“IMPERIALSM IN ASIA”

FINAL DRAFT SUBMITTED IN THE PARTIAL FULFILENT OF THE COURSE

(World History)

Submitted by: Submitted to:

ANDLIB IMROSE Dr. Priyadarshini

ROLL NO:1915 (3rd Semester) Assistant ProfessorOf History

BA .LL.B

Academic session-2018-2023

CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIERSITY

NyayaNagar ,Mithapur,Patna 80001

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Mostly doctrine sources and primary method of research was adopted in the making of this
project.

Few primary and secondary methods were used. Some literary works and books and articles
were referred and the internet through various websites wereuse extensively for the collection
of data which was required for the study needed for this research.

Research Questions

 What are the events affecting Imperialism in Asia.

 What are the social implication and consequences of Imperialism in Asia.
 How British Imperialism affected India.
 What are the factors that led Imperialism in South East Asia.

HYPOTHESIS

The early thrust of European political power, commerce, and culture in Asia gave rise to a
growing trade in lucrative commodities—a key development in the rise of today's modern
world free market economy.

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Contents
1) Introduction............................................................................................................................4
2)Imperialism Definition............................................................................................................5
3)Thinkers view on Imperialism................................................................................................6
4) Motives for Imperialism........................................................................................................8
5) How did imperialism spread around the world?....................................................................9
6) Imperialism in Asia..............................................................................................................10
6.1) Colonialism and Nationalism in Southeast Asia...........................................................11
6.2) Valuable Areas in Southeast and Central Asia.............................................................14
6.3) Varieties of Colonial Rule in Southeast Asia and Central Asia...................................14
6.4) Transformation as a Result of Imperialism in Southeast and Central Asia..................15
7) Imperialism in China...........................................................................................................15
8) Imperialism in India.............................................................................................................18
8.1) The Economic and Social Impact of Imperialism in India...........................................22
9) Imperialism in Japan............................................................................................................24
10) Consequences of Imperialism in Asia...............................................................................25
10.1) Effects of Imperialism ...............................................................................................25
11) Conclusion.........................................................................................................................28
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................29

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 1. Introduction

Imperialism has been described as a primarily western concept that employs “expansionist –
mercantilist and latterly communist – systems.” geographical domain such as the Persian
Empire, the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Portuguese Empire, the Spanish
Empire, the Dutch Empire, the French Empire the Russian Empire, the Chinese Empire, the
British Empire, or the American Empire, but the term can equally be applied to domains of
knowledge, beliefs, values and expertise, such as the empires of Christianity. Imperialism is
usually autocratic, and also sometimes monolithic in character. Europe’s expansion into
territorial imperialismhad much to do with the great economic benefit from collecting
resources from colonies, in combination with assuming political control often by military
means. Most notably, the “British exploited the political weakness of the Mughal state, and,
while military activity was important at various times, the economic and administrative
incorporation of local elites was also of crucial significance”. Although a substantial number
of colonies had been designed or subject to provide economic profit (mostly through the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries), Fieldhouse suggests that in the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries in places such as Africa and Asia, thisidea is not necessarily valid.
Imperialism in Asia traces its roots back to the late fifteenth century with a series of voyages
that sought a sea passage to India in the hope of establishing direct trade between Europe and
Asia in spices. Before 1500 European economies were largely self-sufficient, only
supplemented by minor trade with Asia and Africa. Within the next century, however,
European and Asian economies were slowly becoming integrated through the rise of new
global trade routes; and the early thrust of European political power, commerce, and culture
in Asia gave rise to a growing trade in lucrative commodities—akey development in the rise
of today's modern world free market economy. Imperialism is state policy, practice,
or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or
by gaining political and economic control of other areas. Because it always involves the use
of power, whether military force or some subtler form, imperialism has often been considered
morally reprehensible, and the term is frequently employed in international propaganda to
denounce and discredit an opponent’s foreign policy.1 Imperialism, sometimes called empire
building, is the policy of a nation to forcefully impose its rule or authority over other nations.

1
https://www.britannica.com/topic/imperialism

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Typically involving the unprovoked use of military force, imperialism has historically been
viewed as morally unacceptable. As a result, accusations of imperialism whether factual or
not are often used in propaganda denouncing a nation’s foreign policy. A broader definition
of imperialism is the extension or expansion—usually by the use of military force—of a
nation’s authority or rule over territories not currently under its control. This is
accomplished through the direct acquisition of land or economic and political
domination. Certainly, empires do not undertake the expenses and dangers of imperialistic
expansion without what their leaders consider ample justification. Throughout recorded
history, imperialism has been justified or at least rationalized under one or more of five
general theories.2 The policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of
a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the
political or economic life of other areas. 3

2
https://www.thoughtco.com/imperialism-definition-4587402
3
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperialism

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 2.Thinkers view on Imperialism

Marxist imperialism theory, and the related dependency theory, emphasise the economic
relationships among countries (and within countries), rather than formal political and military
relationships. Thus, imperialism is not necessarily direct formal control of one country
by another, but the economic exploitation of one by another. This Marxism contrasts with
the popular conception of imperialism , as directly-controlled colonial and neocolonial
empires.4

Per Lenin, Imperialism is Capitalism with five simultaneous features:

(1) Concentration of production and capital led to the creation of national and multinational
monopolies — not as in liberal economics, but as de facto power over their markets — while
"free competition" remains the domain of local and niche markets:

Free competition is the basic feature of capitalism, and of commodity production generally;
monopoly is the exact opposite of free competition, but we have seen the latter being
transformed into monopoly before our eyes, creating large-scale industry and forcing out
small industry, replacing large-scale by still larger-scale industry, and carrying concentration
of production and capital to the point where out of it has grown and is growing monopoly:
cartels, syndicates and trusts, and merging with them, the capital of a dozen or so banks,
which manipulate thousands of millions. At the same time the monopolies, which have
grown out of free competition, do not eliminate the latter, but exist above it and alongside it,
and thereby give rise to a number of very acute, intense antagonisms, frictions and conflicts.
Monopoly is the transition from capitalism to a higher system.

