Examine Map 32.2, Imperialism in Africa, ca. 1914. How was the political face of Africa changed between 1875 and 1900? What European nations were most active in carving up Africa? Were there differences in colonial rule? 5 How did subject peoples resist colonial rule? How did imperialism foster conflicts within colonial societies? 6 Summarize some of the significant migrations of the late nineteenth century. What were the typical destinations? 8 Why were the great powers less interested in the Pacific islands for most of the nineteenth century? Why did that attitude change in the later part of the century? 12 Look at the picture of the British naval attack of Rangoon on page 756. What advantages did the western Europeans possess as they expanded their control? 15 Examine the rise of the United States and Japan as imperialist powers. What were the main U.S. and Japanese goals? Were they different than the goals of the western Europeans? What areas did these two countries conquer? 22 Examine the British control over India. How did it set the stage for later British expansion? In what ways did British control of India represent the best and worst of British colonial rule?

Question 1

The political face of Africa was extensively changing in the periods of 1875 to 1900 since the African political structure was altered, changed and replaced. For instance, the colonialists came with their own systems of governance from their nations which they were well versed with the leadership roles and responsibilities. The biggest change was the introduction of a unified government and drawing of boundaries to create nation states led by a single leader (Maddox, 2018). Most prominent nations in African colonialism were the Germans, British, and French imperialists. They used various tactics like the direct rule, indirect rule and assimilation policies to rule their colonies. The French used the assimilation policy on their colonies while the British used a mixed direct and indirect rule from one colony to the other.

Question 5

Maddox, 2018 state that the Africans were able to resist the colonial rule in a number of ways from active violent resistance, non-violent resistance and the passive resistance against the colonial masters. In violent resistance, he Africans took the war to the colonialists through war, guerrilla war tactics, underground movements and raids. The Africans were able to make their rudimentary weapons to target and attack the colonialists. Nonviolent resistance involved go slows, demonstrations and picketing against the white policies. Passive resistance included negotiating and mediating for the African freedom. However, the colonialists were able to foster conflict in the African communities through divide and rule mechanism by creating disagreements and mistrusts between African tribes, leaders, and ethnic communities, hence persistent African wars.

Question 6

The significant migrations of the late 19th century can be said to be the transatlantic slavery which was coming to an end, and the migration to the new world. The transatlantic slave trade was also known as the triangular trade and the Africans were shipped to the Americas of the Mexican and Brazilian countries to work on the sugarcane plantations (Rodney, 1972). The migration to the new world was witnessed through the age of discovery where explorers and colonialists directed European population and attention to the new world of the Carrabin, and other American countries. The destination of the migration was thus the North and South American countries.

Question 8

The great powers were less interested in the pacific islands since the Islands were not having great economic significance to the nations (Oliver, 1989). They great powers were not able to see good revenue generation activities which could be done in such deserted islands. In addition, the poor naval technology at the time rendered the Pacific Islands as mere cooling stations when the war ships were being driven by steam. Further, some Island harbors had some value. However, with the increased technological advancement in naval power the Pacific Islands became of significance for transportation, rebooting and mobilizing army for war and rapid responses to threats from enemies. In addition, they cut links for travel and exchange of goods for enemies.

Question 12

The western Europeans had several advantages that facilitated their conquest of their colonies and adversaries in many ways. For instance, the British Burma which the British were able to subdue the Burmese due to their naval power. The British had an advantage from the well trained military of their nervy.in addition, the military are well advantaged from the sea routs which they are able to navigate well. Similarly, the advantage was witnessed from the enhanced weapons to subdue the enemy. As such, the British were able to dispatch a hefty seaborne expedition which took Rangoon in 1824 without a fight from the locals.

Question 15

The United States of America have had several colonial countries which were conquered with some being permanent States of the US as a country. The countries were conquered through wars, financial control among others. Unlike other countries that were colonizing states for prestige and local economic exploitation, the US maintained close relationships and merged certain territories. The US colonized territories like Cuba and Caribbean. Japan on the other hand occupied territories of the Japanese Taiwan, Japanese Korea, Manchukuo and Indonesia. The aims of the colonialism were not different from those of the western empires since it was all about power, might and domination.

Question 22

The British control over India set the stage for late British expansion since the colonial master had gathered much intelligence and tactics on how to control a people through the direct rule. The colonial trick of direct rule allowed the British colonialists to master how best to tangle local leadership and balance their ignorance to keep power and domination (Visram, 2015). Secondly, it showed the best of the British to the extent that they were smart enough to seek territories out of their countries to take wealth home. However, it discovered the worst of disregard to the fundamental human rights, and the extent of oppression the British government was willing to go to obtain power and wealth from her colonies.

Reference

Maddox, G. (2018). Conquest and resistance to colonialism in Africa. Routledge.

Oliver, D. L. (1989). The Pacific Islands. University of Hawaii Press.

Rodney, W. (1972). How Europe underdeveloped Africa (Vol. 239). London.

Visram, R. (2015). Ayahs, Lascars and Princes: the story of Indians in Britain 1700-1947. Routledge.