GEOG 130 Lecture Notes - Innocent Passage, Northern Sea Route, Continental Shelf
Geog 130 – Oct 20
Political Geography (week 7/ pg 33-72)
Exploration & Colonialism
- Imperialism: the process by which one powerful state or territory seeks to control
another, weaker territory (or population)
- The creation of Empires -- Empires
oProcess doesn’t adhere to the nation-state model – empires are additions to, not
replacements for, the nation-state
oEmpires are multinational by definition
- Colonialism
oLed by European States
Earliest colonial powers: Spain, Portugal
Followed by other Western European States (e.g., Britain, France,
Netherlands, Italy, Belgium…)
Other colonial powers include the United States, Russia, and Japan
Colonialism begun around 1500
Typically the result of exploration
Maximum extent in the late 19th century
Most colonies dissolved during the 20th century
oThe exploring country
The possessor of power
Determined the economic, social, and political activity, according to their
needs
oAboriginal Populations
Relocated or eliminated when they presented a threat
oTook the form of territorial conquest
Competition for colonies amoung exploring countries (15th – 20th century
E.g., the Americas, Asia, Africa
oMotivations for colonialism
A result of internal social and political complexity, turmoil and
competition in Europe – Feudal system; economic competition; demands
resulting from economic growth; the ambitions of individual officials,
business interests
Economic motivations – colonies provided natural resources for domestic
industries and new markets for industrial products
Strategic value of Annexed Territory
National Prestige**
Allowed for dispersal of population
People could leave crowded areas of Britain to live in the colonies
(Canada, Australia, South Africa)
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Document Summary
Imperialism: the process by which one powerful state or territory seeks to control another, weaker territory (or population) The creation of empires -- empires: process doesn"t adhere to the nation-state model empires are additions to, not replacements for, the nation-state, empires are multinational by definition. Followed by other western european states (e. g. , britain, france, Other colonial powers include the united states, russia, and japan. Maximum extent in the late 19th century. Most colonies dissolved during the 20th century: the exploring country. Determined the economic, social, and political activity, according to their needs: aboriginal populations. Relocated or eliminated when they presented a threat: took the form of territorial conquest. Competition for colonies amoung exploring countries (15th 20th century. E. g. , the americas, asia, africa: motivations for colonialism. A result of internal social and political complexity, turmoil and competition in europe feudal system; economic competition; demands resulting from economic growth; the ambitions of individual officials, business interests.