(2) Finance capital replaces industrial capital as industrialcapitalists rely more upon bank-
generated finance capital.

(3) Finance capital exportation replaces the exportation of goods (though they continue in
production).

(4) The economic division of the world, by multi-national enterprises via international
cartels.

4
http://ppesydney.net/marxist-theories-imperialism/

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(5) The political division of the world by the great powers, wherein exporting finance capital
to their colonies allows their exploitation for resources and continued investment. This
superexploitation of poor countries allows the capitalist industrial nations to keep some of
their own workers content with slightly higher living standards.5

Hobson seeks to explain the rise of the "new imperialism" in the 1870s and 1880s when
Britain, together with the other Great European powers, engaged in a scramble for colonies.
This move towards formal control over colonies was a break from the previous British
pattern, where it exercised its global dominance through free trade and "informal"
mechanisms of political control. Hobson argues that advanced industrial capitalism
produced an excess of capital that was unable to find any profitable outlet in the
domestic economy. This led to the search for new markets abroad. It was this process
that drove the pressure to annexe territories, both to safeguard existing investments and to
secure areas for new investments. But Hobson locates this drive to export capital as the result
of the search for profits by "rentier" financial interests around the City of London, allied to
certain sections of industry like arms manufactures and the shipping industry. 

Social Darwinism In 1859, Charles Darwin (1809–1882) published On the Origin of

Species. Darwin claimed that all life had evolved into the present state over millions of years.
To explain the long slow process of evolution, Darwin put forth the theory of natural
selection. Natural forces selected those with physical traits best adapted to their environment.
Darwin never promoted any social ideas. The process of natural selection came to be known
as survival of the fittest. The Englishman Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) was the first to apply
“survival of the fittest” to human societies and nations. Social Darwinism fostered
imperialistic expansion by proposing that some people were more fit (advanced) than others.
The Europeans believed that they, as the white race, were dominant and that it was only
natural for them to conquer the “inferior” people as nature’s way of improving
mankind. Thus, the conquest of inferior people was just, and the destruction of the weaker
races was nature’s natural law.6

5
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02529203.2015.1062227?journalCode=rssc20
6
https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/leading-figures/darwin-the-evolution-of-a-theory/

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 3.Motives for Imperialism

Various motives prompt empires to seek to expand their rule over other countries or
territories. These include economic, exploratory, ethnocentric, political, and religious
motives.

Economic: Imperial governments, and/or private companies under those governments,

sought ways to maximize profits. Economic expansion demanded cheap labor, access to or
control of markets to sell or buy products, and natural resources such as precious metals and
land; governments have met these demands by hook (tribute) or by crook (plunder). After the
advent of the Industrial Revolution, dependent colonies often provided to European factories
and markets the raw materials they needed to manufacture products. Imperial merchants
often established trading posts and warehouses, created transportation infrastructure, and
sought control over strategic choke points, such as the Suez Canal in Egypt (which allows
boats to cut thousands of miles of travel time between Asia and Europe). Imperial powers
often competed with each over for the best potential resources, markets, and trade.

Exploratory: Imperial nations or their citizens wanted to explore territory that was, to them,
unknown. Sometimes they did this for the purpose of medical or scientific research. At other
times, they did it for the sense of adventure. Invariably, imperial explorers sought to discover,
map, and claim territory before their imperial competition did, partly for national and
personal glory and partly to serve the imperialist goal of expansion.

Ethnocentric: Imperial nations sometimes believed that their cultural values or beliefs were
superior to other nations or groups. Imperial conquest, they believed, would bring successful
culture to inferior people. In the late 19th century, for example, European powers clung to the
racist belief that inferior races should be conquered in order to “civilize” them. The
Europeans acted on their ethnocentrism, the belief that one race or nation is superior to
others.

Political: Patriotism and growing imperial power spurred countries to compete with others
for supremacy. It’s a matter of national pride, prestige and security. Empires sought strategic
territory to ensure access for their navies and armies around the world. The empire must be
defended and, better yet, expanded. Political motives were often triggered as responses to
perceived threats to the security or prestige of the imperial power or its citizens abroad.

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Religious: During imperial expansion, religious people sometimes set out to convert new
members of their religion and, thus, their empire. Christian missionaries from Europe, for
example, established churches in conquered territories during the nineteenth century. In
doing so, they also spread Western cultural values. Typically, missionaries spread the
imperial nation’s language through educational and religious interactions, although some
missionaries helped to preserve indigenous languages. British missionaries led the charge to
stop the slavetrade in the nineteenth century, while others, such as French missionaries in
Vietnam during the same time period, clamored for their country to take over a nation.7

7
http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/Imperialism/section_2/motives.html

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 4. SPREAD OF IMPERIALISM

Although the Industrial Revolution and nationalism shaped European society in the 19th
century, imperialism — the domination by one country or people over another group of
people — dramatically changed the world during the latter half of that century. Imperialism
did not begin in the 19th century. From the 16th to the early 19th century, an era dominated
by what is now termed old imperialism, European nations sought trade routes with the Far
East, explored the New World, and established settlements in North and South America, as
well as in Southeast Asia. They set up trading posts and gained footholds on the coast of
Africa and China, and worked closely with the local rulers to ensure the protection of
European economic interests. Their influence, however, was limited.

