The Beginnings of Colonialism

The first half of the nineteenth century witnessedtrading concessions. The European powers moved
the growth of Europe's economic and militaryin with France leasing the base of Kwang-Chow,
superiority over the rest of the world. Although,Germany seized Kiao-Chow, Russia established a
since the late fifteenth century parts of the worldprotectorate in Manchuria and Britain's sphere of
had been controlled by the various Europeaninfluence was the Yangtze.
powers. But from 1870 there commenced a raceChina was saved the fate of Africa because the
for colonies on an unprecedented scale. ThereUSA insisted on an Open Door policy in 1899 that
were a number of reasons for this which includedstated that all states should have equal
economic forces, nationalist prestige, missionaryopportunity and that China's territorial integrity
and humanitarian impulses, Social Darwinism,should be respected. In addition, Chinese
military advantages, population pressure andnationalism was a powerful force, as the
exploration.anti-foreign Boxer Revolt proved. Other parts of
Africa was completely swallowed up by Britain,the Far East were gobbled up by the European
France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain andpowers with France seizing Annam and Cochin in
Portugal. The British government took directChina and Tonkin (Vietnam), Laos and Cambodia
control of India which had been controlled by theand labelling them all French Indo-China while Britain
East India Company since the seventeenthcontrolled Malaysia and Burma. The powers didn't
century. The beleaguered Manchu dynasty instop at the Far East but breached deeper into the
China had been defeated by Britain in the OpiumPacific with Britain annexing the Fiji Islands,
War (1839-1842). As a result certain Treaty portsGermany taking Northern New Guinea, Samo and
were opened to foreign trade and the Britishthe Marshall Islands while also purchasing the
secured a predominant position. China embarkedMarinas and Carolines from Spain. France took
on a short and disastrous campaign against JapanTahiti, New Caledonia and the South Solomon
in 1894-1895 which weakened the country andIslands while Britain sweeped up Sarawak, North
left it open to a series of demands for bases andBorneo and Tonga.