Unit 6 Review: The Age of New Imperialism (c. 1750–1900)

Imperialism

A policy or ideology where a country extends its power and dominance over other nations or territories.

New Imperialism

A period in the late 19th century characterized by the expansion of European powers, the United States, and Japan driven by industrial needs.

Social Darwinism

The misapplication of Darwin's theory of evolution to societies, suggesting that certain races are biologically superior.

The Civilizing Mission

The justification used by Europeans for imperialism, claiming a moral duty to bring civilization to 'backward' peoples.

The White Man's Burden

A concept that portrayed imperialism as a noble obligation of white nations to care for non-white populations.

Missionaries

Individuals or groups that traveled to spread Christianity and often set up schools and hospitals in colonized areas.

Prestige

Status or recognition associated with owning colonies, as seen with France seeking colonies post-Franco-Prussian War.

Suez Canal

A key waterway in Egypt that significantly reduced travel time for British ships to India.

The Congo

A region in Africa that was originally the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium, notorious for its brutal exploitation.

Congo Free State

The name of the Congo under the personal control of King Leopold II before it became the Belgian Congo.

Sepoy Mutiny (1857)

A rebellion in India against the British East India Company that effectively ended the company's rule and established the British Raj.

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

A meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves without any African representatives present.

Settler Colonies

Regions where Europeans established permanent homes, often displacing indigenous populations, such as Australia and New Zealand.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement

A millenarian movement where a prophetic vision led the Xhosa people to kill their cattle, resulting in famine.

The Ghost Dance

A Native American spiritual movement that sought to reclaim buffalo and remove white settlers through ritual dances.

Mahdist Revolt

An uprising in Sudan led by Muhammad Ahmad, who claimed to be the Mahdi, resulting in the establishment of the Mahdist State.

Sokoto Caliphate

An Islamic state established in West Africa as part of a purification movement and became economically significant.

Cherokee Nation

A Native American tribe that adopted a constitution and farming methods to assert sovereignty but faced forced removal.

Direct Rule

A system of governance where a central government controls the local government, replacing private companies or colonial administrations.

Economic Motives

Factors driving imperialism that include the demand for raw materials and new markets for industrial goods.

Cultural Ideologies

Beliefs used to justify imperialism based on ideas of racial superiority and a civilizing mission.

The British Raj

The period of direct British rule over India following the dissolution of the British East India Company.

Guerrilla Tactics

Irregular warfare methods used by smaller, mobile groups to fight a larger, traditional military.

Arbitrary Borders

Political boundaries that disregard historical, tribal, or ethnic divisions, often resulting in conflict.

Ethiopia (Battle of Adwa 1896)

The successful resistance of Ethiopia against Italian colonization, maintaining its independence.

Herbert Spencer

A sociologist who misapplied Darwin's theories to society, coining the term 'survival of the fittest' in social contexts.

Total Political Domination

The comprehensive control exerted by imperialist nations over the territories they colonized.