In the Age of New Imperialism that began in the 1870s, European states established vast
empires mainly in Africa, but also in Asia and the Middle East. Unlike the 16th- and 17th-
century method of establishing settlements, the new imperialists set up the administration of
the native areas for the benefit of the colonial power. European nations pursued an aggressive
expansion policy that was motivated by economic needs that were created by the Industrial
Revolution. The expansion policy was also motivated by political needs that associated
empire building with national greatness, and social and religious reasons that promoted
the superiority of Western society over a backward society. Through the use of direct
military force, economic spheres of influence, and annexation, European countries dominated
the continents of Africa and Asia. By 1914, Great Britain controlled the largest number of
colonies and the phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire" described its vast holdings.
Imperialism had consequences that affected the colonial nations, Europe, and the world. It
also led to increased competition among nations and to conflicts that would disturb the peace
of the world in 1914.8

Imperialism in Asia Imperialism in Asia traces its roots back to the late fifteenth
century with a series of voyages that sought a sea passage to India in the hope of
establishing direct trade between Europe and Asia in spices. Before 1500 European
economies were largely self-sufficient, only supplemented by minor trade with Asia and
Africa. Within the next century, however, European and Asian economies were slowly
becoming integrated through the rise of new global trade routes; and the early thrust of
European political power, commerce, and culture in Asia gave rise to a growing trade in

8
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/history/how-did-imperialism-spread-around-the-world

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lucrative commodities a key development in the rise of today's modern world free market
economy. In the sixteenth century, the Portuguese established a monopoly over trade between
Asia and Europe by managing to prevent rival powers from using the water routes between
Europe and the Indian Ocean. However, with the rise of the rival Dutch East India Company,
Portuguese influence in Asia was gradually eclipsed. Dutch forces first established
independent bases in the East (most significantly Batavia, the heavily fortified headquarters
of the Dutch East India Company) and then between 1640 and 1660 wrestled Malacca,
Ceylon, some southern Indian ports, and the lucrative Japan trade from the Portuguese. Later,
the English and the French established settlements in India and established a trade with China
and their own acquisitions would gradually surpass those of the Dutch. Following the end of
the Seven Years' War in 1763, the British eliminated French influence in India and
established the British East India Company as the most important political force on the Indian
Subcontinent. Before the Industrial Revolution in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, demand
for oriental goods remained the driving force behind European imperialism, and (with the
important exception of British East India Company rule in India) the European stake in Asia
remained confined largely to trading stations and strategic outposts necessary to protect trade.
Industrialisation, however, dramatically increased European demand for Asian raw materials;
and the severe Long Depression of the 1870s provoked a scramble for new markets for
European industrial products and financial services in Africa, the Americas, Eastern Europe,
and especially in Asia. This scramble coincided with a new era in global colonial expansion
known as "the New Imperialism," which saw a shift in focus from trade and indirect rule to
formal colonial control of vast overseas territories ruled as political extensions of their
mother countries. Between the 1870s and the beginning of World War I in 1914, the United
Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands — the established colonial powers in Asia — added to
their empires vast expanses of territory in the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and
South East Asia. In the same period, the Empire of Japan, following the Meiji Restoration;
the German Empire, following the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871; Tsarist Russia;
and the United States, following the Spanish-American War in 1898, quickly emerged as new
imperial powers in East Asia and in the Pacific Ocean area. In Asia, World War I and World
War II were played out as struggles among several key imperial powers—conflicts involving
the European powers along with Russia and the rising American and Japanese powers. None
of the colonial powers, however, possessed the resources to withstand the strains of both
world wars and maintain their direct rule in Asia. Although nationalist movements
throughout the colonial world led to the political independence of nearly all of the Asia's
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remaining colonies, decolonisation was intercepted by the Cold War; and South East Asia,
South Asia, the Middle East, and East Asia remained embedded in a world economic,
financial, and military system in which the great powers compete to extend their influence.
However, the rapid post-war economic development of the East Asian Tigers and the
People's Republic of China, along with the collapse of the Soviet Union, have loosened
European and North American influence in Asia, generating speculation today about the
possible re-emergence of China and Japan as regional powers.9

Colonialism and Nationalism in Southeast Asia

Background
During the 1500s and 1600s the Europeans were able to take control of the international trade
of Asia, thereby diverting the profits from this trade to Europe.   As a result, the Europeans
became stronger while Asian empires and kingdoms became weaker.  By the 1800s the
Europeans were in a position to establish their authority over much of Asia, particularly the
Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia.

Colonialism
Six countries: Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, and the United States,
had colonies in Southeast Asia.

Portugal
The Portuguese had the least impact on Southeast Asia.  They captured Malacca in 1511,
holding it until the Dutch seized it in 1641.  Otherwise, they maintained only a small piece of
territory on the island of Timor, southeast of Bali.

Spain
Spain ruled the Philippines from its conquest of Cebu in 1565 and Manila in 1571 until its
defeat in the Spanish-American War in 1898.

The Netherlands
Dutch colonialism falls into two periods.  the first, that of the V.O.C., or Dutch East India
Company, lasted from 1605 to 1799.  The V.O.C. had little interest in territorial
administration; its primary concern was to maximize profits through trading monopolies.

9
https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-nanjing-atrocities/western-imperialism-east-asia

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When the V.O.C. collapsed in 1799, the Dutch government took control of its assets in 1825,
after the Napoleonic Wars, and began to bring the Indonesian archipelago under its
administrative authority.  This process was completed during the 1930s. At the end of the
Second World War, the Dutch had hoped to retain the Netherlands East Indies as a colony,
but the Indonesians opposed the return of the Dutch, setting up a republic in 1945.  In 1949,
after four years of fighting, the Indonesians gained their independence with the assistance of
the United Nations which served as a mediator between the Indonesians and the Dutch.

