliest drainage projects were undertaken by the Romans, in Italy and in the undertaken by the Romans, in Italy and in the provinces.provinces.


HollandHolland

In the Netherlands a difficult and extensive In the Netherlands a difficult and extensive project to reclaim land from the sea project to reclaim land from the sea produced excellent, fertile, flat, and stoneproduced excellent, fertile, flat, and stone--free soil.free soil.

A response to the steadily rising population A response to the steadily rising population and need for more agricultural land.and need for more agricultural land.In 16th century, the Dutch began process of In 16th century, the Dutch began process of draining the hinterlands.draining the hinterlands.


Capital Intensive Projects Capital Intensive Projects Internal drainage more complex Internal drainage more complex than reclamation from the sea.than reclamation from the sea.

Required large amounts of capital to Required large amounts of capital to build windmills to do the pumping build windmills to do the pumping necessary to lower the water table.necessary to lower the water table.Draining of Lake Draining of Lake BeemsterBeemster in 1612 in 1612 required 43 windmills to drain 13 ft required 43 windmills to drain 13 ft deep, 25 sq. mile expanse. deep, 25 sq. mile expanse. Produced 17,000 acres of fertile Produced 17,000 acres of fertile land.land.

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Netherlands Project Continued Netherlands Project Continued over 100s of years over 100s of years

Nearly 400,000 acres reclaimed between Nearly 400,000 acres reclaimed between 1550 and 1650.1550 and 1650.Some projects took centuries to complete.Some projects took centuries to complete.Process continues at present in the Process continues at present in the Netherlands.Netherlands.About 2 million acres of land have been About 2 million acres of land have been created since the 13th century.created since the 13th century.

40% of the present country is below sea level.40% of the present country is below sea level.


Dutch Techniques Followed Dutch Techniques Followed ElsewhereElsewhere

Especially EnglandEspecially EnglandIn the 17th century in the Fens, large In the 17th century in the Fens, large landowners were given extensive powers to landowners were given extensive powers to reclaim land, override the rights of other, reclaim land, override the rights of other, smaller landowners and suppress common smaller landowners and suppress common rights.rights.•• Inhabitants made responsible for upkeep of the Inhabitants made responsible for upkeep of the

new works.new works.A large scale development to drain the Fens A large scale development to drain the Fens was supervised by the Dutch engineer, was supervised by the Dutch engineer, VermuydenVermuyden..


VermuydenVermuyden’’ss Project Project

New canals dug to drain the Fens.

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Diversion of the Diversion of the OuseOuse

The Great Ouse River


Diversion of the Diversion of the OuseOuse, 2, 2

Diverted for 21 miles. Longest artificial watercourse built since Roman times.


Ecological Disaster Ecological Disaster

No allowance had been made for the shrinkage No allowance had been made for the shrinkage of the peat once the water had been removed.of the peat once the water had been removed.

Result: The ground level sank to below the level of Result: The ground level sank to below the level of the rivers.the rivers.Around the Wash, where the rivers and drainage Around the Wash, where the rivers and drainage canals emptied, the coastline was extended by three canals emptied, the coastline was extended by three miles from the build up of silt.miles from the build up of silt.

Many other drainage schemes, some also Many other drainage schemes, some also supervised by supervised by VermuydenVermuyden, failed and were , failed and were abandoned or had unexpected results.abandoned or had unexpected results.

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Relative Status of Europe as a Relative Status of Europe as a World Power World Power

Despite its population rise and the expansion of Despite its population rise and the expansion of settled area and building of infrastructure, by the settled area and building of infrastructure, by the late 14th century, Europe was still a relatively late 14th century, Europe was still a relatively backward region in the Old World.backward region in the Old World.

China was the most populous and advanced country China was the most populous and advanced country in the world.in the world.The Islamic states in the Mediterranean and Near The Islamic states in the Mediterranean and Near East were culturally far in advance of Europe.East were culturally far in advance of Europe.

•• And were soon to be revitalized under the Ottoman Empire.And were soon to be revitalized under the Ottoman Empire.•• The Crusades were short lived and had little effect on Islam.The Crusades were short lived and had little effect on Islam.


Competitors: The Mongols Competitors: The Mongols

In the 13th century the invading Mongol tribes had In the 13th century the invading Mongol tribes had overrun most of Asia and nearly invaded western overrun most of Asia and nearly invaded western Europe. They were soon to rule the most extensive Europe. They were soon to rule the most extensive empire in the world.empire in the world.


Competitors: The Ottoman Turks Competitors: The Ottoman Turks

The Ottoman Turks destroyed the last of the Byzantine The Ottoman Turks destroyed the last of the Byzantine Empire and united the Islamic world around a large part Empire and united the Islamic world around a large part of the Mediterranean.of the Mediterranean.

