Imperialism: the Policy Involving the Extension of One Nation S Authority Over Another

Imperialism  Imperialism: the policy involving the extension of one nation’s authority over another nation or territory  Imperialism was seen as a means for Empires to economically, politically and culturally expand their dominance over other weaker countries. ‘Prestige’ was earned by empires that displayed Imperial tendances and thus they had influence over countries foreign policy. Empires were seen to be good and smaller countries looked up to them for assistance and support.  The impact of Imperial was the neglecting and denigration of the conquered peoples. Eg) Belgian Congo, the Belgium administration only cared about the rubber that was harvested their. They allowed thousands to be killed without caring at all.  One of the most significant ideas that affected the lives of politicians and people around the globe at the turn of the century was imperialism. Winning empires brought adventure and glory, their exploitation brought wealth and trade.  Colonial rule and the treatment of the subjugated peoples varied, depending on who was governing, but some of the worst characteristics of imperialism and colonialism were observed in the tropical jungles of Africa.  At this time in different parts of the world, Americans tortured and killed people and burned villages in a counter guerrilla war in the Philippines, over 200 000 Filipinos died of war related hunger or disease. In Australia, Aborigines were victims of random and planned killings as the new nation was born.  Around 1900, the quest for colonies and empires was seen as a great civilising mission by those who were doing the colonising.

Anarchism Anarchism: the belief that humans can live in harmony without government and that the institutions associated with government are in fact corrupt, evil and harmful.

Anarchists believed that if there were no government, no laws, no rights to property, people would be free and happy as god intended. They argued that it was pointless trying to reform social evils because the ruling class would never give up its rights and privileges. They despised the efforts of socialists to work for reforms such as 8 hour day, which would still leave bosses in control.

Anarchists believed that violence was the only answer.

Anarchism had no individual leaders and no heroes. It first emerged around 1848 and its two major prophets were Pierre Proudhon of France and Michael Bakunin, a Russian exile.

The paradox of anarchism was that anarchists rejected all forms of organisation, yet to bring about a revolution required some form of leadership and organisation. They believed that revolution would burst forth from the masses – all that was needed as a spark and an assassination could provide that spark.

Anarchism in action: - 1894: President Carnot of France was stabbed with a dagger in the stomach - 1897: Premier Canovas of Spain was shot three times - 1898: Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary was stabbed in the heart with a knife - 1900: King Humbert of Italy was shot four times - 1901: President McKinley of the USA was shot - 1912: Premier Canalejas of Spain was shot from behind

Socialism Socialism: philosophy based on notions of political, economical and social equality

Socialists had very similar goals to the anarchists but used very different methods. Though socialists would often speak of revolution it was a more organised movement, and they did not attempt to assassinate individuals or use the indiscriminate bomb throwing tactics of the anarchists.

Socialism was based on the teachings of Karl Marx and his 1847 work “The Communist Manifesto”. Marx described the European system as capitalist in which a few wealthy ruling and middle class controlled the means of production. The working class had become ‘wage slaves’ to wealthy industrialists. The conditions of the workers were becoming worse and would lead to class conflict and revolution that would overthrow the capitalist masters.

1 Capitalism: economic system in which the majority of the means of production are privately owned and production is guided and income distributed largely through the operation of markets. It has become the dominant economic system in the industrialised world since the decline of feudalism.

Colonialism to 1914 The 19th Century was a period of colonialism with many of the European powers seeking to consolidate their power through acquisition of territory and resources in other parts of the world. This ‘grab for colonies’ became particularly frantic and competitive from 1870 as the amount of unclaimed territory decreased. It was a highly popular policy, with governments urged on by traders, publicists and politicians.

Why did Europeans want to acquire colonies - captured markets – eg: only British products - political control to establish infrastructure traded - enable exploitation of resources - spread ‘civilisation’, culture and religion - cheap labour - nationalist / imperial influences - enhanced national identity and international - desire for super power prestige of colonial empires - military and strategic locations - diverted governments from issues of - control trade routes domestic security and need

Militarism:  This is not just an arms race, but also a government attitude of mind, seeing war as a valid means of foreign policy. (This often includes the influence on governments by the generals.  All nations of Europe were militaristic, but the government of Germany and Austria-Hungary were especially so. All the countries of Europe built up their armies and navies. In 1914 the armed forces stood at: Germany: 2.2 million soldiers 97 warships Austria-Hungary: 810, 000 soldiers 28 warships Italy: 750, 000 soldiers 36 Warships France: 1.125 million soldiers 62 warships Russia: 1.2 million soldiers 30 warships Great Britain 711, 000 soldiers 185 warships

Another thing that the countries of Europe did was to train all their young men so that if there was a war they could call, not only the standing army, but huge numbers of reservists. Germany: 8.5 million men Austria-Hungary: 3 million soldiers France: 3.5 million soldiers Russia: 4.5 million soldiers

Nationalism Nationalism is perhaps the most powerful force in modern history. Nationalism: It is the feeling of loyalty which exists within a group of people who are united by a race, language, territory or history.

Emerging from the French revolution and the idea that the ‘people’ rather than a single person constituted a ‘nation’, nationalism encouraged attempts at independence among the subject peoples of the European Empires.

Most of the 19th century attempts by small national groups to achieve independence from large imperial powers eg: Britain, Russia and Austria-Hungary failed. But governments did foster a sense of national identity through the introduction of mass education, a centralised bureaucracy and a conscript army.

2 During the 19th century two new nation states were created. Germany: 1871. Italy: 1864  Nationalism is a powerful force  The emergence of nationalism led to the decline of the autocratic empires of Europe  If taken to an extreme, nationalism could create tensions and the possibility of international conflict Unity - Pan-Slavic movement unifying Serbs in Balkan region - Unification of Germany and Italy - Motivating force for imperial expansion ‘jingoism’ eg: Germany quest for colonies and military expansion – reinforced Britain and Germans perception of themselves as a great power - Governments fostered feelings of loyalty, patriotism, identity to deflect from internal political tension eg: rise of socialism and trade unionism. Nationalism promoted mass education, centralised bureaucracy, conscript armies, national press and propaganda, national symbols and icons

Division - internal: nationalism encouraged attempts at independence amongst subject people of European Empires eg: Serbs vs Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires  Balkan nationalist tensions directly linked to the assassination of Archduke in 1914 - External: nationalism affected the way countries related, viewed and reacted to each other. Extreme nationalism is aggressive with mass hysteria (jingoism). This exacerbated the pressure for colonies and fuelled the arms race