Great Britain
The British conquered Burma, fighting three Anglo-Burmese Wars in 1824-26, 1852, and
1885-86.  Unlike other colonies which maintained their ethnic identity, Burma was a
province of British India.  The Burmese, therefore, had two sets of rulers, the British at the
top with the Indians in the middle.  In 1935 the British agreed to separate Burma from India,
putting this agreement into effect in 1937.  Burma was able to negotiate its independence
from Great Britain in 1948.10 Penang (acquired in 1786), Singapore (founded by Raffles in
1819), and Malacca (Melaka, acquired in 1824), were governed by Britain as the Straits
Settlements.  The Straits Settlements served as a base for British expansion into the Malay
Peninsula between 1874 and 1914.  When the Malay States entered into negotiations for their
independence--achieved in 1957--Penang and Malacca became part of Malaysia as did
Singapore in 1963.  However, Singapore was asked to withdraw from the federation in1965. 
Singapore has been an independent city state since that date.   Sarawak and Sabah which
joined Malaysia in 1963 continue to remain members of the federation.

France
France moved into Vietnam in 1858, capturing Saigon in 1859.  Using the south, then called
Cochin China, as a base the French moved west and north completing the conquest of
Indochina by 1907.  (Indochina--the five territories under French authority: Cochin China,
Annam, Tongking, Laos, and Cambodia.)  The French also wanted to retain their colony after
the Second World War.  The Vietnamese rejected French rule, and after defeating the French
at Dien Bien Phu, obtained their independence at the Geneva Conference in 1954.

The United States

The United States moved into the Philippines as a result of the peace settlement with Spain in

10
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/ty/COLONIALISM_%20IN_SE
%20ASIA.htm#targetText=Introduction,was%20imposed%20over%20Southeast%20Asia

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1898.  The Filipinos were granted a Commonwealth (internal autonomy) government in
1935, and their independence in 1946.

Thailand
Thailand continued to be independent.  It was the only Southeast Asian state to remain
independent during the colonial period.11

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Valuable Areas in Southeast and Central Asia  Some of the most valuable areas included
Burma which provided a source of teak, ivory, rubies, and jade. By the 1880's, England had
established colonial authority in Burma. Also Singapore served as a valuable area because
after creating the port of Singapore in 1824 by Thomas Stamford Raffles, it soon became the
busiest center of trade in the Strait of Melaka. This allowed Singapore to serve as the base for
British conquest of Malaya which provided abundant supplies of tin and rubber. These
conquests gave British lots of power because British could control many of the sea-lanes
linking the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea. 

Varieties of Colonial Rule in Southeast Asia and Central Asia Much of Central Asia was
in the Russian Empire. During the Great Game, Russia had mapped terrain, scouted mountain
passes, and sought alliances with local rulers from Afghanistan to the Aral Sea. This was
done to prepare the anticipated war for India; however, World War 1 and the fall of the tsarist

11
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/wilson/colonialism.htm
12
https://encryptedtbn0.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcQlNASEcH45n5tH_qUBof51oyMENAPjmJAUdos2X7VEneCBlMtUw

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government ensured that there was no contest over India.The French colonial officials
created European style schools and sought to establish close connections with the native elite.
British, and Russia did not encourage conversion to Christianity among their colonies, but the
French officials created churches and infrastructure to encourage their colonies to convert.

Transformation as a Result of Imperialism in Southeast and Central Asia The Asian

states were largely affected due to the colonization embarked by the European powers and
Russia. Because the French encouraged conversion to Christianity, the Roman Catholic
church became more prominent in modern day Vietnam. This exposure to new culture
changed people and how they lived. Also the established European schools created new ideas
for different education systems, and affected the cultures in the colonies. 13

13
https://worldhistorycaussey.weebly.com/imperialism-in-central-and-southeast-
asia.html#targetText=Transformation%20as%20a%20Result%20of,prominent%20in%20modern%20day

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 5.Imperialism in China

The primary motive of British imperialism in China in the nineteenth century was
economic. There was a high demand for Chinese tea, silk and porcelain in the British
market. However, Britain did not possess sufficient silver to trade with the Qing
Empire. Thus, a system of barter based on Indian opium was created to bridge this
problem of payment.  The subsequent exponential increase of opium in China between
1790 and 1832 brought about a generation of addicts and social instability.  Clashes
between the Qing government and British merchants ultimately escalated into the
infamous Opium Wars. As a result, the British were given the island of Hong Kong and
trading rights in the ports of Canton and Shanghai. Although British imperialism never
politically took hold in mainland China, as it did in India or Africa, its cultural and
political legacy is still evident today. Honk Kong remains a significant center of global
finance and its government still functioned in much of the same ways as it did under British
colonialism. Furthermore, the language of English and British culture highly impacted the
society of Hong Kong and Southern China for over a century. During the Qing dynasty, the
Chinese became extremely reserved and believed in self-sufficient, which means that they
will only engage in transaction of goods and resources within its own country. The officials
of China view maritime commercial trade with the European powers as unimportant, whereas
British saw maritime trade as the key to their economy. No products, industial or not, could
satisfy and convince the Chinese officials to open trade, as the Qianglong emperor had told
Lord George Macartney, the British delegation to China, "the kings of the myriad nations
come by land and sea with all sort of precious things," and "consequently there is nothing we
lack...". Chinese does not need anything, raw materials or finished products, except for silver.
There are actually a legend that saids of a visit of an European delegate, probably from Great
Britain to China. The legends goes that the Chinese emperor refuse trade with the nation that
the delegate represents simply because the European delegates refuse to abase himself by
saluting to the Chinese Emperor, which the Chinese views as a sign of respect and obedience,
showing that the European nation that the delegate represents is inferior to China. China had
always view its own Emperor as the emperor of all beings.14 In respond to such action, China
confiscated all stocks of opium that belongs to Great Britain in 1839, causing Great Britain to
declare war on China the following year, starting the opium wars.

14
http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/moderneurope/tao-he/#targetText=The%20primary%20motive%20of
%20British,porcelain%20in%20the%20British%20market.&targetText=Clashes%20between%20the%20Qing
%20government,into%20the%20infamous%20Opium%20Wars.

