Chapter 20: Colonial Encounters (1750-1914)
The second wave of European Conquests focused on Asia and Africa and several new players such as Germany, Italy, Belgium, US, and Japan became involved. This wave was not demographically catastphic like the first phase. It was affected by the Industrial Revolution and in general, Europeans preferred informal control. The establishment of the second wave was based on military forces or on the threat of using them. Becoming a colony happed in many ways. India and Indonesia grew from interaction with European trading firms. Decentralized societies without any formal state structure were the most difficult to conquer. Asia and African societies generated a wide range of responses to the European threat.
Under European rule takover was traumaticfor the colonized peoples. Some groups ooperated willingly with their new masters. Governments and missionaries promoted European education and governments relied on them more over time. In the new colonial empires race was a prominent point distinguishing rulers from the ruled. Racism was especially pronounced in areas with a large number of European settlers. Colonial states imposed deep changes in the daily lives of the people and colonial policies contradicted European core values and practices at home. The colonies were essentiall dictatorships and in time the visible contradictions in Europe behavior helped undermine the foundations of colonial rule. Colonial rule also had a deep impact on ways of working. the world economy increasingly demanded Asian and African materials. Asian and African merchants wer squeezed out by Europeans. Many colonial states demaded upaid labor on public projects. The worst abuses wer in the Congo Free State. the forced labor caused widespread starvation as people couldnt grow their own crops. Belgium stepped in to save Congo and stop the abuses. Also many areas resisted the forced cultivation of cash crops.
Economies of Cash Crop Agriculture led to many people happy from the increase of production for world markets. Considerable profit was given to small farmer in areas which led to dependence.
Cultural change in the colonial era began with education which created a new identity for many. Education helped many escape from obligations like forced labor and instead to get better jobs. The widespread of Christianity was attractive to many africans but did not spread to India. Race and ethnicity were central to new ways of belonging. by 1900 some Africans began to define an "African Identity" and were united for the first time by the experience of colonial oppression. In the 20th century such ideas reached a broader public and for most Africans the most important new sense of belonging was the idea of ethnic identity.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Internal Troubles, External Threats: China, Ottoman Empire, and Japan (1800-1914)
the 19 century was Europe's greatest age of global expansion. They became the center of the world economy. Many moved to regions beyong Europe where explorers reaching new countries and much of the world became part of European colonies. Europeans had new motives.The Industrial Revoultion fueled much of Europe's expansion. The growth of mass nationalism in Europe made imperialism broadly popular and industrial developments made overseas expansion possible. In the past Europeans had largely defined others in religious terms, but they also adopted many foreign ideas and techniques. The industrial age promoted a secular arrogance among europeans and they increasingly despised other cultures.
China's century of crisis came within its own success. China did not have an accompanying industrial revolution. The growing population put pressure on land, impoverishment, and starvation. The Chinese bureaucracy did not keep pace with its growing population. Gangs and rebellions began more common than before disrupting the peace. The leader Hong Xiuquan sent to establish a "heavenly kingdom of great peace". He called for radical equality and even planned to industrialize China. China's relationship with Europe transformed with the Opium Wars. British began to sell large quantities of Indian opium to China. Chinese authorities recognized the dangers of opium addiciotn and tried to stop the trade of it. European merchants bribed officials to smuggle it back to China. The British responded with the first Opium War in which they won. The end of the war led to a treaty to open 5 ports to European traders.
The Chinese government tried to act against its problems by a policy of "self-stregthening" in 1860's. They established modern arsenals and shupyards and even studied other languages and sciences. Conservative leaders feared that the development would harm the landlord class. The growing number of educated Chinese became disillusioned with the Qing dynasty. The government agreed to some reforms, but not enough because the imperial order eventually collapsed.
The Ottoman Empire and China had felt that they did not need to learn from the west and avoided direct colonial rule. They attempted "defensive modernization" and suffered a split in society between modernists and those holding traditional values.
The Ottoman Emipre was still strong and the center of the Islamic world. It was known as "the sick man of europe".
The islamic world fell under Christian rule and the Ottoman's couldnt prevent it. they lost territory to Russia, Britain, Austria and France. The central Ottoman state had eventually weakened adn the economy was hit hard by Wester developments.The Ottoman empire had reached a state of dependency on Europe.
In attempt to reform, the Ottoman empire established new military and administrative structures. After 1839, more far-reaching reformist measures emerged beginning with an extensive process of industrialization and modernization. Supporters of the reform saw the Ottoman Empire as a secular state. The outcome of China and the Ottoman Empire led to "semicolonies". they both gave rise to a new nationalist conception of society. the imperial system in China collapsed in 1911. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after WW1.
The rise of a new east Asian power of Japan became powerful, modern, united, industrialized.
