Unit 6: Ideologies Leading to the Second Wave of Imperialism (1750-1900)

Context

Previous wave of imperialism focused on building maritime empires.
- Dominated Indian Ocean trade.
- Colonization of the Americas.
Despite Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and self-governance, a new wave of imperialism emerged.

Definition: A sense of commonality among a people based on shared language, religion, and social customs.
Linked with desire for self-rule within a territory.
Shift from loyalty to sovereigns (kings, queens, emperors) to loyalty to one's nation.
Influenced European developments such as the unification of Italy and Germany.
Nationalism fueled imperialistic ambitions due to:
- Desire to demonstrate power and superiority.
- Rivalries between imperial states to expand empires.

Definition: Hierarchical ranking of humans into distinct biological classes based on race.
Transition from religious to secular divisions (e.g., Christians vs. non-Christians to racial classifications).
Justified European superiority and imperial projects:
- Pseudosciences like phrenology claimed larger skull sizes in white people indicated superiority.

Based on Charles Darwin's theories of biological evolution and natural selection.
Applied to human societies to justify imperialism:
- Belief that Western industrial societies were "fittest" and therefore justified in dominating "weaker" nations.
Strong nations "eating" weak nations seen as natural and justified.

Perceived duty to bring "civilization" to "lower civilizations."
Driven by:
- Spread of Christianity.
- Reorganization of colonial governments using Western models.
- Imposition of Western education, suppression of indigenous cultures and languages.

Combination of these ideologies motivated and justified the second wave of imperialism.
Further exploration of the implementation of these ideologies in later units.

Additional Resources:

AP World History review guides and practice materials available for deeper understanding and exam preparation.