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Just as a recap to the military and science advancement of the Qing dynasty of China. China
has long close its borders and emphasize on self-sufficient. Ever since Zheng He's great
expedition to the Indian ocean, China has abandoned its progress on sea sailing and maritime
technology, thus loosing ground on this area of study. In fact, all technological advances of
China has stalled as there are less war, and there are no need for advance weaponry. China
had ever since focus more on the welfare of the emperor. The new dynasties was also known
for its exclusiveness, its rule of forbidding other religions apart from its own, and refusing to
accept new ideas. This exclusiveness has limit the contact and cooperation between itself and
the European nations, which proved fatal, as China was already behind on the arm race (The
European nations have guns, cannons, and even steam ships by the time the Chinese are still
using swords, bows, obsolete front-loading-powder cannons, and wooden sailboats) and that
is the only way to catch up with the progress.15 The opium wars, which are composed of two
separate wars, showed China that it is no longer the best of the nations. The steamship
outgunned the Chinese junks (wooden sail powered warships) so much that the navy
confrontations were more of a massacre and less like a battle. The ground warfare was no
better for the Chinese, despite being able to stall the British progress with some pyrrhic
victory, the British army crushed any Chinese resistance with little casualties. The final battle
of Chinking allows Great Britain to capture Nanking, forcing China to sign the first unequal
treaty, the treaty of Nanking. The Treaty of Nanking demanded war reparation from China to
Great Britain, forced China to open up the five ports of Canton, Amoy, Fuchow, Ningpo, and
Shinghai to western trade and missionaries, and to cede the Hong Kong Island to Britain.
This is a huge humiliation to the Qing dynasty and fueled huge uprising of the local Chinese
population against the already unpopular regime. This is the start of the century of
humiliation. Following the second opium war in 1856, where British took further lands and
conquered the Chinese capital of Beijing, the Taiping rebellion from 1850 to 1860, where the
revolutionary Chinese fought with the Qing dynasty, the Russian-Chinese war in 1860, where
Russia take Manchuria the entire north-eastern part of China and Mongolia away, the Sino-
French War in 1884, where the French also imperialized southern China, and the Sino-
Japanese war, where a huge Chinese military humiliation took place when their newly
equipped navy, with steam powered battleships from Germany, was decisively defeated and
butchered by the navy of Imperial Japan at the battle of the Yalu River in 1894, also known
as the battle of the yellow sea. After which they seceded several north eastern territories and
the entire Taiwan island to Japan. As a result of of all these wars, all European nations,
15
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_imperialism.htm

17
including Russia and Japan, have set up their own occupations and spheres of influence in
China. Even Germany successfully occupied the Jiaozhou Bay with the excuse of the murder
of two German officials in China. However the occupation prompted a "scramble for
concession", during which Germany is officially granted the ownership of jiaozhou Bay, the
Russian acquisition of Liaodong, and the extension of Great Britain's claim over Hong
Kong.16 Completely bedeviled by external pressure and internal unrest, the Chinese group of
the boxers, with the support of the emperor of China, attack, assaulted and lay siege to the
European commissions in Beijing, killing as many as 200 European civilians. In response, the
Eight-Nation Alliance of Italy, United States, France, Austrio-Hungary, Imperial Japanese,
Germany, Russia, and Great Britain send out their coalition army and successfully crushed
the Boxers rebellion and release the siege of the European civilians. It wasn't until after world
war 2 was finish, when the imperial Japan and the Capitalistic nationalists of China has been
pushed out of China by a newly united communist China that China had finally declared its
independence in 1949, ending all the imperialism and its age of humiliation. This period of
history has instead cause depredation and tumult for all Chinese citizens, but after this all
finished, China had again aligned itself on its path to world super power ever since the
imperialism has brought China from the ancient swords and superstitions into the modern age
of reason and gunpowder, it will forever remain as a lesson to all Chinese, teaching them to
never stop progressing and changing itself to adapt to the new world. This historical event
has huge impact on new Chinese policies from the later 20th century to nowadays. Instead of
self-sufficient and close door policy, China rely on globalization, commercial trade and
transaction with other countries more than any thing nowadays. In fact, China became so
powerful now just because its huge population served as the major consumers of goods from
all over the world, lots of other countries manage to survive and prosper because of trade
with China, because of Chinese citizens purchasing their goods. China, in return, prospered
from selling numerous manufactured resources to countries all over the world at low prices.
There are other impacts too. The Chinese citizens of China will never forget the humiliation
they suffered at the hands of the western imperialists, Russia, and japan. They even has a day
named as the "national humiliation day" to honor the century of humiliation. Their textbook
talk about the past by saying "a rich, glorious civilizations was humiliated and  brought to its
knees, their lands lost, and borders redrawn, their people forced to endure barbarous cruelty
and suffering". The legacy of redrawn borders cause China to become extremely inflexible

16
https://alphahistory.com/chineserevolution/foreign-imperialism-in-china/

18
when it comes to lands that it believe was "lost" due to colonialism. This is probably caused
by their desire regain their supreme position again.17

6. Imperialism in India

17
https://shiqinlin2000.weebly.com/self-directed-learning/the-story-and-impacts-of-imperialism-on-china

19
The British took control of India in 1763, after defeating the French in the Seven Years’ War
(1756–1763). The British controlled India through the British East India Company,
which ruled with an iron hand. In 1857, an Indian revolt, led by native soldiers called
sepoys, led to an uprising known as the Sepoy Mutiny. After suppressing the rebellion,
the British government made India part of the empire in 1858, as mentioned previously.
The British introduced social reforms, advocated education, and promoted technology.
Britain profited greatly from India, which was called the “Crown Jewel of the British
Empire.” The Indian masses, however, continued to live close to starvation and the British
had little respect for the native Indian culture. The Dutch held the Dutch East Indies and
extended their control over Indonesia, while the French took over Indochina (Cambodia,
Laos, and Vietnam). The Russians also got involved and extended their control over the area
of Persia (Iran).18

As Indian spices, like Indian wealth, were world famous, so many invaders came to India.
With an interest in trade, small European ships in the early 1600s came to South Asia,
especially in search of spices. India at that time was being ruled by Mughals from Afghan. So
their first encounter was withthe Mughal Empire.