Japan created its own East Asian empire. American intrusion demanded better treatment of castaways, the right to refuel and buy provisions, and the opening of trade ports. Japan gave into the demands triggering a civil war. The modernization of Japanese style began with creating nation unity. There began to be a widespread intrest in many aspects of the West. Feminism and Chrsitianiy made little progress in Japan's modern style. Society ended up paying a heavy price. Many peasant families were impoverished and suffered infanticide and the sale of their daughters. the efforts to organize unions were repressed. By the 20th cenutry western power readjusted treaties in Japan's favor. Japan's rise was widely admired and colonial policies wer at least as brutal as Europan ones.
the 19 century was Europe's greatest age of global expansion. They became the center of the world economy. Many moved to regions beyong Europe where explorers reaching new countries and much of the world became part of European colonies. Europeans had new motives.The Industrial Revoultion fueled much of Europe's expansion. The growth of mass nationalism in Europe made imperialism broadly popular and industrial developments made overseas expansion possible. In the past Europeans had largely defined others in religious terms, but they also adopted many foreign ideas and techniques. The industrial age promoted a secular arrogance among europeans and they increasingly despised other cultures.
China's century of crisis came within its own success. China did not have an accompanying industrial revolution. The growing population put pressure on land, impoverishment, and starvation. The Chinese bureaucracy did not keep pace with its growing population. Gangs and rebellions began more common than before disrupting the peace. The leader Hong Xiuquan sent to establish a "heavenly kingdom of great peace". He called for radical equality and even planned to industrialize China. China's relationship with Europe transformed with the Opium Wars. British began to sell large quantities of Indian opium to China. Chinese authorities recognized the dangers of opium addiciotn and tried to stop the trade of it. European merchants bribed officials to smuggle it back to China. The British responded with the first Opium War in which they won. The end of the war led to a treaty to open 5 ports to European traders.
The Chinese government tried to act against its problems by a policy of "self-stregthening" in 1860's. They established modern arsenals and shupyards and even studied other languages and sciences. Conservative leaders feared that the development would harm the landlord class. The growing number of educated Chinese became disillusioned with the Qing dynasty. The government agreed to some reforms, but not enough because the imperial order eventually collapsed.
The Ottoman Empire and China had felt that they did not need to learn from the west and avoided direct colonial rule. They attempted "defensive modernization" and suffered a split in society between modernists and those holding traditional values.
The Ottoman Emipre was still strong and the center of the Islamic world. It was known as "the sick man of europe".
The islamic world fell under Christian rule and the Ottoman's couldnt prevent it. they lost territory to Russia, Britain, Austria and France. The central Ottoman state had eventually weakened adn the economy was hit hard by Wester developments.The Ottoman empire had reached a state of dependency on Europe.
In attempt to reform, the Ottoman empire established new military and administrative structures. After 1839, more far-reaching reformist measures emerged beginning with an extensive process of industrialization and modernization. Supporters of the reform saw the Ottoman Empire as a secular state. The outcome of China and the Ottoman Empire led to "semicolonies". they both gave rise to a new nationalist conception of society. the imperial system in China collapsed in 1911. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after WW1.
The rise of a new east Asian power of Japan became powerful, modern, united, industrialized.
Japan created its own East Asian empire. American intrusion demanded better treatment of castaways, the right to refuel and buy provisions, and the opening of trade ports. Japan gave into the demands triggering a civil war. The modernization of Japanese style began with creating nation unity. There began to be a widespread intrest in many aspects of the West. Feminism and Chrsitianiy made little progress in Japan's modern style. Society ended up paying a heavy price. Many peasant families were impoverished and suffered infanticide and the sale of their daughters. the efforts to organize unions were repressed. By the 20th cenutry western power readjusted treaties in Japan's favor. Japan's rise was widely admired and colonial policies wer at least as brutal as Europan ones.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Chapter 18
Chapter 18 is about revolutions of industrialization.
The context for the industrial revolution lies in an increase of population from 1400 to the 19 century and the growth of fossil fuels. The access to the new energy allowed more production of goods and services. The industrial revolution was based on a "culture of innovation" and led to the greatest breakthrough of the steam engine which transformed agriculture. The spread of the industrial revolution started in Britain to western Europe and then to the US and Russia and Japan.
In the first industrial society there was a massive increase in output as industrialization which led to the rapid development of of the railroad system, mining, manufacturing, and services. Agriculture became less important and the transformation changed daily life.
The British Aristocracy ha little material loss in the industrial revolution but also declined because urban wealth became more important. Titled nobles retained great social prestige and personal wealth. Howeveer the middle classes had the most gains from the industrial revolution. The upper middle class became wealthy and bought into aristocratic life.
The labor classes suffered the most from industrialization and horrible but rapid urbanization.
Beyond Europe and north America only Japan underwent major industrialization in the 19 century however the change did not transformation society. The world economy grew with stability and integration into the world economy in the second half of the 19 century.
Latin American industrial revolution began to suffer from the same change Europe did. The population rapidly grew and so did urbanization.
Many are fascinated by the "firsts " Like the industrial revolution era and ndustrialization will increasingly be seen as a global process.
