IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM

Definitions
Difference between Colonialism and Imperialism
Difference between New Imperialism and Old Imperialism
Phases of Colonialism and Imperialism
Colonialism of Latin America, South Africa, Australia, South Asia & South East Asia
Factors Responsible for New Imperialism(Neo-Imperialism)
Scramble for Africa
Impact of Colonialism and Imperialism
Decolonization
Neo colonialism
 IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM
DEFINITIONS

1) Imperialism

2) Colonialism

3) New Imperialism (Neo-imperialism)

4) Neo-colonialism
 1) IMPERIALISM

Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through

colonization, use of military force, economic domination or political
manipulation

2) COLONIALISM

Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance and exploitation of colonies in

one territory by a political power from another territory

Colonialism is practiced primarily for the political and economic benefit of the
colonizing country
 3) NEW IMPERIALISM (NEO-IMPERIALISM)

The New Imperialism was a period of colonial expansion and its accompanying
ideologies by the European powers, the United States of America and the
Empire of Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
 4) NEO-COLONIALISM

Neo-colonialism is the term used to define the control of less-developed

countries by the developed countries through indirect means such as
economic exploitation and promotion of capitalism

The term neocolonialism was first used after World War II to refer to the
continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign countries

Neocolonialism came to be seen more generally as involving a coordinated

effort by former colonial powers and other developed countries to block
growth in developing countries and retain them as sources of cheap raw
materials and cheap labour
 Difference between Colonialism and Imperialism
COLONIALISM IMPERIALISM

1) Colonialism is when one country It is a policy of extending a country’s power

physically exerts its domination over and influence through colonization, use of
another country with a view to exploiting military force, economic domination or
its resources political manipulation

2) There will be a movement of people to the It is just about exerting control over the
new territory, becoming permanent settlers conquered regions either through direct
in the process governance or through indirect control
mechanisms
Difference between Colonialism and Imperialism
Colonialism Imperialism

3) Colonialism in the modern sense dates Imperialism has its origins in the ancient
back to the 16th century when Europeans world when empires such as Rome and
began to colonize large swathes of Greece dominated other countries
America, Asia and Africa

4) Colonialism is concerned with getting Imperialism focuses on economic and

economic access through exploitation political dominance over those regions
Difference between Colonialism and Imperialism
Colonialism Imperialism

5) In colonialism, the native people and In imperialism, the native people are
their way of life are often destroyed usually allowed to keep their own way of
life

6) Examples of colonialism are to be The Scramble for Africa in the 19th

found in the takeover of India, Australia, Century,USA domination of Philippines in

Southern, and Central Africa by the 20th Century

European nation
Difference between New Imperialism and Old Imperialism
Old Imperialism New Imperialism

1) Timeline: 1450-1650 CE Timeline: 1870-1914 CE

2) Focus areas were coastal Africa, coastal Focus shifted to the scramble for Africa,
Asia, Latin America & North America South and South-East Asia

3) Centralized control and command More decentralized and indirect rule

system- ruled large geographical areas

4) Motives were God, Glory and Gold Metals, vegetable oils, colors, cotton,
hemp and other expensive resources of
the colonies was the main focus
Difference between New Imperialism and Old Imperialism
Old Imperialism New Imperialism

5) Spain,Portugal,Britain,France,Dutch In addition to old power,new powers like

were the powers involved Germany, the USA, Italy, Japan, Belgium,
and Russia came in

6) Ended due to the repercussions of the Ramifications of World War I resulted in

Napoleonic wars, nationalist movements the end

in colonies, and the rising cost of

maintaining the colonies
 TRENDS OF COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5

16th-18th 1800-1870 1870-1914 1914-1939 1945-1990s

Century Decolonization

But Neo-

Colonialism

started
 PHASE 1 (FROM 16TH-18TH CENTURY)

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLONIALISM:

1) Geographical discoveries

2) Development in Science & technology

3) Mercantilism

IMPERIAL POWER INVOLVED:

Portugal,Spain,Britain,France,Netherland

REGION SUBJUGATED:

North & South America, Some parts of Asia and Coastal Region of Africa
 COLONIALISM OF LATIN AMERICA
The colonialism of Latin America unfolded through a series of stages and
processes following the arrival of European explorers and conquerors. Here's a
brief overview of how colonialism occurred in Latin America:

1) Exploration and Conquest: Spanish and Portuguese explorers, sponsored by

their respective monarchies, embarked on voyages to the Americas in the
late 15th and early 16th centuries. Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492
marked the beginning of European contact with the Americas. Subsequent
expeditions led to the exploration and mapping of the region.
2) Conquest of Indigenous Peoples: Conquistadors, such as Hernan Cortes in
Mexico and Francisco Pizarro in Peru, led military expeditions to conquer
indigenous civilizations. They used advanced military technology, alliances with
indigenous groups opposed to dominant native powers, and exploitation of
internal divisions among indigenous peoples to subjugate them.

3) Establishment of Colonies: Spanish and Portuguese monarchs claimed vast

territories in the Americas through treaties and papal decrees. They established
colonial administrations, with viceroyalties, captaincies, and governorates to
govern the conquered territories. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided the
newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal along a meridian line.
4) Encomienda System: The encomienda system was instituted by the Spanish
crown to reward conquistadors and settlers with land and indigenous labor.
Encomenderos, or landowners, were granted the right to extract tribute and
labor from indigenous communities in exchange for protection and
Christianization. This system led to the exploitation and abuse of indigenous
peoples.

5) Forced Labor and Economic Exploitation: Indigenous peoples were forced to

work in mines, plantations, and haciendas under harsh conditions. The
extraction of precious metals, such as gold and silver, and the cultivation of
cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and cacao formed the economic backbone of
colonial Latin America
6) Cultural Assimilation and Syncretism: The Spanish and Portuguese imposed
their language, religion (Catholicism), and customs on indigenous
populations, leading to the fusion of European and indigenous cultures,
known as mestizaje. Indigenous peoples adopted Christianity and European
customs, while also integrating elements of their own cultures.

7) Resistance and Revolts: Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans resisted

colonial oppression through various forms of resistance, including armed
uprisings, rebellions, and the preservation of indigenous cultures and
traditions. Notable revolts include the Tupac Amaru II rebellion in Peru
(1780-1781) and the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804).
 COLONIALISM OF SOUTH AFRICA
The colonialism of South Africa unfolded over several centuries and involved various
European powers, primarily the Dutch and the British. Here's an overview of how
colonialism occurred in South Africa:

1) Dutch Colonization (17th Century):

The Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station at the Cape of
Good Hope in 1652. The Dutch settlement at the Cape served as a midpoint for
ships traveling between Europe and the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia).

 Dutch settlers, known as Boers or Afrikaners, gradually expanded their presence

inland, establishing farms and settlements.
2) Conflict with Indigenous Peoples:
The Dutch encountered various indigenous groups, including the
Khoikhoi and San peoples, who were pastoralists and hunter-
gatherers.
 Conflicts arose over land, resources, and livestock, leading to
violence and displacement of indigenous communities.
3) British Rule (19th Century):
 In 1795, the British seized control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch
during the Napoleonic Wars. It was returned to the Dutch briefly but
was permanently ceded to the British in 1815.
 The British abolished slavery in 1834, which had been prevalent under
Dutch rule, leading to tensions with the Boer settlers who relied on
enslaved labor.
 The Great Trek: In the 1830s and 1840s, thousands of Boers migrated
inland to escape British rule and establish independent republics, such
as the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.
4) Anglo-Zulu War (1879):

The British encountered resistance from indigenous African kingdoms,

including the Zulu Kingdom.

The Anglo-Zulu War resulted in the defeat of the Zulu forces by the British,
leading to the annexation of Zululand into British Natal.

5) Mineral Discoveries and Imperialism:

The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley (1867) and gold in the Witwatersrand

(1886) led to a mineral rush, attracting fortune seekers from around the world.

