5. 19th Century Imperialism DBQ Essay Question: Based on your own knowledge and on the documents and sources provided, evaluate the truthfulness of the following quote: “The Europeans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were convinced that they were helping the people of Africa, yet the facts reveal just the opposite.” Document # Source Cecil Rhodes “Confession of Faith” 1877 Political Cartoon of Henry Stanley's Letter (Harnessing African Resources”) 1897 Roger Casement “Death in the Congo” 1903 ‘Map of Africa in 1914 Mary H. Kingsley “Travels in West Africa” 1897 on wMmH alDOCUMENT Cecil Rhodes Confession of Faith (1877), From: Kishlansk : Sources of World Histo jecil Rhodes (1853-1902) was one of the greatest ofall of the European ‘empire builders. He left his mark on the continent of Africa with the De Beers diamond mines and founded the whitedominated state of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Rhodes was a sickly child who went to South Africa in hope of improving his health. Once there, he became caught up in diamond fever. He began by forming parmerships and staking claims. By 1891 he owned 90 percent of all the diamond-producing mines in South Africa. His investments {hn gold mines were equally lucrative, and he became one of the richest men in the world. Rhodes was heavily involved in British political policy in South ‘Africa and was forced to resign his offices after the abortive Jameson Raid. He died in 1902, leaving most of his fortune to philanthropic projects, including the establishment of the Rhodes scholarships that send American and Ger- man students to England. Rhodes's Confession of Faiths in the form of a final testament. It expounds his views on racial supremacy, religion, and imperialism. Ieoften strikes a man to inquite what is the chief 00d in life: © one the thought comes that itis ‘happy marriage, to another great wealth, and as each seizes on his idea, for that he more or less works for the restof his existence. To myself thinking over the same question the wish came to render myself useful to my country. I then asked myself how could Land after reviewing the various methods I have felt that at the present day we are actually limiting our children and perhaps bringing into the world half the human beings we might owing to the lack of country for them to inhabit that if we had retained America there would at this moment be millions more of English living. I contend that we are the finest race in the world and that the more of the world wwe inhabit the better itis for the human race. ‘Just fancy those parts that are at present inhabic- ‘ed by the most despicable specimens of human beings what an alteration there would be if they were brought under Anglo-Saxon influence, look again at the extra employment a new coun- tyadded to our dominions gives. I contend that every acre added to our territory means in the future birth to some more of the English race who otherwise would not be brought into exis tence. Added to this the absorption of the ‘greater portion of the world under our rule sim- ply means the end of all wars, at this moment had we not lost America I believe we could have sopped the RussianTurkish way by merely refusing money and supplies. Having these ideas what scheme could we think of to forward this object. I look into history and I read the story of the Jesuits I see what they were able to IF Pp. Loft 3 do in a bad cause and I might say under bad leaders. The idea gleaming and dancing before one’s eyes like 2 willofthewisp at last frames inelf into a plan. Why should we not form a secret society with but one object the further: ance of the British Empire and the bringing of the whole uncivilised world under British rule for the recovery of the United States for the make ing the Anglo-Saxon race but one Empire. What a dream, but yet itis probable, it is possible. ‘once heard it argued by a fellow in my own col lege, Iam sorry to own it by an that itwas a good thing for us that we have Inst the United States. There are some subjects on which, there can be no arguments, and to an English ‘man this s one of them, but even from an Amex fcan's point of view just picture what they have lost, look at their government. are not the frauds that yearly come before the public view a dis {grace to any county and especially their’s which is the finest in the world. Would they have occurred had they remained under English rule great as they have become how infinitely greater they would have been with the softening and ele- vating influences of English rule, think of those countless 1000's of Engiishmen that during the last 100 years would have crossed the Adlanic and setled and populated the United States. ‘Would they have not made without any preju- dice a finer