18
https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/history/british-imperialism-in-india
19
https://d1u4oo4rb13yy8.cloudfront.net/article/ifbunzefwi-1536755225.jpg

20
Mughal rulers, who were Muslims and Afghans, used to work in close connection with local
Hindu rulers. Famous Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) even married Hindu princesses to
expand his rule in India. There existed a very strong regionality in India that had never
allowed cultural unification of India. This was the weakest point of India. Moreover, India on
the political front was never united. Till 1700, the Mughal Empire enjoyed its peak but
then it started to decline in India because Hindu rulers with time went against the
biased policies of Mughals. As per these policies, non-Muslims had to pay more taxes.
Hindu Marathas dishonored the Mughals Hindus and Sikhs at large and started
disliking the Mughal leadership. So, a sort of turmoil was going on when the British
came to India. On the other hand, Europeans had a more powerful and advanced army.
Hence, the regional Nawabs of that time started visiting Europeans for military support
and protection. At the same time, Europeans were more interested in trade and Mughals
became uninterested in the trade at shore as they used to get revenue from agricultural taxes.
So, Mughals were no longer guarding the coast. This gave a way to British and their rule in
India. Seeing India’s potential in trade and market, the economic interest of British started
growing in India. The East India Company with this interest, set up three trading posts
one each at Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. Initially Europeans traders were kept under
control by the strong Mughal Empire. But the decline of Mughal Empire by 1707 made
a way for the British to win Indian territories. In 1757, the Battle of Plassey was the
first victory of the British East India Company in which Robert Clive was leading the
troops.20 With time, control of the East India Company over Indian territories started
increasing and now it was including modern Bangladesh and most of southern India and
almost all the regions along the River Ganges in North India. The East India Company and
all its efforts in India as well as London wereultimately regulated by the British Government.
But the company had its own army of sepoys that was led by British Officers. Initially, the
British were interested in India for its immense potential for profit. But with the Industrial
Revolution in Britain, British interest in India changed to become even more profit oriented.
Now, India was the source of raw materials as wellas her large population was thepossible
market for British-made goods. With this, India became the most valuable market and nation
for British colonies. But this was totally against the development of India as all sorts of
restrictions were put on India to curb the Indian economy. Indians wereforced to buy British-
made goods and along with this, Indian goods were not allowed to compete with British
goods. All the local producers and handloom textile industry of India was put out of business.
20
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-mughal-empire-in-india-195498

21
The British laid down an extensive railroad network for transporting raw material from
interior parts of India. India was a great source of cotton, coffee, tea, jute, indigo and opium.
British used to sell opium to China for tea that they sold in England. The British now held
economic as well as political power over India. Many villages suffered, as much emphasis
was laid on cash crop, rather than on the self-sufficiency of the British. This resulted in the
less production of crop for food. Due to this, a great famine in the late 1880s occurred in
India. Even the religious as well as traditional life in India started getting affected as British
increased the number of missionaries to promote Christianity. By 1850, almost the entire
India was under the control of British, but now a discontent started taking place in the hearts
of Indians. Constant racism and British attempts to convert Indians to Christianity was the
major reason for this discontent. The outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was the first war
for independence, in which 85-90 Indian sepoys refused to accept cartridges that they
believed were greased with beef and pork fat. The outbreak was so wide that the East India
Company took almost a year to regain full control over India. A Hindu and Muslim split was
the main reason why Indians were weak in front of the British. Some Hindus were totally
against Mughal rule and were in favor of British rule. But the Mutiny can be called a turning
point in Indian history. In 1858, after the Mutiny, the British government took full control of
India. Now India directly came under British rule. From then onwards, there was a change in
the mindset of Indians as well. They were uniting hands for freedom and from time-to-time
Indian history had seen many struggles for freedom. British imperialism in India had
impacted the nation adversely. First of all, India’s wealth was drained to a great extent during
this period. British rule in India hit the Indian economy so hard that it was never able to
recover. Religious conflicts and gaps expanded. Local handicraft and cotton industries were
ruined, as the British wanted to promote and sell their products. Food production was reduced
as more and more opium was being produced for selling it to other countries. This led to
great famines and poverty in India.21

21
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/inglorious-empire-what-the-british-did-to-india-1.2981299

22
 22

The Economic and Social Impact of Imperialism in India British imperialism was more
pragmatic than that of other colonial powers. Its motivation was economic, not evangelical.
There was none of the dedicated Christian fanaticism which the Portuguese and Spanish
demonstrated in Latin America and less enthusiasm for cultural diffusion than the French (or
the Americans) showed in their colonies. For this reason they westernized India only to a
limited degree. British interests were of several kinds. At first the main purpose was to
achieve a monopolistic trading position. Later it was felt that a regime of free trade would
make India a major market for British goods and a source of raw materials, but British
capitalists who invested in India, or who sold banking or shipping service there, continued
effectively to enjoy monopolistic privileges. India also provided interesting and lucrative
employment for a sizeable portion of the British upper middle class, and the remittances they
sent home made an appreciable contribution to Britain's balance of payments and capacity to
save. Finally, control of India was a key element in the world power structure, in terms of
geography, logistics and military manpower. The British were not averse to Indian economic
development if it increased their markets but refused to help in areas where they felt there
was conflict with their own economic interests or political security. Hence, they refused to
give protection to the Indian textile industry until its main competitor became Japan rather
than Manchester, and they did almost nothing to further technical education. They introduced
some British concepts of property, but did not push them too far when they met vested
interests. The main changes which the British made in Indian society were at the top. They
22
https://swh-826d.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Imperialism-in-India-1.jpg