The context for the industrial revolution lies in an increase of population from 1400 to the 19 century and the growth of fossil fuels. The access to the new energy allowed more production of goods and services. The industrial revolution was based on a "culture of innovation" and led to the greatest breakthrough of the steam engine which transformed agriculture. The spread of the industrial revolution started in Britain to western Europe and then to the US and Russia and Japan.
In the first industrial society there was a massive increase in output as industrialization which led to the rapid development of of the railroad system, mining, manufacturing, and services. Agriculture became less important and the transformation changed daily life.
The British Aristocracy ha little material loss in the industrial revolution but also declined because urban wealth became more important. Titled nobles retained great social prestige and personal wealth. Howeveer the middle classes had the most gains from the industrial revolution. The upper middle class became wealthy and bought into aristocratic life.
The labor classes suffered the most from industrialization and horrible but rapid urbanization.
Beyond Europe and north America only Japan underwent major industrialization in the 19 century however the change did not transformation society. The world economy grew with stability and integration into the world economy in the second half of the 19 century.
Latin American industrial revolution began to suffer from the same change Europe did. The population rapidly grew and so did urbanization.
Many are fascinated by the "firsts " Like the industrial revolution era and ndustrialization will increasingly be seen as a global process.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Chapter 17 Atlantic revolutions
Between 1775 and 1875 the French Revolution was the centerpiece of a revolutionary process all around the Atlantic world. Altantic revolutions had an impact beyond the Atlantic world. The French invaded Egypt,Poland, and Russia and inspired efforts to abolish slavery, give women rights, and extend the franchise in many countries. Nationalism was shaped by revolutions and the principles of equality gave birth to socialism and communism.
The revolutions of North America, Europe, Haiti, and Latin America influenced each other and shared ideas. The North America revolution (1775-1787) was a conservative political movement. It aimed to preserve colonial liberties rather than gaining new ones. British north America was revolutionary for the society that had alrefu emerged not from itself. There was no significant social transformation that came from the independence from Britain. Many Americans thought they were creating a new world order.
The French revolution (1789-1815) had thousands of French soldiers fight for the American revolutionaries. The French government soon faced bankruptcy and attempted to modernize the tax system to make it fairer. Unlike the American Revolution the French rising was driven by social conflicts. The French revolution was much more violent, far-reaching, and
Radical than the American Revolution. Then French revolution influence spread through conquest when Napoleon seized power in 1799. The resentment of French domination stimulated national consciousness throughout Europe.
The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was an example of the French revolution that sparked a sprial of violence but the revolution meant different things to differny people. A massive slave revolt began in 1791 and become a war between a number of factions. Power gradually shifted to the slaves and the result of the revolution became the only successful slave revolt in world history. Haiti's success generated great hope and great fear.
The Spanish American Revolution (1810-1825) was inspired by earlier revolutionary movements. Native born elites in Spanish colonies of Latin America were offended at the Spanish monarchys efforts to control them in the 18 century. The Spanish American revolution had a longer process than in North America because of the fear of social rebellion that shaped the whole independence movement. After Latin america gained independence its traditional relationship with north America was gradually reversed.
The echoes of revolution resulted in the abolition of slavery between 1780 and 1890, nationalism beyond Europe, and feminisit begenings. The legacies of the Atlantic revolutions are still controversial but to some they opened new world's of human potnetial and to others the revolutions had many victims, critics, and opponents.
The revolutions of North America, Europe, Haiti, and Latin America influenced each other and shared ideas. The North America revolution (1775-1787) was a conservative political movement. It aimed to preserve colonial liberties rather than gaining new ones. British north America was revolutionary for the society that had alrefu emerged not from itself. There was no significant social transformation that came from the independence from Britain. Many Americans thought they were creating a new world order.
The French revolution (1789-1815) had thousands of French soldiers fight for the American revolutionaries. The French government soon faced bankruptcy and attempted to modernize the tax system to make it fairer. Unlike the American Revolution the French rising was driven by social conflicts. The French revolution was much more violent, far-reaching, and
Radical than the American Revolution. Then French revolution influence spread through conquest when Napoleon seized power in 1799. The resentment of French domination stimulated national consciousness throughout Europe.
The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was an example of the French revolution that sparked a sprial of violence but the revolution meant different things to differny people. A massive slave revolt began in 1791 and become a war between a number of factions. Power gradually shifted to the slaves and the result of the revolution became the only successful slave revolt in world history. Haiti's success generated great hope and great fear.
The Spanish American Revolution (1810-1825) was inspired by earlier revolutionary movements. Native born elites in Spanish colonies of Latin America were offended at the Spanish monarchys efforts to control them in the 18 century. The Spanish American revolution had a longer process than in North America because of the fear of social rebellion that shaped the whole independence movement. After Latin america gained independence its traditional relationship with north America was gradually reversed.
The echoes of revolution resulted in the abolition of slavery between 1780 and 1890, nationalism beyond Europe, and feminisit begenings. The legacies of the Atlantic revolutions are still controversial but to some they opened new world's of human potnetial and to others the revolutions had many victims, critics, and opponents.
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