county of it than the low class Irish and German emigrant? All this we have lost and ‘that country loses owing to whom? Owing to 0 cor three ignorant pigsheaded statesmen of the last century, at their door lies the blame. Do you. —~y ‘ever fee! mad do you ever feel murderous? I think I do with those men. I bring facts 10 prove my assertion. Does an English father when his sons wish to emigrate ever think of suggesting emigration to a county under another flag. never-it would seem a disgrace to suggest such a thing I chink thar we all think char poversy is better under our own flag than wealth under a foreign one. Puc your mind into another train of thought. Fancy Australia discovered and colonised under the French flag, what would it mean merely se eral millions of English unborn that at present exist we lear from the past and to form our farure. We leam from having los to cling to what we possess. We know the size of the world we know the toual exient. Africa is still lying ready for us it is our dury to take it It is our duty to seize every opporninity of acquiring more terr- tory and we should keep this one idea steadily ‘before our eyes that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race more of the best the most human, most honourable race the world To forward such a scheme’ what a splendid help a secret sociery would be a sociery not open- ly acknowledged but wino would work in secret for such an object. : 1 contend that there are at the present moment numbers ofthe ablest men in the world ‘who would devote their whole lives to it T often kink what a loss to the English nadon in some respects the abolition of the Rotien Borough Sys tem has been. What thought stikes a man enter- ing the House of Commons, the assembly that rales the whole world? I think icis che mediocriey fof the men but whats the cause, tis simply—an assembly of wealth of men whose lives have been spent in the accumulation of money and whose time has been too much engaged to be able to spare any for the scudy of past history. And yetin the hands of such men Fest our destinies. Do men like the great Pitt, and Burke and Sheridan not now exist I contend they do. There are men now living (who) live and de unused, unem- ployed. What ha been the main cause of the suc. ‘cess of the Romish Church? The fact that every ‘enthusiast, call it ifyou like every madman finds ‘employment in it Let us form the same kind of society 4 Church for the extension of the British Empire. A society which should have its mem- bers in every part of the Brish Empire working with one object and one idea we should have its members placed at our universides and our schools and should watch the English youth pass. ing through their hands jum one perhaps in very dhousand would have the mind and feel: ings for such an object, he should be tried in every way, he should be tested whether he is endurant, possessed of eloquence, disregardful 109 12 of the pets details of life, and if found o be Such, then elected and bound by oath to serve for the ext of his life in his Couner. He should then be nupported if without means by the Soc ey and sent to that part of the Empire where it sas felthe was needed. Take another case, [et us fancy a man who finds himself his own master with ample means on ataining his majority whether he puts the (question direcdy to himself or not. sil lke the Sid story of vir and vice in the Memorabilia 8 fight goes on in him as to what he should do Take ihe plunges into disipation thee is noth- ing too reckless he does not atempt but after 3 ‘ie his life palls on him. he meacals sys this is rot good enough. he changes his life, he reforms he travels, he thinks now Ihave found the chief good in life. che novelty wears of, and he cres, co change again. he goes into the far imerior after the wild game he thinks alas ve found that in life of which {cannot tire. again he is disappointed. He rewurns he thinks is there nothing I can doin life? Here 1 am with means. tth a good house, with everthing that is to be envied and yet 1 am not happy | am ured of life] to such a man the Society should go. sould tert. and should finally show him the treamest of te scheme and lst him as 3 men ber. “Take one more cate ofthe younger son with high thoughts. high sspiradons, endowed br nature widh al he facules ro make a great maa. nd wth the sole wishin life to serve his Count ‘bute lacks two things the means and the oppor unity: ever woubled by a sort of inward deiey urging him on to high and noble deeds, he is ‘compelled to pass his time in some occupation which furnishes him with mere existence, he lives unhappily and dies miserably. Such men as these the Society should search out and use for the furtherance of their object. In every Colonial legislature the Sociery stiould