Second Wave of Imperialism (1750-1900)

Introduction

Second Wave of Imperialism: Focus on comparing methods of imperial expansion.
Change in Geographical Focus:
- Previous (1450-1750): Americas, Asia, Southeast Asia, trading posts in Africa.
- Current (1750-1900): Heavy focus on Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia, less on the Americas.
Change in Imperial States:
- Decline of Spain and Portugal.
- Continuation by Great Britain, France, and the Dutch.
- New players: Germany, Italy, Belgium, the United States, and Japan.

Example: Belgian Congo
- Initially controlled by King Leopold II as a private colony.
- Brutal exploitation for rubber led to public outrage.
- Belgian government took control in 1908.
Other Examples:
- Dutch government took over Indonesia from Dutch East India Company.
- British government took over India from British East India Company.

Diplomacy Example:
- Berlin Conference (1884-1885): European powers negotiated African territories, leading to the Scramble for Africa.
- No African leaders included, causing future ethnic conflicts.
Warfare Example:
- French in Algeria: Diplomatic insults led to military invasion by France, expanding their control in Africa.

British in South Pacific:
- Settler colonies established in Australia and New Zealand.
- Large influx of British settlers, diseases decimated indigenous populations.

United States:
- "Manifest Destiny": Expansion from Atlantic to Pacific, displacing indigenous peoples.
- Forcible assimilation and relocation to reservations.
Russia:
- Post-Crimean War expansion inspired by Panslavism.
- Expansion into the Pacific coast, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia.
Japan:
- Post-Meiji Restoration industrialization led to imperial ambitions.
- Expansion into Korea, Manchuria, and parts of China.

Various methods of imperialism marked this period, shaping global political landscapes.
Each method had unique impacts on both the colonizing and colonized nations.
Additional Resources: Video note guides available for further study.