 British imperial interests intensified as the mineral wealth of South Africa

became evident.
First Boer War (1880–81):

In 1877, Shepstone annexed the South African Republic (or Transvaal –
independent from 1857 to 1877) for the British Empire. The Boers protested,
and in December 1880 they revolted, leading to the First Boer War (1880–81).

British Prime Minister Gladstone signed a peace treaty on 23 March 1881,

giving self-government to the Boers in the Transvaal
Role of Cecil Rhodes:

British kept following the Boers, trying to surround them with British territory.

In this attempt the most important part was played by Cecil Rhodes, the
apostle of British imperialism in South Africa.

He dreamt of an empire from the Cape to Cairo in which English and Boer
would live side by side under the British flag.

It was he who foiled the successive efforts of the Boer republics to extend their
territory. It was at his instance that a British protectorate was established over
Bechuanaland, and the territory, now called Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in his
honour, was acquired
Second Boer War (1899-1902):

Also known as the Anglo-Boer War, it was fought between the British Empire
and the independent Boer republics.

It was about control of the gold and diamond industries.

It was a long and hard war, for the Boers of the two republics (the Orange Free
State and Transvaal) fought with great skill and tenacity and inflicted a series of
reverses on British arms.

The war resulted in British victory and the incorporation of the Boer republics
into the British Empire and in 1910 they joined up with Cape Colony and Natal
to form the Union of South Africa
6) South African War (1899-1902):

Also known as the Anglo-Boer War, it was fought between the British Empire
and the independent Boer republics.

The war resulted in British victory and the incorporation of the Boer republics
into the British Empire.

The Treaty of Vereeniging (1902) ended the war and led to the formation of
the Union of South Africa in 1910, a self-governing dominion within the British
Empire
 PHASE 2 (1800-1870)
This phase is age of decline of colonialism & imperialism

REASON FOR DECLINE:

1) American revolution

2) Napoleonic wars

3) Free trade movement

4) Latin American Liberation struggle in 1820s (Includes South America, Central

America & Caribbean Island)
 PHASE 3 (1870-1914)

PERIOD OF NEO-IMPERIALISM

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEO-IMPERIALISM:

1) Economic motives:

The growing European industry, the increase in production capacity, and the
surplus of capital created the necessity of finding new markets, new sources of
raw materials, and new areas for capital investment

Policy of protectionism followed by European states also led to a demand of

colonies
2) Nationalistic factors of New Imperialism:

The spirit of national pride and hunger for prestige supplied a very strong
incentive to colonial expansion

Nationalism became aggressive and patriotism “developed from love of

country into love of more country.”

3) Entry of Germany, Italy and rising competition

4) Military and strategic value of colonies

Colonies abroad provided ports, naval bases and coaling stations for Colonizer
Navies
5) Role of Social Darwinism and Racism

Europeans believed that Superior races must dominate the inferior races by
military force

6) Religious and Cultural motives

white man's burden of "civilizing" ignorant native people

Evangelizing needs of Christian missionaries

7) Technological Advances:

Invention of shallow-draft riverboats, the steamship and telegraph, the

repeater rifle and Maxim gun, and the discovery of quinine drug against malaria
IMPERIAL POWER INVOLVED IN NEO-IMPERIALISM:

In addition to old power, new powers like Germany, the USA, Italy, Japan,
Belgium, and Russia came in

REGION SUBJUGATED:

Whole of Africa, South east Asia, Australia & New Zealand

Among that, Scramble for Africa is a unique process

 COLONIALISM OF AUSTRALIA
1) European Exploration: European exploration of Australia began in the 17th
century, with Dutch and later British explorers charting the coastlines. In
1770, Captain James Cook claimed the eastern coastline for Britain.