attempt to have its members prepared at all times to vote or speak and advocate the closer union of England and the colonies, to crush all disloyalty and every movement for the severance of our Empire. The Sociery should inspire and even own portions of the press for the press rules the mind of the people. The Society should always be searching for members who might by their position in the world by their energies or character forward the object but the ballot and text for admittance should be severe. padF Once make it common and it fails Take a 7 cman of great wealth who is bereft of his children perhaps having his mind soured by some bicer Gisappoinement who shuts hime up separate from his neighbours and makes up his mind to 2 miserable existence. To such men as these the socieny should go gradually disclose the great ness oftheir scheme and encreat him to throw in his life and property with them for this object. 1 think chat there are thousands now exising who ‘would eagerly rasp atthe opportuni. Such are the heads of my scheme. For fear that death might cut me off before the dime for auempuing is development [ leave all my worldly goods in ust to S. G. Shippard and the Secretary for the Colonies atthe dime of my death to ay to form such 2 Sociery with such an object, 1. What was Rhodes's life's goal, according to his testament? 2. What reasons does Rhodes give for supporting imperial expansion? 3. How does Rhodes propose to advance Anglo-Saxon world domination? 4. What role would the native peoples in new colonies play once Anglo- ‘Saxon rule was established? 3. The confession was written for posterity and was not published until after Rhodes's death. What sort of impression do you think Rhodes wanted to ‘create with this document? ain 1812 aon fom Punch pte dam of epi ble Ci hse or Bt oman of ee om Cae ee it 110CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX HARNESSING AFRICAN RESOURCES The principal role of colonies was to provide an economic rerurn tothe colonizing nation. Economic arrangements provided that colonies supply raw mazeials for the growing industrial economies in Europe. in renurn, they received the finished products of Europe's advancing industries. In the following 1897 letter, the ‘noted explorer Henry M. Stanley explains to the agent of a large Duach company the economic possiblities of the Congo River basin. As you read, tkink abour the benefits and Habilties that could come to the people of the Congo River basin from trade with Europe. thin the basin of the Congo there is a vast field lying uamoched by the Exropean merchant, and “about three-fourths unexplored by the geographical explores. Along the great river towards the Living. stone Falls there dwell numerous amiable tibes who ‘would gladly embrace the arrival of the European merchant, and hasten to him with their rich produce to exchange for Manchester cloths, Venetian beads, brass ‘wire, hardware and cutlery, and such other articles as generally find favor with the Afticans in your vicinity, ‘Their manners are gentle, and their insinets are entirely for trade. Hitherto, however, they have been unable to benefit themselves by commercial realtionship with the white man, such articles of European manufacture shaving arrived only after a tedious process and the lapse ‘of many months, pechaps years, among them, becanse beeween them and the coast exiends a broad belt of country inhabited by warlike wibes and turbulent natives, ‘who are not only accustomed to tax heavily all articles ‘bound for the interior, but to often lay violent hands on the almost defenseless waytarer. Having on a successful joumey, which verminated last year, studied the problem of uniting the amiable tribes above in close trading relationship with European merchants, and obtained the clue to the mode of puting {im practice this idea for the benefit of the many kind African fiends whom I' met, and such merchants 25 We ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES 1. According to Stanley. why has it hean difficult fnrha tominhte mihert > ‘camry on wade with the Europeans? ‘may be able to intrest in the basiness, Iam on the eve cof having my anticipatons realized, You must know that not many hours’ joumey from Boma tothe confines of the Babwendé teiitory the road is rendered unsafe for the more amiable people above by the turbulent and greedy petty chiefs who dwell along the route,, and whose number is many. These would be 2 great bstacle to me also if I did not avail myself of various roads which penetrate through the umpeopled wilderness, ‘my explorations through the counary having given me ‘such a general knowledge of the interior that I shall be able to pass these chiefs unmolested; and I have perfect confidence that if I Hive a road will be found both practicable, easy, and safe for the natives of the upper regions to visit the lower sation with their prodace. ‘This, 2s you must know, would materially assist os in planting the benefits of legiimate commerce among. them, and opening the great heart of Aftica, with its vvasous productions, to the enterprise of Europe. Tt can- not be done, however, without great tet, patience, long- suffering, and winning manners, even with the friendly peoples of the upper regions. The many times that have made blood-brotherbood with the chiefs will stand me in good sead now; and whatever virwe is required to realize my antcipations shal be thoroughly practiced. Ada ero ey M Se Ne Alb gery 7,1. 