Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the second wave of imperialism (1750-1900), contrasting it with the earlier period. While previous motivations like God, gold, and glory remained, new ideologies emerged, partly due to the Industrial Revolution. The video promises to cover four main ideologies.
Nationalism, defined as a shared sense of commonality based on language, religion, and customs, with a desire for self-rule, became a powerful motivator. Unlike the previous era where loyalties were to monarchs, people increasingly identified with their nations. This led to the unification of states like Italy and Germany, and fueled imperial rivalries as nations sought to expand their empires and status.
Scientific racism emerged as a new justification for imperialism. This ideology proposed that humans could be hierarchically ranked based on distinct biological races, with white Europeans at the top. This differed from prior religious justifications by attempting to use 'science' to prove racial superiority. Practices like phrenology (the study of skull size and shape) were used to 'justify' the subjugation of non-white 'child races'.
Social Darwinism adapted Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection ('survival of the fittest') to human societies. Proponents argued that Western industrial societies' success proved their inherent superiority and fitness. This ideology suggested that 'strong' nations were justified in dominating 'weak' nations, mirroring the perceived natural order.
The 'civilizing mission' referred to the belief among Western societies that they had a duty to bring their civilization to 'lower' societies. This involved converting people to Christianity, imposing Western governmental models, and establishing Western-style education systems. These efforts aimed to assimilate colonized populations and suppress indigenous languages and cultures, further solidifying imperial control.