Imperialism Chapter 33

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Chapter 33: The Building of Global Empires
The establishment of global empires greatly impacted the world as imperial powers tightened links between civilizations worldwide. Imperialism not only brought people together but it put divisions between them as well through the use of powerful tools and deadly weapons.
Foundations of Empire
Campaigns to conquer foreign lands have always been dangerous and expensive.
- Societies felt that conquest was necessary and devoted political, military, and economic resources to the conquest of other territories.
- In 19th century Europe the supporters of empire justified the use of these resources in conquest.
- Their imperialist ventures were supported by many.

Motives of Imperialism
Imperialism consisted of colonialism, economic aspects, political aspects, and cultural justifications.
- The building of empires is an old story in world history.
- Like the building of empires, the establishment of colonies in foreign lands is a practice dating from the ancient times.
- During the second half of the nineteenth century, many Europeans came to believe that imperial expansion and colonial domination were crucial for the survival of their states and societies as well as the health of their personal fortunes.
- Entrepreneurs like Rhodes tried to promote overseas expansion because it benefitted them.
- Proponents of imperialism also held that colonies would consume manufactured products and provide a haven for immigrants in an age of rapidly increasing European population.
- As European states extended their influence overseas, a geopolitical argument for imperialism gained prominence.
- Imperialism had its uses for domestic politics.
- Even spiritual motives fostered imperialism.
- While ...

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...ce movements served as models for anticolonial campaigns in other lands.

Questions
- What was the effect of sovereignty on the world’s societies? BP
- What was the difference between scientific racism and popular racism? C
- How imperialism in Asia was different from imperialism is Africa? CP
People
- Count Joseph Arthur de Gobineau: He characterized Africans as an unintelligent and lazy, Asians as smart but docile, and the native peoples of the Americas as dull and arrogant
- Ram Mohan Roy: He argued for the construction of a society based on both modern European science and Indian devotional Hinduism
- Charles Darwin: He believed that all living species evolved over thousands of years. He wrote the Origin of the Species.

Reflection
Imperialism greatly impacted the world. With imperialism came connections between nations and divisions between peoples.

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