2) First Fleet and Penal Colony: In 1788, the First Fleet, a group of British ships,
arrived in Botany Bay, New South Wales, led by Captain Arthur Phillip. This
marked the beginning of British colonization, initially as a penal colony to
relieve overcrowding in British prisons
3) Arrival of free immigrants: Between 1793 and 1850 nearly 200,000 free
settlers chose to migrate to Australia to start a new life. The majority were
English agricultural workers or domestic servants, as well as Irish and
Scottish migrants. These settlers formed the basis of early Australian society.
The discovery of coal and the introduction of merino sheep helped to
develop Australia and sheep-rearing became an important business. Free
emigrants began to pour in the interior was gradually opened up and new
settlements were founded.
4) The Gold Rush: In 1851 gold deposits were discovered. This attracted a large
crowd of immigrants and quickened the development of Australia. Thousands of
Chinese people came to Australia during the 1850s gold rushes. By 1901,Chinese
were the third largest migrant group in Australia after the British and Germans.
When the gold was exhausted many took up market gardening or established
businesses such as restaurants or laundries.
5) Expansion and Settlement: British colonization expanded rapidly across the
continent, leading to conflicts with Indigenous peoples who had inhabited
Australia for tens of thousands of years. The settlers cleared land for
agriculture, established towns and cities, and built infrastructure to support
the growing population.

6) Treatment of Indigenous Peoples: The colonial period was marked by

violence, dispossession, and marginalization of Indigenous Australians. British
settlers forcibly removed Indigenous peoples from their lands, disrupted
traditional lifestyles, and introduced diseases that devastated Indigenous
communities
7) Assimilation Policies: Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, various
assimilation policies were implemented, aimed at eradicating Indigenous
cultures and languages and assimilating Indigenous peoples into European
society. These policies included forced removal of Indigenous children from
their families, known as the Stolen Generations, and the establishment of
missions and reserves.

8) Land Dispossession: The British Crown claimed sovereignty over the entire
continent, disregarding Indigenous land rights and systems of ownership.
Land was systematically taken from Indigenous peoples without their
consent, often through violent means or deceptive treaties
9) Australian Colonies Government Act, 1850: It was a landmark development which
granted representative constitutions to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia
and Tasmania. The colonies enthusiastically set about writing constitutions which
produced democratically progressive parliaments – though the constitutions
generally maintained the role of the colonial upper houses
10) Between 1855 and 1907: The six colonies individually gained responsible
government, managing most of their own affairs while remaining part of the British
Empire. The Colonial Office in London retained control of some matters, notably
foreign affairs, defence, and international shipping. By the Australian Commonwealth
Act which came into force in 1901, the various Australian colonies were federated
together. The Commonwealth of Australia was established and it became a
dominion of the British Empire in 1907
 SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA
The “Scramble for Africa” was the invasion and occupation, colonization and
annexation of African territory by European powers during the period of
New Imperialism, between the 1880’s and the start of World War I.

In 1870, 10 percent of Africa was under European control; by 1914 it was 90
percent of the continent, with only Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Liberia still
independent

It was the Belgian occupation of the Congo valley in 19th century that
immediately led to the Scramble for Africa.
 WHY COLONIZATION & PARTITION OF AFRICA IS A FREAKISH EVENT

This is because:

1) Partition of Africa was freaky as there was no comprehensive cause or

purpose behind it

2) In any matter of dispute regarding territories, European countries avoided

war and solutions were reached through diplomacy, such as Berlin
conference of 1884-85 and Algeciras conference of 1906

3) Colonization of Africa was probably fastest colonization seen ever in the

history of mankind
4) Most of treaties signed between African chiefs and Europeans were
fraudulent and bogus

5) Partition of Africa was also freaky in the sense that new popular ideas of the
19th century were given for the justification of colonization and partition of
Africa. The ideas of Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution, the
Eugenics movement, Racism, White man’s burden, all gave justification for
European expansionist policy in Africa
COLONIALISM OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
 PHASE 4 IN COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM (1914-1939)

Imperialism Witnessed declining trend immediately after end of 1st world war

1st world war brought about collapse of Russian empire, Austrian Empire,
German Empire, Turkey Ottoman empire. Territories of these empires gave
birth to new state

But again in the 1930s imperialism trend started to rise again because of Nazi
Germany, Fascist Italy, Militarist Japan

Japan emerged as major imperialistic power in Eastern world

 PHASE 5 (1945-1990S)

Decolonization period