2., How does Stanley propose to open up trade with the friendly African tribes? 3., Discuss some possible benefits and Habits that could come to the Congo as a result of commerce with Europe. © Acséson-Wesley Publishing Company. oe. CHAPTER 25 READY NG world uistory: Traditions and New Directions: Echoes of the Past 20(documenz_«) DEATH IN THE CONGO ‘n 1903, the noted rsh pearioe Roger Casement was sent bythe British goverment Conral Aca 1 imenigare rumors of misraaonent and murder Fane Carine un ascover tas Belgian ube” merchant ik ‘Re Congo Basin tornred and llled heir worker As main as 5,000 000 (Africans were murdered beoween 1890 and 1910. Inthe folowing excerpt fram ‘Casement confidensial report, he itervews several Africans who fled the ‘Cango Bazin region. As you read think about why the Belgian merchans acted Inihis manner end how African life was dispted. shed, fit, why they Bad left their homes around Ete Leopold 2 and 19 come'e lve in a seange far ‘oft country among the Basende, where they owned Sothing, and were mle beaer than (eran)? Al, ‘when tls quaon was put, womea as well shouted (a, "On account of a ruber tt evied by te Gover ‘Bene pom around the Laks and slong the Bi. = Ted then how this eax was imposed. The chit of tem, who had boc hammering cu an ro neck collar (on my aval, spake fe He sid, “Tam Moye [ibelr chit], ‘These other two beside me are Weak and [Newabal all of ws Bangonge. From our counay each ‘lage tt tas owen loads of ret. These loads sree big: they were as bag a this Grodacing a empty Vester wich came nearly up 10 te handle of my vwlking-set. Tht was he Gest soe We had w Sl ‘ave, bras robber got sarer the wie min redone (te amoue. We fad tae these lads i four ines a Bon” ‘Question. “How mach pay di you ge fortis ‘Ansa (sn seo. "We gotso py! We ot ‘And then Moyo, who 1 asked, again said. “Our ‘vlog go elt md a inde sls. burst the people who (id the Weck, Oar Cots ea up he clots the worker: ‘ot nothing. ‘The pay was a fathom of elo and a Unle ‘Sl for every big basket fl, bus it was given to the (Chick never toe mex. 1 used wo me tn days 1 get the eweny taka of tubbar—we were alvaye St the {ores and then wien we wer int we were Lilled. We dt go fer and frtber ito the forest to fr the ‘ber vines o go witout food, end ow women ts (Sve wp calvaing the fields and gardens. Then ve Fare Wid bass—Oe some oes ‘hon we were working aay ine frest and oer ot Jomtor Ged fom expoeure and sarvaon and we bested ‘Be whe man lave us alone, ying we could get 90 ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES ‘We wed, slays ging fares inno he forest. and when ‘we fad and gar rabber as shor, te oles eae © er towas and tiled ot Many vere shot some iad ‘heir ers ct of oes were ed up with ropes arom ‘heir necks ee bodies and ken away. The whe mea meter at te poss dd not know ofthe Ed things the solders did wu but twas the whi men who sent the soldiers @ ponch es for at bging in enough iter” lee Newaball took up the tle fom Mayer "We ‘ithe whe men, We ae nor cough people now 1 0 what you want wz Our couney has not many ‘eople in it and we ae dying fa. We re Ele by te tore you mabe ws do, by te soppage of or pla {Sons andthe breaking ap of ar homes. The wile ‘man locked at ce ed si thee mest be many people me back am’ comme 'Q. “How long is soe you if your home, since the big wouble you spe 2 ‘AL "Ie land for thie full season, and itis now four seasons snes we fled and came into the Btende "Q."Hiom many days isi from here 1 yout own eoanyr "A. "Sts days of quick marching. We fled because we coald not eadare the things done wus. Our Chiefs twee hanged, and we were ile and saved ad worked 1, Hw did the dwindling nubber supply affect th ives of the Congan people? 