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An Inquiry into the nature and the causes of the wealth of nations
One of the theories that suggested that a nation's wealth should not be judged on the amount of gold and silver it produced but by its ability to produce goods and services. by a Scottish economist Adam Smith. Believed that Imperialism was far from profitable written at a time when Britain was undergoing Industrial revolution: argued that government control over a nations wealth is not desirable especially for wealthy investors. -
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first opium war
By the end of the 18th century Britain began importing vast amounts of Opium into China, the Chinese govt realising the potential social and economic impacts of the drug attempted to ban its importation- British merchants largely ignored them, the result of the defeat was China granting control of Hong Kong to Britain. Treaty of Tientsin(1860) legalised importation of opium -
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Taiping rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a revolt against the Qing dynasty in China, fought with religious conviction over regional economic conditions, and lasting from 1850 to 1864. Brought by the increased amount of foreign interference and setting up spheres of influence -
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economic motives for imperial expansion- Industrialisation
Due to the industrial revolution goods were being mass produced and it became necessary to find new sources of raw materials to keep producing and to gain new markets for their goods Britain were 1st to developed steam powered machinery that would make transportation easier, however industrialization spread across Europe and Britain's advantageous position ended and now they needed new markets. -
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Filmore and Perry
the USA sent a fleet of ships under the command of Of Commodore Perry, when the Japanese demanded the ships leave, perry turned his guns down to the town of Uraga and demanded Permission to deliver a letter from the president, Fimore, making it clear that the USA expected trading access to Japan. The Japanese wanted to disagree but they knew their Samurai swords were no match for guns and so they opened their borders in 1854. This treaty started opening Japan to other foreign powers -
Second Opium war
China granted Britain control over Hong Kong and preferential trading status -
Charles Darwin theory of racial superiority
Published a book Charles Darwin's Influential book on the origins of species was widely mistaken for proving theories of racial superiority. It appeared to imply that certain races were more or less superior than others and this was one of the factors that enabled imperialism -
The significance of the frontier in American history by Frederick Jackson Turner
argued that the success of the USA was directly influenced by country's westward expansion. Suggested that taming the wild and savage wilderness had shaped American culture and character and thus the closing of the frontier would effectively end a period of expansion that was seen as vital in shaping the USA's character. -
Opening of the Suez canal as a strategic political motive for imperialism
The Suez canal company, Financed largely by British and French entrepreneurs, constructed a canal linking the Mediterranean sea and the red sea across Egyptian territory. prior to its construction Europeans had to use a lengthy travelling route around the southern tips of Africa to trade with India and the far east. shortly after they took over Egypt and could have encouraged other Europeans to gain territory in Africa -
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Meiji restoration
The japanese demanded an Emperor instead of a shogun so as to avoid a fate like that of China. They brought in Emperor Meiji who began the restoration the following year: Based on modernization. Brought in A new constitution based on German model, a centralised administration, developed their military capabilities, Modelled a western style of education, mines, factories etc developed. Railway and telegraph -
political motives for imperial expansion: Imperialism as a social policy
Industrialisation led to an emergence of a large working class who demanded social and economic reform and thus to reduce this threat govts portrayed overseas expansion as beneficial to everyone. It was a way of diverting attention away from inequalities -
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Defeat of France and German unification: franco- prussian war
French pride had been severely damaged by the humiliating defeat in the war. Gaining overseas possessions was seen as a way of restoring French pride. -
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Political motives for imperial expansion: growth of nationalism
political map of Europe had been set, only war could change these borders and no one wanted war so countries needed overseas territory. There was an outburst of nationalism. Germany& Italy wanted to establish themselves as new nations. France wanted to recover from franco Prussian defeat. Britain boasted about their navy and empire. Overseas possessions were symbols of national pride and power -
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Economic motives for imperial expansion- The long depression
Competition was enhanced by a period of price deflation-falling prices due to drop in demand, leads to falling wages and unemployment. Overseas markets would guarantee new markets -
