Imperialism In-class Essay

Villalobos 

  World History  Test: New Imperialism Unit 

2008‐09 

Test Format: In‐class essay.  Use a 5‐paragrapgh essay format.  Begin with Introduction with a clear and specific thesis  which includes your three points/arguments; followed by three (3) supporting/body paragraphs which include analysis  and descriptive details with examples, and conclude with a conclusion.  You may use your notes for in‐class essay—they  will be reviewed day of test.  Possible Essay Questions:  1. Why and how do the western European powers justify their presence in Africa and other imperial acquisitions? 2. Why did imperialism lead to increased tensions among the industrialized powers of Europe? 3. Read the following excerpts. Why or why not do these quotes reflect the concept of Social Darwinism and nationalism and their roles in imperialism? Jules Ferry, “On French Colonial Expansion”: “Gentlemen, we must speak more loudly and more honestly! We must say openly that indeed the higher races have a right over the lower races…They have the duty to civilize the inferior races…In the history of earlier centuries these duties, gentlemen, have often been misunderstood; and certainly when the Spanish soldiers and explorers introduced slavery into Central America, they did not fulfill their duty as men of a higher race…But, in our time, I maintain that European nations acquit themselves with generosity, with grandeur, and with sincerity of the superior civilizing duty.” Joseph Chamberlain, British State Secretary 1897 “What is that conception? As regards the self-governing colonies we no longer talk of them as dependencies. The sense of possession has given place to the sense of kinship. We think and speak of them as part of ourselves, as part of the British Empire, united to us, although they may be dispersed throughout the world, by ties of kindred, of religion, of history, and of language, and joined to us by the seas that formerly seemed to divide us. But the British Empire is not confined to the self-governing colonies and the United Kingdom. It includes a much greater area, a much more numerous population in tropical climes, where no considerable European settlement is possible, and where the native population must always outnumber the white inhabitants; and in these cases also the same change has come over the Imperial idea. Here also the sense of possession has given place to a different sentiment --the sense of obligation. We feel now that our rule over these territories can only be justified if we can show that it adds to the happiness and prosperity of the people, and I maintain that our rule does, and has, brought security and peace and comparative prosperity to countries that never knew these blessings before. “ Rudyard Kipling, The White Man’s Burden, 1899 Take up the White Man's burden-The savage wars of peace-Fill full the mouth of Famine And bid the sickness cease; And when your goal is nearest The end for others sought, Watch sloth and heathen Folly Bring all your hopes to nought. 4. What were the causes of “new imperialism” and why or why not was western imperialism successful? Include definition of new imperialism. 5. Compare and contrast the kinds of imperialism, beginning with indirect and direct imperialism. Include, colony, protectorate, and sphere of influence and specific examples.