Notes

6.3, 6.4: Native Resistance to Imperialism 

 

State Expansion nearly defined the Modern period of history. Yet, it was nothing close to fun for the various indigenous populations that were unrightfully often exploited. In this section, we discuss many examples of native responses to imperialistic attempts.  Let’s begin with the Ottoman Empire:  

 

• As the Ottomans weakened throughout the 19th century (often referred to as the Sick Man of Europe), the idea of ethnic nationalism spread throughout the Empire. Many of the diverse ethnic groups throughout the Ottoman Empire believed that due to their cultural differences, they should be entitled to their own, separate nation. Through difficult battles, both Serbia and Greece earned independence from the Ottomans, further augmenting the Balkan want for their own distinct territory. These rising tensions throughout the Balkans set tensions that would eventually lead to World War I. 

 

On the other part of the globe, it is critical that we analyze indigenous resistance in the Americas. As part of this course, it is NOT necessary to familiarize yourself with every resistance movement. Instead, get a good grasp of one resistance movement with each region from this region onwards:

 

• The native Cherokee Nation assimilated into Westernized culture through their adoption of specific farming methods, government and language. Despite this, in 1830 the American government launched the Indian Removal Act to relocate natives to Oklahoma (as a response to the discovery of gold in the US). 

• In the northwestern US, the Ghost Dance was a religious resistance movement amongst the Native population. Here, religious officials believed that the deceased would return and kick out white colonizing forces to replenish indigenous land. This resulted in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre.

• Tupac Amaru II in Peru, a chief who claimed ancestry from the Inca, led a revolt against the Spanish which spread to Bolivia and Argentina. 

 

In India, the British would grease rifle cartridges with pig and cow grease which was forbidden in Hinduism and Islam. This offended Indian sepoys (infantry soldiers), who led a rebellion. The British Raj eventually claimed control over India overseas, which led to the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

 

 In South Africa, the Xhosa population killed over 400,000 of their own cattle in the belief that it would remove British settlers. This led to mass famine and fatalities. 

 

Throughout the Ashanti Empire in present-day Ghana, Yaa Asantewaa was known as the Queen Mother of Ejisu. The Golden Stool was coined to be a sacred stool that was considered to be the authority of the nation. The British demanded to sit on the stool, which was incredibly disrespectful to the Ashanti. In response to this act of dishonor, Yaa Asantewaa presented a memorable speech announcing war against the British. She famously shamed feared men into participating in the struggle, citing that if the men don’t fight, the women will.

 

Another key idea in these sections are the impact of imperialistic endeavors on local societies:

 

In terms of economics:

• Previously, crops and meat were obtained for personal consumption. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, colonizing forces facilitated a shift away from subsistence farming to cash crops. 

• Globally, meat grew in demand. Ranches in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay regularly exported beef to Europe. 

• To keep up with agricultural demand, guano (bat and seabird feces) grew to be a popular fertilizer and export from South American nations to Europe and the US. 

• Great Britain had previously relied on the US for cotton, yet the American Civil War greatly disrupted exports. As a result, India and Egypt ramped up their cotton production to meet British needs. 

• West African palm oil was heavily exploited to lubricate European machinery, and ivory from the same region was in demand across the globe.

• Silver from South America was also deemed lucrative. 

 

Globally:

• Monocultures rose, as nations were now solely focusing on growing a singular crop for export.

• Many forests were cleared for agricultural purposes, damaging the environment.

• Various racist policies, such as those of Cecil Rhodes’, created a basis for later apartheid in South Africa.