Egypt goes bankrupt and can no longer pay interest on money lent by Euopean investors
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The first boer war
Fought between the two Boer states of Transvaal and the orange free state and the British empire. In 1877 Britain attempted to persuade the gold and diamond rich areas of Transvaal and the orange free state to join Cape Colony in a federation. The transvaal boers rebelled and claimed independence and from there began a series of skirmishes in which ill prepared Brit troops were defeated. -
Pretoria convention
As a result of Britain's defeat in the first boer war and under the terms, Transvaal and Orange free state were given self governing status under British oversight. Britain still maintained military oversight of the region -
Berlin conference(1884-1885)
Organised by Otto Von Bismarck, German Chancellor, the conference was designed to regulate European imperialism and trade in Africa in order to prevent direct conflict between European nations competing in the scramble for Africa -
Treaty of Berlin
The main articles stated that: Free passage should be given to all ships on the niger and congo rivers , slavery should be abolished throughout the african continent. -
Weltpolitik
Involved actively seeking overseas possessions or as Kaiser Wilhelm termed it "a place in the sun" Germany's relatively late entry into the scramble for Africa only added to the existing tensions -
The influence of sea power upon history by A.T mahan ( naval officer)
the book was widely popular and extremely influential. Mahan argued that the evidence of history confirmed that great nation's depended on naval power. Mahan friend of Roosevelt, No surprise that he promoted the move to imperialism. Shows the developing attitudes towards expanding overseas and leaving isolationism -
Telegraph system established
its cables reached from London to North and south America, India and New Zealand. Made it easier for imperial nations to administer and control their overseas possessions. -
First Sino Japanese war
Disputes over which country should take control of Korea led to the war. The new modern army quickly overran Korea, Manchuria and parts of China itself. When Peking came under threat China surrendered. Japan's speedy and crushing victory over China came as a shock to many European nations and it posed a threat to their own imperial interests. with support of France and Germany, Russia put diplomatic pressure on Japan to relinquish control over Port Arthur( triple intervention)- PortAreturnoch -
Treaty of Shimonoseki
Followed by Japan's defeat in the first sino Japanese war. Under the terms: Japan took port Arthur and the whole of the surrounding Liaodong Peninsula. Russia argued that the terms would undermine the existing interests of European nations and cause instability in China. With the support of FRA,GER,RUSS( TRIPLE INTERVENTION) Put diplomatic pressure on JAP to return port arthur.Jap had to agree( 3 against ) Immediately RUSS took over liadodong peninsula. Jap resented triple intervention -
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The Jameson raid
Armed Intervention in the Transvaal led by the British politician in cape colony, Leander Starr Jameson, over the new year weekend. It was an attempt by Cecil Rhodes to overthrow the Boer govt in Transvaal -
The Kruger Telegram
The Kruger telegram was a message sent by Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II to Kruger, president of the Transvaal Republic, congratulating him on defeating the raiders( Jameson raid) - led to increased tensions btw Bri and Ger -
The Fashoda incident
France was expanding eastwards from French west Africa while British were expanding southwards from Egypt towards the cape. Their paths crossed in Sudan. Both claimed Sudan. Both nations began mobilising their fleets for war but eventually compromise was reached and France recognised Britain's possession of Egypt and Sudan while Britain Recognised France's claims of Morocco -
USA occupies Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines
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Spanish-American war
Cuba was trying to fight for independence and the USA viewed the Spanish as brutal and anti democratic. Mckinley tried to persuade the Spanish to reform their methods of governance but was rejected by Spain and then came 15th FEB, the US had sent a battleship the Maine to protect US citizens in Cuba but the ship exploded in Havana Harbour killing 268 americans. The event sparked outrage in the USA and the yellow press made it seem like spain was responsible. -
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Boxer rebellion
was a patriotic and populist reaction to the increasing foreign domination in China. They were particularly hostile to the christian missionaries. Consequence: 8 power alliance took Peking and defeated the rebellion. they were forced to pay $67million in compensation over 39 years for the damage done to foreign owned property. The humiliation of China was complete. -
Joseph Conrad's short novel 'heart of darkness'
argued that imperialism was morally wrong to seize control of territory that belonged to the local inhabitants. The book raised major issues about imperialism and racism. It challenged the view that the imperial nations were civilised while the natives were savages. -
Open door policy
