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Cambridge AS-Level History (9489) Notes
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Notes required for Cambridge AS-Level History (9389/9489) which covers the International Option: International History, . Received an 'A*' in the exam.
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AS-LEVEL HISTORY (9489)INTERNATIONAL OPTION: INTERNATIONAL HISTORY, 1870-1945
1. Empire & the emergence of world powers, 1870-1919
1.1 Why was imperialism a significant force for late nineteenth century Europe?
● Imperialism: extending a country’s power/influence through colonisation
→ Economic & political motives for imperial expansion
● Background (16th-18th century)
○ Find/exploit new trading opportunities
○ Mercantilism: economic system of trade
■ Increase wealth through trade at the expense of others
es
■ Aim: limit cost of imports & increase value of exports
■ Enables accumulation of gold & silver
■ New lucrative market for European goods
■ Eg. slave trade
■ Declined in 18th century
ot
Economic motives Political motives
● Mercantilism was costly ● Growth of Nationalism
○ Maintaining control over overseas ○ 1871: Borders set (only changed by
N
possessions/protecting trade routes lost funds war)
■ Eg 1. Brit $$ wars to maintain N. America ● Imperialism as social policy
● Able to retain Canada but forced ○ Industrialisation = emergence of
to accept USA’s independence new working class
■ Eg 2. Collapsing Spanish Empire in Latin ■ Threatened political power
America
y
● Brazilian independence from
Portugal 1827
of the wealthy
○ Govt portrayed imperialism as
beneficial to all
ja
● New economic theories (Adam Smith circa ongoing Brit ■ Method of diverting
Industrial Rev) attention away from social,
○ Nation’s wealth shouldn’t be judged by amount of economic & political
gold/silver possessed inequalities
n
○ Suggested imperialism was more profitable ■ Argued: imperialism
○ Nation’s ability to increase its production provided finance required to
dependent on investment in new methods pay for social reform
Sa
○ Govt control over economy wasn't necessary ■ Used to unite people behind
■ Wealthy more likely to invest without govt aim: development of the
interference economic & political power
● Industrialisation of their nation through
○ Industrial Rev based on mechanism overseas expansion
○ Mass production → need to find new sources of ● Strategic control of key regions
raw materials & markets ○ Ports in colonised areas =
○ Entrepreneurs wanted new source of investments protection of vital trade routes =
ia
○ Britain (“The Workshop of the World”) military base
■ Industrial Rev = produce goods quicker & ○ Eg. Brit port in Cape Colony (S.
cheaper than any other nation Africa)
■ Development of steam powered machinery ● International prestige
n
impacted UK’s textile industries ○ Indication of nation’s greatness
■ New techniques for producing iron/steel ○ Colonies = status symbol
So
■ Railway/steamship = efficient transport ● National security
● Outlet for migration/overpopulation ○ Eg. Britain’s occupation of Egypt
● The ‘Long Depression’ protected Suez Canal (vital for Brit
○ Period of deflation (1873-96) Empire)
○ Rapid industrialisation across EU & US = ■ Quickly,
production exceeding demand ■ Cost effective
○ Led to protectionism (created need to open new ■ Shortened journey time to
markets to purchase exports) Africa/Asia
● Competition for raw materials
○ Identify & exploit new sources of raw materials (eg.
cotton (India), copper (S. Africa), tin (Msia) etc.)
Sonia Sanjay Notes.
, → The emergence of ‘New Imperialism”
● Nature of ‘New Imperialism” (1870-1914)
Geographic scope Maintaining peaceful relations New imperial countries
● Centred on Africa & ● Eg 1. Treaty of Berlin (1885) set out rules for EU ● Not confined to
Asia nations to carry out their plans for African great powers of
● Raw materials & expansion Europe
trade links with Far ○ Attempt to avoid possible confrontation (included US &
East ● Eg 2. EU nations prepared to collaborate against Japan)
es
the Chinese
● Other causes of New Imperialism
Humanitarian motives Technological motives
ot
● Opposition to slavery ● Medical advancement
○ 1820: Most EU govts banned slave ○ Africa: “the white man’s grave” due to
trade (‘repugnant to the principles of danger of disease (eg. malaria)
natural justice) ○ New treatments for diseases (eg. quinine
N
○ Slavery remained in Africa; EU believed for malaria) curbed fears
they had a moral duty to end the ○ Africa & Asia made more accessible to
practise Europeans
● Theory of racial superiority ● Infrastructure advancement
○ Early 19th cent: Johann Blumenbach &
ay ○ Industrial Rev = new/efficient production
Arthur de Gobineau developed methods
classification of races theories ○ Eg 1. 1856: Henry Bessemer’s (process)
○ Whites classified as racially superior system for mass production of high quality
■ “The White Man’s Burden”: had steel
nj
a duty to bring order, stability & ■ Facilitated development of
civilisation to lives of ‘pagan’ railways & steamships (quick &
Africans & Asians safe)
■ Brought medicine, law & ○ Eg 2. Telegraph network established
Sa
Christianity ■ 1981: cables reached from
■ David Livingstone (missionary London to Americas, India & NZ
explorer): essential to introduce ■ Easier to control overseas
Africans & Asians to 3 Cs: possessions
Commerce, Christianity & ● Weaponry
Civilisation ○ Development of fast firing rifles, machine
■ Helped missionaries spread the guns, heavy artillery gave EU advantage
ia
‘true religion’ over poorly armed Africans
○ Social Darwinism ■ Matabele War 1893: Enabled Brit
■ Proposed the white race was soldiers to gain swift victory
n
more developed against Africans
■ Supported superiority of ■ Proved territory in Africa/Asia can
Western society be taken with little resistance from
So
locals
→ Nature & purpose of the ‘Scramble for Africa’
● Started for logical, strategic & commercial reasons; descended into mad rush for overseas
possessions (national pride & prestige)
● Liberalism: EU emphasised perfectibility of man
● Britain
○ Original concern: protect vital Indian Ocean trading routes
○ Discovery of gold/diamonds in S. Africa brought Brit attention to Africa
■ Encouraged by imperial adventurer Cecil Rhodes’ success
Sonia Sanjay Notes.
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