23
replaced the wasteful warlord aristocracy by a bureaucratic-military establishment, carefully
designed by utilitarian technocrats, which was very efficient in maintaining law and order.
The greater efficiency of government permitted a substantial reduction in the fiscal burden,
and a bigger share of the national product was available for landlords, capitalists and the new
professional classes. Some of this upper class income was siphoned off to the UK, but the
bulk was spent in India. However, the pattern of consumption changed as the new upper class
no longer kept harems and palaces, nor did they wear fine muslins and damascened swords.
This caused some painful readjustments in the traditional handicraft sector. It seems likely
that there was some increase in productive investment which must have been near zero in
Moghul India: government itself carried out productive investment in railways and irrigation
and as a result there was a growth in both agricultural and industrial output. The new elite
established a Western life-style using the English language and English schools. New towns
and urban amenities were created with segregated suburbs and housing for them. Their habits
were copied by the new professional elite of lawyers, doctors, teachers, journalists and
businessmen. Within this group, old caste barriers were eased and social mobility increased. 23
As far as the mass of the population were concerned, colonial rule brought few significant
changes. The British educational effort was very limited. There were no major changes in
village society, in the caste system, the position of untouchables, the joint family system, or
in production techniques in agriculture. British impact on economic and social development
was, therefore, limited. Total output and population increased substantially but the gain in per
capita output was small or negligible.24

7.Imperialism in Japan
23
https://www.irishtimes.com/
24
http://www.ggdc.net/maddison/articles/moghul_3.pdf

24
Japan was the only Asian country that did not become a victim of imperialism. In the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Japanese expelled Europeans from Japan and closed
Japanese ports to trade with the outside world, allowing only the Dutch to trade at Nagasaki.
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry (1866–1925), an American naval officer, led an
expedition to Japan. He convinced the shogun, a medieval-type ruler, to open ports for trade
with the United States. Fearful of domination by foreign countries, Japan, unlike China,
reversed its policy of isolation and began to modernize by borrowing from the West. The
Meiji Restoration, which began in 1867, sought to replace the feudal rulers, or the shogun,
and increase the power of the emperor. The goal was to make Japan strong enough to
compete with the West. The new leaders strengthened the military and transformed Japan
into an industrial society. The Japanese adopted a constitution based on the Prussian model
with the emperor as the head. The government was not intended to promote democracy but to
unite Japan and make it equal to the West. The leaders built up a modern army based on a
draft and constructed a fleet of iron steamships. The Japanese were so successful that they
became an imperial power. In the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95, Japan defeated China and
25
https://www.writework.com/uploads/5/56225/english-greater-east-asia-co-prosperity-sphere-map.png

25
forced her to give up her claims in Korea. Japan also gained control of its first colonies—
Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands—and shocked the world by defeating Russia in the
Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905. Japan’s victory was the first time that an Asian country
had defeated a European power in over 200 years.26

8.Consequences of Imperialism in Asia

26
http://www.iun.edu/~hisdcl/G369_2002/japanese_imperialism.htm

26
The imperialism changed both Western society and its colonies. Through it, Western
countries established the beginning of a global economy in which the transfer of goods,
money, and technology needed to be regulated in an orderly way to ensure a continuous flow
of natural resources and cheap labor for the industrialized world. Imperialism adversely
affected the colonies. Under foreign rule, native culture and industry were destroyed.
Imported goods wiped out local craft industries. By using colonies as sources of raw
materials and markets for manufactured goods, colonial powers held back the colonies from
developing industries. One reason why the standard of living was so poor in many of these
countries was that the natural wealth of these regions had been funneled to the mother
countries. Imperialism also brought confrontation between the cultures. By 1900, Western
nations had control over most of the globe. Europeans were convinced that they had superior
cultures and forced the people to accept modern or Western ways. The pressures to
westernize forced the colonial people to reevaluate their traditions and to work at
discouraging such customs as foot binding in China and sati in India. Sati was the custom in
which a virtuous woman (sati) threw herself onto her husband’s funeral fire in the hope that
the sacrificial act would wipe away the sins of both her husband and herself. Although
imperialism exploited and abused colonial people, Western countries introduced modern
medicine that stressed the use of vaccines and more sanitary hygiene that helped to save lives
and increase life expectancy.27 Imperialism is when a mother country takes over a smaller
nation or colony for political, social, and/or economic reasons. Imperialism has been a major
force in shaping the modern world. The effects of Imperialism have been interpreted from a
variety of viewpoints. This major Imperialism occurred during the late 19th Century and
early 20th century. It had more negative effects in the modern world today then positive
effects. A positive effect is seen in document one called "Modern Progressive Nations," it
shows how the larger nations gave to the smaller colonies. The nations built them roads,
canals, and railways. Showed them the telegraph, newspaper, established schools for them,
gave them the blessing of their civilization, and overall made them economized. They were
part of modern culture after this occurred. Another positive effect is seen in document three
called "Colonial Governments and Missionaries. " It shows how the colonial governments
introduced improved medical care, and better methods of sanitation. There were new crops;
tools and farming methods, which helped, increase food production. These changes meant
less death to smaller colonies, and overall improve the state of living. They now could live

27
http://www.preservearticles.com/history/impact-of-westsern-colonialism-and-imperialism-on-asia-and-
africa/11358