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Competitors: ChinaCompetitors: China

In the early 15th century, China was exploring In the early 15th century, China was exploring westwards, as far as the east of Africa in huge ships, far westwards, as far as the east of Africa in huge ships, far larger than any used by Europeans.larger than any used by Europeans.


Solution: Go West Solution: Go West Any of these seemed Any of these seemed much more likely to much more likely to expand their empires expand their empires than the relatively than the relatively disorganized Europeans.disorganized Europeans.But with their newly But with their newly developed oceandeveloped ocean--going going ships the Caravel and the ships the Caravel and the Carrack, Europeans Carrack, Europeans could venture westward could venture westward across the Atlantic, where across the Atlantic, where they would meet little they would meet little resistance.resistance.


The Aztec and the Inca The Aztec and the Inca

When Spanish explorers invaded the Caribbean and When Spanish explorers invaded the Caribbean and then Central America at the beginning of the 16th then Central America at the beginning of the 16th century, they encountered the Aztec and Inca empires.century, they encountered the Aztec and Inca empires.

Technologically, these were 3000 years behind the Europeans.Technologically, these were 3000 years behind the Europeans.Conquest was easy, despite being vastly outnumbered.Conquest was easy, despite being vastly outnumbered.

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Europe Colonizes the World Europe Colonizes the World

Europeans spread outward to the rest of Europeans spread outward to the rest of the world over the next several hundred the world over the next several hundred years and rapidly gained dominance.years and rapidly gained dominance.


Europe Colonizes the World, 2Europe Colonizes the World, 2

Phase 1 (1500Phase 1 (1500--1700)1700)Spanish and Portuguese conquests of Central Spanish and Portuguese conquests of Central and South America.and South America.British and French settlement of North British and French settlement of North America.America.Extension of trade along the African coast and Extension of trade along the African coast and into the Indian Ocean and southinto the Indian Ocean and south--east Asia.east Asia.


Europe Colonizes the World, 3 Europe Colonizes the World, 3

Phase 2 (1750Phase 2 (1750--1850)1850)British defeat French for control of Indian British defeat French for control of Indian subcontinent.subcontinent.Growing trade between Europe and ChinaGrowing trade between Europe and ChinaSettlement of Australia and New Zealand.Settlement of Australia and New Zealand.

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Europe Colonizes the World, 4Europe Colonizes the World, 4

Phase 3 (1850Phase 3 (1850-- ))Europeans dicker over control of Africa.Europeans dicker over control of Africa.France and Britain establish control over the France and Britain establish control over the Near East.Near East.European settlement all over the globe.European settlement all over the globe.


Clash of Cultures Clash of Cultures

As Europeans moved in, they crushed the As Europeans moved in, they crushed the local cultures they found.local cultures they found.

Exceptions were the longExceptions were the long--established, established, advanced cultures, such as India and China.advanced cultures, such as India and China.•• Even they succumbed to political, military, and Even they succumbed to political, military, and

economic power.economic power.


Clash of Cultures, 2Clash of Cultures, 2

Those who suffered most were the less Those who suffered most were the less developed societies, the hunterdeveloped societies, the hunter--gatherer gatherer societies and those in a primitive state of societies and those in a primitive state of agriculture.agriculture.

Native peoples everywhere lost their land, Native peoples everywhere lost their land, livelihood, independence, culture, health, and livelihood, independence, culture, health, and often, their lives.often, their lives.Europeans embodied an overwhelming urge Europeans embodied an overwhelming urge to exploit land and people.to exploit land and people.

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Example: Santo DomingoExample: Santo Domingo

One of the first islands discovered by Columbus.One of the first islands discovered by Columbus.At time of the Spanish conquest the population was one million. At time of the Spanish conquest the population was one million. Within 40 years, after intense exploitation, slavery and many Within 40 years, after intense exploitation, slavery and many deaths, there were only a few hundred natives left.deaths, there were only a few hundred natives left.


European Values Everywhere European Values Everywhere Wherever Europeans expanded, the native Wherever Europeans expanded, the native peoplepeople’’s culture disappeared or was pushed to s culture disappeared or was pushed to the background.the background.

Convinced of their inherent superiority, Europeans did Convinced of their inherent superiority, Europeans did not hesitate to obliterate any cultural practices they not hesitate to obliterate any cultural practices they found, to use the indigenous people as subhuman found, to use the indigenous people as subhuman labourlabour, and to willfully extract the natural resources , and to willfully extract the natural resources found.found.Among the European values imposed all over the Among the European values imposed all over the world are longworld are long--standing ideas about the relationship standing ideas about the relationship between humans and the rest of life on Earth.between humans and the rest of life on Earth.

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European Domination - York University · SC/NATS 1510, European Domination 17 Dutch Techniques Followed Elsewhere ¾Especially England zIn the 17th century in the Fens, large landowners