Summary AS Level History: Chapter 1 Empire and the emergence of world powers
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Course
AS and A Level
Institution
AS And A Level
This document covers the first topic - Empire and the emergence of world powers - of the CIE AS Level History syllabus.
- 1.1 Why was imperialism a significant force for late 19th-century Europe?
- 1.2 What was the impact of imperial expansion on international relations?
- 1.3 Why did Japan eme...
empire and the emergence of world powers 1870 1919
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AS and A Level
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1.1 Why was imperialism a significant force for late 19th-century
Europe?
1.1-1 Economic and political motives for imperial expansion
Background
During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, imperial expansion was popular as European nations wanted to find and
exploit new trading opportunities.
• They believed that this will help them earn a bigger share of wealth (mercantilism)
In the 18th century, mercantilism began to decline;
• Economists began to suggest that a nation's wealth should be based on their ability to produce goods
and services
• Empires at the time were not permanent nor constructed clearly
• European governments aimed to limit the cost of exports and increase the value of exports.
Why did European governments want overseas possessions?
• Provided a cheap source of raw materials and labor.
• Provided valuable goods that were not available in Europe, like spices and silk.
• Provided a guaranteed market for European goods.
The Slave Trade in the 16th century (1500s):
• European ships will sail to the coasts of Africa and acquire slaves
◦ Either by negotiating with local chieftains , or by capturing local people
• After acquiring the slaves, the ship would take a detour across the Atlantic Ocean, the ship would stop
by the USA and Caribbean islands and would sell the slaves to plantation owners.
◦ In return for the slaves, the European ship will get some of the products that the buyers produce,
such as sugar and tobacco
ECONOMIC REASONS/MOTIVES POLITICAL REASONS/MOTIVES
1 Industrialism Growth of nationalism
2 The Long Depression 1873-1896 Imperialism as social policy
3 Competition for raw materials Strategic control of key regions
,Economic reasons
1) Industrialism
Industrial revolution: 1760-1840
The industrial revolution led to European industries to expand rapidly. Goods were made on a larger scale,
therefore it was essential to find new raw materials, and new markets to sell the goods. Entrepreneurs
were very keen on finding new raw materials, so they were happy to invest their wealth to new places.
(With the profit they earn from industrialisation
Britain was the first country to undergo an industrial revolution, they were known as “ The Workshop of
The World”. —> able to produce goods more efficiently and cheaply.
In the second half of the 19th century (1800s), industrialisation had spread across Europe, resulting in
Britain facing more rivals. (European nations and USA)
In 1871, after Germany became unified, they became a serious rival to Britain. In 1850, Germany
introduced railways to help trade with others more efficiently.
France, although they industrialised slower, they also made an extreme effort to increase foreign trade.
- They also had a very strong navy and established naval bases in the Indian Ocean and Indo-China
to enhance and protect trade between France and Asia.
This led to imperial expansion as industrialization caused countries to look for new markets and raw
materials. Industrialization also allowed entrepreneurs to invest their money in new areas, which funded
the governments for imperialism
2) Long Depression
From 1873 to 1896; A period of time deflation that lasted for 23 years
The Long Depression was the result of industrialization spreading across Europe and the USA. With the
advancements in technology, countries were able to produce goods much quicker.
Resulting in the production of goods outweighing demand.
As supply was higher than demand, prices of goods fell in order to attract more people to buy the
goods
, The fall in prices led to declining wages and loss of jobs
By having possessions overseas, it guaranteed a market for their industrial goods.
This led to imperial expansion as the Long Depression pressured the government to look for new business
opportunities. By having new and more markets, more jobs will be created and more people will be able to
afford to buy goods.
3) Competition for raw materials
Raw materials like cotton, copper, rubber and tin were in high demand
Large quantities of these materials were found in Africa and Asia. They were also much cheaper in these
places
This led to imperial expansion as the European powers wanted to get their hands on as much raw materials
as they possibly could in order to produce more goods at a lower cost and earn more profit.
Political reasons
1) Growth of nationalism
By 1871, the borders within Europe were confirmed and agreed upon, only war can change these borders.
Late 1800s, nationalism became very important
France (Third French Reich) and Germany were keen on creating a good reputation for themselves
as they were newly unified
Britain had a big empire and boasted about it, they also had a powerful navy which they were also
proud of
1889: The British government received the Royal Assent and passed the Naval Defense Act
- This act was also known as the "Two Power standard"
- The British navy needs to remain at least as powerful a the combined strength of the next
two largest navies (French and Russian at the time)
- This meant that the Royals would need to allow the British government to allocate a
significant amount of money and resources to maintain the Navy
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