POLI 205 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Irredentism, Settler Colonialism
15 Jun 2018
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POLI205
Imperialism
Imperialism is the pocess of etending a nation’s authoit though teitoial acuisition o though
the establishment of political and economic hegemony over other nations
Throughout history many empires have risen and fallen, including Egypt, Persia, Rome, China, the Aztecs
and the Incas.
European imperialism began in the 15th century, once Western Europe became densely populated and
natural resources were diminishing.
Imperialism was also fueled by a desire to establish trade routes to Asia to acquire spices, silk and other
commodities.
The development of new technologies in shipbuilding and maritime navigation also stimulated
imperialism.
Imperialism and colonialism have distorted development.
Wherever there was settler colonialism (e.g. Australia, Canada, the U.S), the indigenous population was
forcefully displaced and European settlers became the dominant population.
This occurred mostly in temperate climates.
Wherever elite colonialism was implemented, Europeans became the political and economic elite, but
the native populations tended to retain their cultures.
Elite colonialism occurred mainly in tropical climates.
Colonies became producers of raw materials for export to the mother country, and captive markets for
manufactured goods from the metropole (mother country)
After gaining independence, these countries became dependent on trade with their mother countries.
Colonial powers like Britain and France often instituted democratic institutions when they granted
independence to their colonies.
But democratic regimes often did not last for long.
The artificial construction of colonial borders, as in Africa, created massive problems as ethnic groups
were divided into multiple countries.
Irredentist and secessionist wars frequently erupted after independence.
Irredentism:
- When a country attempts to gain control over a region in a neighbouring country where the
inhabitants are the same ethnicity as the irrendentist country.
Examples:
- Russia vs. Ukraine (Crimea)
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Document Summary
Imperialism is the p(cid:396)ocess of e(cid:454)tending a nation"s autho(cid:396)it(cid:455) th(cid:396)ough te(cid:396)(cid:396)ito(cid:396)ial ac(cid:395)uisition o(cid:396) th(cid:396)ough the establishment of political and economic hegemony over other nations. Throughout history many empires have risen and fallen, including egypt, persia, rome, china, the aztecs and the incas. European imperialism began in the 15th century, once western europe became densely populated and natural resources were diminishing. Imperialism was also fueled by a desire to establish trade routes to asia to acquire spices, silk and other commodities. The development of new technologies in shipbuilding and maritime navigation also stimulated imperialism. Wherever there was settler colonialism (e. g. australia, canada, the u. s), the indigenous population was forcefully displaced and european settlers became the dominant population. Wherever elite colonialism was implemented, europeans became the political and economic elite, but the native populations tended to retain their cultures. Colonies became producers of raw materials for export to the mother country, and captive markets for manufactured goods from the metropole (mother country)
