Imperialism and the Division of the World

At the end of the 19th century, Western powers competed to seize the world’s unconquered territories. Africa, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia became colonies one after another, and the world was almost completely divided among the imperial powers.

Basic Knowledge

From the 1870s onward, Western powers whose industrial strength had risen explosively through the Second Industrial Revolution (electricity・petroleum・steel) needed colonies as sources of raw materials, markets for manufactured goods, destinations for capital exports, and places for emigrants. This is called imperialism. In the Partition of Africa, the Berlin Conference of 1884–85 (hosted by Bismarck) established principles for dividing Africa, including the principle of effective occupation. In only 20 years, almost the entire African continent became European colonies. Events included the Fashoda Incident in 1898 (a British-French confrontation in Sudan, in which France yielded) and the South African War of 1899–1902 (Boer War, Britain vs. the Dutch-descended Boers). At the beginning of the 20th century, the only independent countries were Ethiopia (which defeated Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896) and Liberia.

Further Study (Background and Effects)

In Southeast Asia, only Thailand (Siam) maintained its independence. Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam became French Indochina (1887); Myanmar (Burma) was annexed to the Indian Empire; Malaya and North Borneo became British territories; and the Philippines changed from Spanish to American rule (1898). In the division of China, in 1898, Germany leased Jiaozhou Bay, Russia leased Port Arthur and Dalian, Britain leased Weihaiwei and the Kowloon Peninsula, and France leased Guangzhou Bay. In 1899, U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issued the Open Door Policy (equal opportunity and territorial integrity), asserting that the United States, which had entered the competition late, should have access to the market. In the Boxer Uprising of 1900, the Qing supported an anti-foreign movement that advocated “Support the Qing and destroy the foreigners.” As a result, an eight-power allied force (Japan・Russia・Britain・the United States・Germany・France・Italy・Austria-Hungary) intervened and suppressed it. Under the Boxer Protocol of 1901, the Qing accepted an indemnity of 450 million taels and the stationing of foreign troops.

Points of Caution (Easily Confused)

① The Three Cs policy (Britain・Cairo・Cape・Calcutta) and the Three Bs policy (Germany・Berlin・Byzantium・Baghdad) came into conflict. ② Distinguish the Fashoda Incident (1898・Sudan・Britain and France) from the Boxer Uprising (1900・China・the imperial powers). ③ The only independent African countries were Ethiopia and Liberia. ④ In the Spanish-American War (1898), the United States acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam under the pretext of supporting Cuban independence. Cuba became a protectorate.

Practice

1. What name refers to Britain’s imperialist policy represented by three locations?
2. What Chinese anti-foreign movement advocated “Support the Qing and destroy the foreigners” in 1900?
3. Name the two African countries that maintained independence at the beginning of the 20th century.