2, Cite infomation from th report that shows exploitation af the Congo Basin ‘People by flow Afvcans ar well ar by the Belgians, 3. impels nations claimed tht thelr aons benefited their colonies. In view ‘of be above tepor. in what ways would you consider this an unwarranted eam? CHAPTER 25 READING Aan Netey Pung Comey. ne Echoes of the Past 2 112% ‘ [pocomenn 5 | COLONIAL AFRICA - 1914 pe = ee ey Pp "8 spanish wonoccaX baie ove oF ten 0 iwotat ATLANTIC OCEAN wae Yer 3) ‘ean oo BoweCHAPTER TWENTY-SIX TRAVELS IN WEST AFRICA Mary H. Kingsley was born in 1862 in England. Educated at home, she was ‘greatly influenced by the lesters writen by her father describing his hair-raising adventures on trips to such places as the South Seas, the Rocky Mounsains, ‘South Africa, and Japan. Upon her parents’ deaths in 1893, she found herself. ‘for the first time in her Ue, with the opportunity to travel. She chase wo g0 10 West Africa, 1 collect fishes and plants. ‘and to investigate the beliefs and customs of the inland Africen fulluming excerpt jrom her book ‘raves in West Attica describes her impression ofthe schools established by French missionaries in the French Congo. As you read, nate Kingsley's opinion about the practicality of the subjects taught in the mission schools, and how this subject matter reinforced the French policy of assimilation. [ie Recs govemment hs made ings Barer by ecreeing thatthe childrea should be taught French. =.» The general feeling of the missionaries is against ‘Bis, because of the great difcaty in teaching the native ‘his delice and highly complex language. English, the ‘Afticans pick up sooner than any foreign language. instruction. All the taining the boys get is religious and scholastic. ‘The girls fare somewhat beter, for they {get in addition instraction from the mission Ladies in sewing, washing, and ironing, and for the rest of it they have an uncommonly plessant and easy time, which they most bitterly regret as past when they go to their ‘husbands, for hasbands they each of them have. ~ Tels suange that no technical instruction is given by any government out bere ... the natives tmmed out by the schools ae atthe best only fit for clerks, and the rest of the world seems to have got a glut of clerks already, and Africa does not want clerks yet, it wants planters... ‘The Roman Catholic mission at Landana carries on 2 great work in giving agriculural instruction in improved methods: bat most of the other technical mission ‘stations cdnfine their attention to teaching carpentering, bricklaying, smith’s work, tailoring. book-binding and printing, rades which, save the two first named, Africa ‘snot yet in urgent need to be taught. ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES ‘The teaching even of sewing, washing, and ironing {sa litle previous. Good Mime. Jacot will weary herself for months to tach a girl how to make herself a dress, ‘and the girl will learn eagerly, and so keealy enjoy the ‘dress when it is made that it breaks one's heart when oné Jknows that this same gic, when her husband takes her to 1is village soon, in spite of the two dresses the mission ‘gave her, will be reduced to a bit of filthy rag, which ‘will serve her for dress, sheet, towel and dish cloth... ‘Then the washing and ironing are quite parlor accom- plishments when your husband does not wear a shir, and ‘household linen is non-existent... ‘The worn enemy to the existence of the African ‘tibe, is the one who comes to it and saysi—Now you ‘must civilize, and come to school, and leave off all those. aweful goings-on of yours, and seiile down quietly. The tsibe does so: ... and then the ladies and some of the young men are happy and content with the excitement (of European clothes and frequent Church services; but the older men and some of the bolder young men soon get bored with these things .. . , to them, irksome resaints, and they goin for too much rum, or mope thert- seives to death, ot resurn to theix native customs, obey Fey, Tree Wer Ae Londo: Macaan SS a9, 1L. (a) What were some of the subjects taught in the French mission schools? (b) How did these subjects reinforce the French policy of assimilation? 2. Do you think French education benefited African smderts? Why or why not? 3. In what way does Kingsley share the views of imperialists? CHAPTER 26 READING (© Ackson Wesley Publishing Company. Ine. hoes of ‘the Past 22The rush for resources by European countries influenced the configuration of resource-rich Africa dezply, and usually negatively. The colonial powers expriciously drew boundaries to suit their own needs while ignoring tribal and economic structures. One result was raging ‘conflict, generally bloody, among many of the renamed African states. Nevertheless, the Organization of African Unity accepted the inequitable colonial demarcations. Individual states, however, often do not accept suck historical legacies. Complicating the situation has been the hundreds of tribes throughout the continent: an Arican's allegiance to his or heer tribe in the pockets outlined here is often far stronger than allegiance to country. aa Sources Why ne Thee Merb + cline Ttints te hreren ater «