Imperialism Review

1. What is imperialism?

2. Why did Europeans begin a new period of imperialism in the late 19th century?

3. What does the period of the "Old Imperialism" refer to?

4. What did Rudyard Kipling mean by the expression, "Take up the White Man's Burden"?

5. What is the difference between a colony and a "sphere of influence"?  Which of those terms
best fits the pattern that European control developed in India?  in China?

6. Was imperialism, in your opinion a blessing or a curse for the native peoples who experienced
imperialism?

7. Why did China become a victim of imperialism?

8. How did European nations win trading rights in China?

9. What was China's reaction to Western imperialism?

10. Why did the U.S. promote the "Open Door Policy"?

11. Why did the 3500 year old Chinese empire fall in 1911?

12. Why is Sun-yat-sen considered the "father of modern China"?

13. How did the Japanese avoid becoming a victim of imperialism in the mid-19th century?

14. Did the Japanese give up their culture when they "westernized"?  Explain.

15. What changes were brought about by the Meiji Restoration?

16. What did Japan become an imperialistic power at the turn of the 20th century?

17. How did the British gain control of India as easily as it did?

18. How did the British govern India?

19. Why was the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, a turning point in the relationship between the British
and the Indians?

20. Why do you think Japan is more advanced industrially today than either Africa, China or India?

21. Why did China escape becoming the colony of one nation - rather than experiencing as it did -
European "spheres of influence" in its territories?