27
longer and have better sanitation compared to the earlier imperialism. A negative effect is
seen document two-called "Colonization." In the picture we can see that the colonies doing
the mother countrys hard work did not civilize the smaller colonies. They were put to work
as cheap labor. They had no freedom, had to do what the mother country said since it has so
much towering power over them, they were exploited and were taken advantage of. Another
negative effect is seen in document four called "Missionaries." In this quote you can see that
when the white people came to the Africans they had nothing but power over them. They
came with the Bible and no land, and instead took their land and forced the religion
Christianity upon them. In document five-called "The White Man," another negative effect
occurs. In this little tale or quote, David Diop talks about how the whites came and killed the
innocent. This had many negative effects on Africa such as the African's were put to work as
slaves but more like cheap labor. Many of them dies from this, they were resettled,
exploited, weren't taken at their free will and took all of their land. The last negative effect
can be seen in document seven called "The German Cartoon." This cartoon shows how
severely the presence of imperialism affected such continents as Africa. The man in the
machine is being forced to drink hard liquor and alcohol, they were corrupted and given evil
minds, their money was all taken away, and most of all religion was forced upon them.
Imperialism is never considered as a good cause and effect. At first when it occurs it may
seem as a positive effect, but in the long run, for example in this case it was a negative effect.
All Africans and Asians were heavily exploited and were given no rights to do anything even
though the mother countries gave them modern culture. Colonies inside colonies would fight
because they wanted independence and have their own government and rule. There were
many ethnics group that had nationalistic feelings but could not accomplish anything and
become a free nation because of Imperialism. The mother country's that did the taking over
were only after a few things and unfortunately did happen to accomplish what they were
after. They wanted raw materials, markets for goods, national glory, balance of power and
they also felt as though they needed to help smaller nations as though it was their burden,
which Europeans called "White Man's Burden." In their point of view they thought they
were helping people but really all they were doing was hurting the smaller colonies. Mother
countries were destroying ethnic groups and causing civil wars between smaller nations.
This newer modern Imperialism was never productive. When a mother country took over a
smaller colony for economic, political or social reason, they were Imperialistic. As shown
they changed the modern world plenty and pretty much made it a harder world to live in at
that time. It all depends on which viewpoints we may look at. Some may think it was a
28
positive thing but overall, it only led to things in this world that were negative. Even thought
the modern Imperialism occurred no more then 100 years ago, it still affects us greatly, and
how our nation is broken down. 28

9. Conclusion

28
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/bob-maier-imperialism-political-economic-social-consequences-by-bob-
maier-black-red-number-1-se

29
Empire building is an old theme in world history. Societies have sought to dominate weaker
neighbors as long ago as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, all the way through to the present.
Motivations have been similar - to obtain natural resources, to subdue enemies, to accrue
wealth, to win power and glory - but until the rise of the west, most empires have expanded
to territories next to their borders. With the combination of sea power, centralized
governments, and industrialized economies, European nations set out to build empires all
over the world, like none that had been seen before. They were driven by the need to provide
raw materials for their industrial capacity, and the types of goods exchanged were determined
by that need. Colonial powers began as early as the first decades of the sixteenth century.
From the 16th century until the 20th century, the major colonizers in Southeast Asia were
European powers, including the British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese. Besides the
Europeans, Japanese and the Americans used to colonize Southeast Asian countries as well.
Southeast Asians were under the European powers because Asian empires and kingdom
declined while the Europeans became stronger. Moreover, Europeans was aiming to expand
their territory, export the raw materials to Europe, explore the new markets, expand their
trading routes, spread their culture and religion, etc. Hence, there were several reasons for the
European powers to colonize Southeast Asia, mainly for the political, economic, and cultural
purpose. After the long and prosperous rules of Kangxi and Qianlong in the 17th and 18th
centuries, problems of the Qing Dynasty began to mount during the early 19th century. It
suffered from many old land-based ailments, such as long borders to defend and the
challenge of keeping transportation and communication routes operating, but they also faced
other serious issues. The Manchu, rulers of the Qing dynasty, were originally a northern
group that conquered the Han Chinese under Ming rule. Han Chinese, as they did under
Mongol rule, pushed for restoration of rule to the natives. The dynasty also began to
experience significant revolts from minorities, and the government, under an increasingly
corrupt line of rulers, was not able to deal with them properly. As the Chinese dynastic cycle
was clearly going into decline, Europeans sensed the problems, and began to push for trading
rights that China had been reluctant to grant in earlier times. With the Mughal Empire
significantly weakened, the French established trading cities along the Indian coast during the
18th century, but the British East India Company had pushed them out by the early 1800s.
The British were still following the model of government support for private companies that
they had used in colonizing North America during the 19th century. The company forced the
Mughals to recognize company rule first over Bengal, and when the old Mughal Empire was
defeated in the 18th century by Iranian armies, the British pushed for economic control over
30
more and more areas. Again India fell into the familiar pattern of decentralized independent
states ruled by nawabs, native princes who had nominally supported the Mughal emperor,
and the company made agreements with them that were economically advantageous to the
British. The era from 1750-1914 was clearly one of growing European power and domination
of the globe. Industrialization created unprecedented wealth, and new western political ideas
spawned strong, centralized states that directed empires around the world. However, the new
political ideas encouraged nationalism, which on the one hand strengthened the industrialized
countries, but on the other hand caused the people that they dominated to resent their control.
The potential for worldwide power and riches also intensified the conflict and competition
that had long existed among European states. In 1914 these conflicts came to the surface and
erupted into a Great War that ushered in the new, very different era of the 20th century.
Imperialism is never considered as a good cause and effect. At first when it occurs it may
seem as a positive effect, but in the long run, for example it was a negative effect. All
Asians were heavily exploited and were given no rights to do anything even though the
mother countries gave them modern culture.

Bibliography

31
Websites:

 https://www.theglobalist.com/european-imperialism-in-asia/
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-tcc-worldciv2/chapter/british-
imperialism-in-asia/
 https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-nanjing-
atrocities/western-imperialism-east-asia
 http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/moderneurope/tao-he/
 http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_imperialism.htm
 https://alphahistory.com/chineserevolution/foreign-imperialism-in-china/
Books :

 A little history of the world - by E.H. Gombrich

 A Short History of Nearly Everything- by Bill Bryson
 The Histories-by Herodotus
 The Face of Imperialism -by Michael Parenti
 Culture and Imperialism -by Edward W. Said

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1)

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34