Due to concerns that the European and Japanese involvement in China posed a threat to their interests the USA negotiated an "open door policy" which aimed to ensure that all foreign nations could enjoy the benefits of Chinese trade on an equal basis and to make sure that no single nations gets full control of China. These negotiations did not include the Chinese govt. -
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The second Boer war
Left Britain isolated and Vulnerable. The war placed Transvaal and orange free state under British control. Britain was condemned by the International community for deploying scorched earth strategies and for the establishment of concentration camps. -
Anglo-Japanese alliance
Britain and Japan agreed to remain neutral if either country was involved in war, however if either country faced war against two or more opponents, the other country would come to its aid. they recognised each others rights in the east. this marked the time when Japan was seen as an equal. -
John Hobson's book 'Imperialism: A study'
summarised the economic reasons for imperial expansion. He was a critic of Imperialism. He concluded that Imperialism had harmed Britain economically, politically and socially. It had not been cost effective. while some wealthy businessmen and entrepreneurs had benefitted there had been little trade increase, and the expense outweighed the advantages -
Entente Cordiale
It settled the long standing Imperial rivalries between 2 countries in North Africa Britain supported France's claims in Morocco. The kaiser felt threatened by this treaty and tried to use it as a way to create a rift between Britain and France -
Roosevelt corollary
An addition to the Monroe Doctrine which now sanctioned US armed intervention if any country in the region was threatened by internal or external factors -
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The Russo- Japanese war
The Japanese were prepared to recognise Russian rights in Manchuria in exchange for Japanese rights in Korea. Convinced of their military superiority, the Russians refused to negotiate and instead invaded Korea. Japan defeated Russia in a resultant war -
Treaty of Portsmouth
the treaty clearly recognised Japan's overwhelming victory in The Russo Japanese war. Russian influence in Manchuria was effectively ended and Japan's rights over Korea were formally recognised. -
Algeciras crisis
Kaiser Wilhelm gave a speech in the middle of the Moroccan city of tangiers and made it clear that Germany favoured an independent Morocco. After this Britain still supported France's claims over Morocco in the conference in Algeciras. in 1911 Wilhelm sent a gunboat( the panther) to the moroccan port of agadir with the intention of undermining French power. BRI SIDED WITH FRA and the Kaiser backed down -
German naval development programme
Argued that it was necessary to protect its overseas trade and empire -
Kaiser Wilhelm sends a gunboat( the panther) to the Moroccan port of Agadir
With the intention of undermining French power in the region. Britain sided with France and the Kaiser backed down, although many German politicians and generals had urged him to go to war over the issue -
The first world war
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Opening of the panama canal
The presence of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts oof Panama made any retaliation by the Colombians impossible. They acquired a strip of Panamanian land through which the canal could be built . The canal played a major role in the development of USA as a pacific power. It connected the Atlantic and Pacific. -
The 21 demands
these were designed to dramatically increase Japanese political and economic power and influence over much of China. In effect China would cease to be an independent country. When the chinese first issued the demands Japan offered an ultimatum which China eventually accepted. Japan was forced to reduce their demands by countries with vested interest -
German U boats and sinking Lusitania
Convinced that the USA was supplying Britain with weapons and other military equipment, In 1915 German U boats( submarines) began regularly attacking ships crossing the Atlantic. At first the Germans would issue warnings to the ships however in 1915, however the Lusitania was sunk without warning, killing more than 120 americans and then the Sussex. There was outrage across the USA. -
USA enters the first world war
USA declared war on Germany after the countless German U boat attacks and after the Zimmerman telegram was sent to them by Britain -
Zimmerman telegram
The British intercepted and decoded a telegram from the German foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmerman, to the German ambassador in Mexico. The telegram appeared to instruct the ambassador to discuss with the Mexicans the possibility of Mexico invading the USA from the south if it entered the war on the side of Britain and France. Ger appeared to be offering to help Mexico attempt to reclaim territories lost to the USA following the Mexican American war of 1848 -
US presidents Wilson's fourteen points speech
Wilson argued that the points should form the basis of peace negotiations once the first world war ended. They reflected Wilson's thinking about why the war had broken out and how it had been conducted -
Monroe doctrine
The United States would not get involved in European affairs.
a principle of US policy, originated by President James Monroe, that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas is a potentially hostile act against the US.