European dominance

Definition

European dominance refers to the period during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when European powers expanded their empires across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, exerting significant political, economic, and cultural control over vast territories. This dominance was characterized by imperialism, where nations competed for colonies and resources, leading to a global power shift and the establishment of unequal relationships between colonizers and colonized peoples.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. By 1914, nearly 85% of Africa was under European control, showcasing the extent of European dominance through imperialism.
2. Major European powers involved in this dominance included Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, each vying for resources and strategic territories.
3. The ideology of Social Darwinism was often used to justify imperialism, suggesting that stronger nations had a right to dominate weaker ones.
4. European dominance had profound impacts on colonized societies, including the disruption of local economies, cultural assimilation, and the introduction of new governance structures.
5. Resistance movements emerged in many colonies as a response to European dominance, leading to conflicts and eventual struggles for independence in the 20th century.

Review Questions

• How did European dominance shape global politics and economies during the late 19th century?
  • European dominance significantly altered global politics and economies by establishing colonial empires that exploited resources from colonized regions. This led to the integration of local economies into the global market primarily serving European interests. Political power shifted towards European nations as they gained control over vast territories, creating unequal relationships that favored imperial powers.
• Evaluate the role of technological advancements from the Industrial Revolution in facilitating European dominance during this era.
  • Technological advancements from the Industrial Revolution played a crucial role in enabling European dominance by providing new means of transportation, communication, and military power. Innovations such as steamships, railways, and telegraphs allowed for faster movement of troops and goods. These developments not only enhanced the efficiency of resource extraction but also facilitated deeper penetration into African and Asian territories, making imperialism more viable.
• Analyze how ideologies such as Social Darwinism influenced the justification for European dominance and its consequences on colonized societies.
  • Social Darwinism significantly influenced the justification for European dominance by framing imperial expansion as a natural order where 'stronger' nations had a right to conquer 'weaker' ones. This ideology legitimized exploitation and oppression, leading to severe consequences for colonized societies such as cultural erasure, economic subjugation, and social stratification. The legacy of these actions continues to affect post-colonial states today as they grapple with the repercussions of their colonial past.

Related terms

Colonialism: The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Scramble for Africa: The rapid invasion, colonization, and partitioning of African territory by European powers in the late 19th century.

Industrial Revolution: A period of significant industrial growth in Europe that provided the technological advances and economic motivation for imperial expansion.