Transcript Imperialism
Imperialism Great Civilizations fall on Hard Times Middle East Causes • Geopolitics - “The Great Game” – Showdown between Russia and Britain in the Middle East • Russia: Expansion into Indian Ocean • Britain: Protect links to India • Trade – Gain concessions for desired Middle Eastern commodities • Example: Persia: tobacco, rugs Keys to Influence • Weakness in the Region – Decline and disintegration of the Ottoman Empire (Egypt) • Technology Gap – Despite advanced status, still well behind industrial Europe • European Debt – Middle East lacks the capital resources for economic development, so they borrow money from Europe – Example: Suez Canal Imperialist Influence • Indirect Rule (Case Study: Egypt) – The British never officially takeover Egypt – However they: • • • • Control the khedives Advise all Egyptian administrators Control finances and foreign affairs Occupy Egypt with the army to ensure British interests are protected Reaction and Resistance • Westernization – Adopt European technology and values to remain independent – Examples • Egypt: Muhammad Ali’s reforms • Ottoman Empire/Turkey: Young Turks Reaction and Resistance • Islamism – Violently resist European intrusion through strict adherence to “traditional” Islamic values – Examples • Sudan: Mahdist Revolt • Arabia: Wahabism Reaction and Resistance • Rational Islam – Defend against imperialists by adopting science and technology of the West, while staying faithful to the religious principles of Islam • Examples – Persia/Iran: Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and the Tobacco Boycott Impacts • Economic Imperialism – Western corporations move into Middle East and takeover critical sectors of the economy, laying the foundation for more in the 20th century (Cf. Oil Companies) • Anti-Western Sentiment – Hostility towards Europe on the rise, lays foundation for hostile relationship between the continents in 20th century China Reign of Qianlong • Qing Dynasty – Manchu rulers from north replace the Ming and become the first foreign dynasty to rule China since the Mongols • Significance – During the rule of Qian long in the late 18th century, China reached the peak of its power and prosperity Opium Wars • Evolution of the Opium trade – British begin smuggling opium instead of bringing in silver to obtain Chinese goods • Significance – Treaty of Nanjing forces Chinese to submit to humiliating terms, opening several more ports to trade and granting foreigners special privileges in these areas (extraterritorial rights) Taiping Rebellion • Hong Xiuquan – Prophetic figure who organizes massive rebellion against the Qing • Significance – Besides the tragedy of the event, we should know what this means in light of the Mandate of Heaven Self-Strengthening Movement • Westernization – Some Chinese conclude that reforms are necessary to spur industrialization • Significance – Failure: Conservatives like the Dowager Empress Cixi block reforms, increasing the gap between China and the West Boxer Rebellion • Society of the Harmonious Fists – Chinese group attacks foreigners such as businessmen and missionaries in protest to growing Western power and influence of foreigners • Significance – Rebellion is put down by alliance of European armies, demonstrating the power and influence of Europe at this point Revolution of 1911 • Chinese Nationalism – Alliance of revolutionary groups led by Sun Yat-sen overthrows Qing Dynasty and establishes a Western style republican government in its place • Significance – Only the end of over 2000 YEARS of continuous imperial rule in China Coach Lerch’s Final Thoughts • Typically, the decline of a Chinese dynasty merely marks the beginning of the rise of a new according to the Mandate of Heaven • But what happens if you abolish imperial rule? Or does it not really get abolished, only transformed? Or what happens when you deny the religious ideas that make up the Mandate of Heaven? Or does the Mandate continue in a different way, maybe not all that different than it was before? Deep thoughts dude…