GFPA 2043

Modern World History

Week 10 (17 Dec – 23 Dec)
Western Imperialism of Asia in the 17th and 18th Century
 Introduction

Imperialism noun
/ɪmˈpɪəriəlɪzəm/
• The control of a country by
another.
• Extension of the authority of one
country over another.
• This is carried out by conquest
or by treaties and it is often for
political and economic reasons.
 Introduction – Cont.

• Modern form of imperialism started when European powers discovered new

land in Asia and Africa in the 15th and 16th Centuries.
• There are various forms of imperialism

• Colonies – Directly governed by European powers.

• Protectorates – The native rulers were guaranteed protection against
internal upheaval or external threat. A European resident or
commissioners appointed to advise the ruler.
• Sphere of influence – Where no single European state could make good
its claim against others. Here each European power has arranged to
divide the region into spheres of influence. Each power enjoys privileges
and trade opportunities within its own sphere.

• Western imperialism spreads fast to Africa and Asia after 1870s.

• Between 1880-1914, almost all of Africa (except Ethiopia and Liberia) were
under either French, British, Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish or Belgium
control.
Introduction – Cont.
 Reasons for Western Imperialism of Asia

• Economic
• Political and strategic reasons
• Advancement in technology
• Population growth
• Civilizing the non-Western world
 Tools of Imperialism

• Steamboats
• Conquest of tropical disease
• Firearms
 Conclusion

• Development of scientific disciplines.

• Many European countries became prosperous at
the expense of their colonized countries.
• European languages and cultures were absorbed
by Asians.
• Growth of nationalism.