Colonial Empires/Territories
Colonial Territories
Imperialist expansion led to the developement of colonialism.
The way in which European empires expanded, depended on the circumstanses of each colonised territory.
Colonisation of Africa
The British Empire wanted to establish a large belt of colonies, and the other powers wanted to prevent this.
France already controlled the Sahara and its bordering countries
In 1885, Germany organised a conference to decide how Africa would be divided amongst the European powers
France and Portugal wanted to establish corridors from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Indian Ocean coast of Africa.
Colonisation of Asia
France took control of Indochina and Great Britain of Malasya, the Dutch took modern-day Indonesia from Portugal
China was still and independent country, it felt the effects of imperialist ppressures from Europe and USA.
The Indian Peninsula was colonised by the British.
Had to cede control of its mines and allow areas of importance for foreign trade.
Opened ports for international trade.
The British took advantage of the tolerance of opium consumption, and smuggled the drug to make money
The Chinese rebeled in the First Opium War and lost against the British, the port of Hong Kong became a British colony.
The Hegemony of the United States in America
Despite its anti-colonialist past, the US began numerous military interventions through the American continent.
Consequences of Imperialism
Types of colonial government
Protectorates
Dominions
Colonies
Territories where weak local power allowed mother countries to controll every aspect of the country
Territories where the mother country decided not to intervene in politics, controlling only economic matters and foreign relations.
Territories of the British, had great autonomy and their own institurions
Colonial expansion consolidated inequalities in the global production
Colonisation involved violence against the people
Artificial borders were created
Colonisation opened the door to certain advances in industrialised countries