Kenneth's Ch 33 Outline Pt 1

Kenneth Li Euro Hist. Period 6th 4-4-08 Ch. 33 pg. 921-932 I. Imperialism World War I A. Introduction 1) During the 2nd half of 19th century, Europe exercised unprecedented influence and control over rest of the world. i) Until 19th century, Asia and most of Africa had gone their own ways, having little contact with Europe. ii) By next century, European dominance had bought every part of globe into single world economy. 2) Developments might have been expected to lead greater prosperity and good fortune. i) Had treated Germany as harshly as Germany would have treated other countries. ii) Withdrawal of United States into a disdainful isolation from world affairs destroyed basis for keeping the peace on which hopes of Britain and France relied. II. Expansion of European Power and the “New Imperialism” 1) Explosive developments in 19th century science, technology, industry, agriculture, transportation, communication, and military weapons provided chief sources of European power. i) Institutional as well as material advantages allowed Westerners to have their own way. ii) Europeans also possessed another, less tangible weapon: belief that their civilization and way of life more superior than others. 2) Expansion of European influence wasn’t new. i) First half of century was generally hostile to colonial expansion. ii) However, doctrine of free trade was dominant and opposed political interference in other lands. 3) After 1870 European states swiftly spread control over perhaps 10 million square miles and 150 million people. i) 1/5 of world’s land area and 1/10 of population. A. The New Imperialism 1) Policy of extending nation’s authority by territorial acquisition or by establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations. i) New Imperialism introduced new devices. 2) Usual pattern of New Imperialism was for European nation to invest capital in “backward” country. i) If these arrangements proved inadequate dominant power established different degrees of political control ranging from full annexation as colony, to protectorate status. B. Motives for the New Imperialism: Economic Interpretation

1) Still no agreement about motives for New Imperialism. i) “Imperialism is monopoly stage of capitalism,” last stage of dying capitalist system. ii) Powerful industrial and financial capitalists soon run out of profitable areas of investment. 2) Facts do not support this viewpoint. i) European powers did invest considerable capital abroad, in model of Hobson and Lenin. ii) Only small percentage of British and European investment, overseas, moreover went to new colonial areas. 3) Facts are equally discouraging for those who emphasize the need for new markets and raw materials. i) It’s not even clear that control of new colonies was particularly profitable. ii) Economic motives certainly played a part, understanding New Imperialism requires search for further motives. C. Cultural, Religious, and Social Interpretations 1) Advocates of imperialism put forth various justifications for their practices. i) Few people were influenced by such arrogant arguments, although many shared intellectual assumptions behind them. ii) Politicians and diplomats argued for imperialism as tool of social policy iii) Another common and apparently plausible justification was that colonies would provide good place to settle surplus population. D. Strategic and Political Interpretations: The Scramble for Africa 1) Strategic and political considerations seem to have been more important in bringing on New Imperialism. i) Britain was only great power with extensive overseas holdings on even of the scramble. ii) It purchased a major interest in Suez Canal in 1875. 2) France became involved in North Africa in 1830 by sending naval expedition to Algeria to attack pirates leased there. i) By 1882 France was in full control of Algeria and had taken over Tanisia to keep out Italy. ii) By 1890s their intervention had led Britain to expand northward from the Cape of Good Hope into what is now Zimbabwe. iii) Motives were political as well as economic for they equated status as a great power with possession of colonies. 3) Bismarck appears to have pursued an imperial policy. i) In 1884-1885 Germany declared protectorates over southwestern Africa, Togoland, the Cameroons and East Africa. ii) German colonies in Africa could also be used to persuade British to be reasonable. E. The Irrational Element 1) Germany’s annexations started a wild scramble by other European powers to claim what was left of Africa.

i) Great powers and small expanded into areas neither profitable nor strategic for reasons less calculating and rational than Bismarck’s. 3) In Asia the emergence of Japan as great power with claims on China and Korea frightened other powers interested in China. i) Fearing that China, its markets, and its investment opportunities would soon be closed to its citizens. ii) Support of Britain helped with acceptance of policy by all powers except Russia. 4) United States had only recently emerged as force in international affairs. i) The Americans also purchased Philippine Islands and Guam, and Germany acquired the other Spanish islands in the Pacific. ii) What was left of Pacific Islands was soon taken by France and England. III. Emergence of the German Empire A. Formation of the Triple Alliance (1873-1890) 1) Prussia’s victories over Austria and France and creation of a large, powerful German Empire in 1971 revolutionized European diplomacy. 2) Balance of power created at Congress of Vienna was altered radically. i) French power and prestige were badly damaged by Franco-Prussian War and German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine. B. Bismarck’s Leadership (1873-1890) 1) Until 1890 Otto von Bismarck continued to guide German policy. i) He tried to assuage French resentment by cultivating friendly relations and by supporting French colonial aspirations. C. War in the Balkans 1) Bismarck’s first move was to establish Three Emperors’ League in 1873. i) League collapsed when Russia went to war with Turkey is 1877 as result of uprisings in Ottoman Balkan provinces. 2) Russia entered the fray and created a major international crisis. i) Russian intervention also reflected influence of Pan-Slavic movement, which sought to bring all Slavic peoples wider protection of Holy Mother Russia. 3) Before long Ottoman Empire was forced to ask for peace. i) But terms of Russian victory alarmed other great powers. ii) British were alarmed by damage Russian settlement would do to European balance of power and especially by possible Russian control of Durdanelles. D. Congress of Berlin 1) Even before San Stefano, Disraeli had sent a fleet to Constantinople. i) Resulting Congress of Berlin met in June and July of 1878 under presidency of Bismarck. 2) Decisions of Congress were a blow to Russian ambitions. i) Britain received Cyprus and France gained permission to occupy Tunisia. ii) Germany asked for nothing, but Russians were bitterly disappointed. 3) Major trouble spot now was in south Slavic states of Serbia and Montenegro

i) South Slavic question, no less than estrangement between Russia and Germany, was threat to peace of Europe. E. German Alliances with Russia and Austria 1) Bismarck could ignore Balkans, but not breach in his eastern alliance system. i) Resulting Dual Alliance provided that if either Germany or Austria attacked by Russia ally would help the attacked party. ii) Treaty was renewed every 5 years until 1918. 2) Bismarck was aware of these dangers but discounted them. 3) Bismarck expected news of Austro-German negotiations to frighten Russia into seeking closer relations with Germany. i) Russian diplomats soon approached him, and by 1881 had renewed Three Emperors’ League on firmer basis. F. The Triple Alliance 1) In 1882 Italy, ambitious for colonial expansion and annoyed by French preemption of Tunisia, asked to join Dual Alliance. i) France was isolated and no threat. ii) Although Three Emperors’ League was allowed to lapse, Triple Alliance was renewed for another 5 years in 1887.