US Imperialism

This is a representation of US imperialism. It shows the American soldier, dressed as superman, lying dead while an Iraqi stands over him. The artist portrays the US as deceitful, that while we pretend to be helping in the Middle East (pretending we're superman) we're really just doing things for our own selfish reasons. I think it's a harsh representation of the United States. While I think the US has been imperialistic in the past, and while I don't know too much about the Iraq-US situation, I do believe our intentions in the Middle East have been mostly good-hearted.

Political Cartoons

<-- This political cartoon represents Britain as an octopus, with its arms on many different countries and regions, such as India, Canada, Egypt, and Boersland. The artist makes the face on John Bull represent Britain as greedy and selfish. I think it's an accurate portrayal of Britain this time, as they and other countries tried to expand their empires in all directions, extending explorers and authorities everywhere, much like octopus arms. I agree with the artist's representation, as I believe Britain and these countries were merely being self-centered and close-minded. I also thought it was very interesting to learn about the idea of John Bull and how cartoonists have been using him to portray Britain in a certain way for centuries.

--> This cartoon depicts the US and Britain carrying Asians and Africans, respectively, to civilization. However in doing so, they're using the "rocks" of barbarism, ignorance, oppression, brutality, and others as stepping stones to get there. The artist meant to portray the US and Britain imperialism as selfish and ruthless, and I totally agree! They used so many bad practices to achieve their goal of huge empires, and I find it appalling that it was socially acceptable at the time. Hardly anyone argued against these Machiavellian men and that seriously disturbs me.

Introduction

"Chapter 25: The West and the World" is about the effects of industrialization on Europe and the rest of the world, resulting in the new imperialism. It focuses on the impacts Europeans had on Asian, African, and Latin American countries during this time as European countries attempted to make vast empires. Imperialism shows its significance as the era that led Europe into World War I.

Unit Objective: To understand the causes, motives, justifications, and results of the era of new imperialism.

EQ: Compare and contrast the old imperialism and the new imperialism.

The old imperialism of the Age of Exploration stemmed from Europeans' desires of new knowledge of the outside world. The motives were gold, glory, and God. They hoped to prove themselves as significant beings who had helped to forge the way through the new land overseas in the Americas. They hoped to find new resources that could be used to better themselves financially and give their countries an edge in the trading market. Some also hoped to spread the teachings of Christ through the uncivilized peoples of the Americas. The new imperialism began from European countries' thirst for vast empires and economic success. Their main motive was money, and they used God and civilization as justifications for their heinous actions. Both took advantage of native peoples to ruthlessly further their own ends, and each kind of imperialism exhibited racist ideals to assert the white man as superior.