Key Concepts
What is the policy where powerful empires extend their control and influence over other territories, often by acquiring colonies and exerting economic and political control over colonies?
Imperialism
What is the historical period spanning the 1800s and 1900s when European powers extensively expanded their colonial empires?
The Age of Imperialism
What were at least 2 justifications Europeans had for imperialism?
Social Darwinism, "white man's burden," nationalism, the spread of Christianity
What was the period of intense European competition in Africa between 1884 and 1914 called? European empires split up African land amongst themselves.
The "Scramble for Africa"
What is it called when someone or a group of people use their power to limit people's rights, freedoms, and/or opportunities?
Oppression
What is a country that practices policies of imperialism? These places are ruled by a single leader (usually an emperor or monarch).
Empire
Empires practiced imperialism because industrialization led to European empires looking outside their country for new markets to sell their cheap products. What is this cause of imperialism?
Economic benefit
What is the ideology that emphasizes the interests and identity of one's own country over the countries of others? This ideology caused competition among European empires and made Europeans feel a sense of pride and prestige when conquering overseas territories.
Nationalism
Why is the "Scramble for Africa" called a "scramble?"
It led to extreme competition between European empires and it happened very quickly
European empires extracted valuable resources and wealth from their colonies, leading to weakened local economies, poverty, and economic inequality among the colonized people. What’s this form of oppression called?
Economic exploitation
What is the term for an overseas country or territory controlled by an empire?
Colony
What are at least 2 words you would use to describe imperialism?
Power, control, dominance, expansionism, conquest, colonization, etc.
What is the application of "survival of the fittest" to human cultures? Europeans used this to say that they had a duty to civilize "inferior" societies because non-European cultures were less culturally developed.
Social Darwinism
What were the two conflicts during the Age of Imperialism between China and the British Empire over imperialism, trade, and the sale of addictive substances?
The Opium Wars
European empires took land and displaced native people from their homes, often through force. What’s this form of oppression called?
Land dispossession
What is the process where a country establishes control over a foreign territory or population? An example of this process is when the Spanish set up colonies in the Americas during the Age of Exploration.
Colonization
European empires competed with one another for control over overseas colonies. What is this cause of imperialism?
Competition between European empires (or nationalism)
What is the term that describes the way of looking at other cultures as inferior or wrong while believing in the superiority of one's own culture?
Ethnocentrism
What was the diplomatic meeting held in Germany at the start of the "Scramble for Africa?" At this meeting, European empires split up Africa amongst themselves.
Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
What were the only two African countries that were never colonized by European powers?
Liberia & Ethiopia
What is the term for the belief that no one culture is better than any other culture? This perspective emphasizes understanding a culture within its own context, rather than comparing it to one's own culture.
Cultural relativism
What was the biggest empire during the Age of Imperialism?
The British Empire
What is the concept that Europeans had a moral obligation to bring their "superior" culture and civilization to less-developed regions of the world? This idea was used to justify imperial rule over colonies.
"White man’s burden"
What impact did the Ethiopian rebels' success in the Italo-Ethiopian War have on other rebellions against European imperialism?
Many African countries were inspired to preserve their culture since Ethiopia's victory disproved European cultural superiority
What impact did the Opium Wars have on China's resistance to imperialism?
China was powerless to stop the influence of European imperialism because of unequal treaties and losses in battle