Rebecca says 2/4...

Today in class we answered questions based on documents dealing with the different viewpoints on Imperialism. We then had to formulate a thesis, group the documents, and state any additional documentation, as if we were to write an actual essay. Document 1, an excerpt from “Does Colonization Pay” describes a positive outlook on Imperialism, mentioning the benefits that the colonies received from those nations that controlled them. They were given food, manufactured products, and access to schools and newspapers. Overall the colonies benefitted from advantages that came along with being a civilized society; benefits that they were incapable of obtaining on their own. Document 2, a picture of a white man being pulled in a chariot by an Asian and African worker depicted how native people were being abused by those who conquered their land.. This poor treatment of natives showed a negative outlook on Imperialism. Document 3, expressing a positive view, identifies exporters, bankers, military leaders, and missionaries as empire builders. Exporters promoted colonial markets, while bankers gave loans which supported the construction of railways and steamship lines between colonies and those nations controlling them. Military leaders believed in extending the white man’s rule over inferior races, while missionaries traveled to different places attempting to unite people under one religion.. Document 4, and African proverb, displays the Africans’ feelings about the missionaries. It expresses negative thoughts of how the whites took their land in return for their religion, an exchange in which they felt cheated. Document 5, a poem from the perspective of an African, describes how the whites abused their power as they killed and overworked the natives. The author clearly brings out the negative effects of imperialism through first hand examples of how his family had suffered. Document 6, thoughts from the perspective of a West African nationalist, responded harshly to years of colonialism. He stated that it prevented Africans from conducting their own affairs, it merged their economy with that of the ruling country, and on the whole, their civilization was demeaned. The final document, a German cartoon entitled “This is How the English Colonize” also portrays a negative attitude towards imperialism. It shows how the labor performed by the natives of colonized lands only benefited the nation that conquered them. Their work was being generated into money that went directly to the missionaries and other people who supported the takeover of their land.

The back page, although filled out differently for each person, should overall be about the different view points on imperialism, as mentioned in the historical context and task. Remember that Assignment 4 is due tomorrow, as well as emailed definitions/identifications of Cavour, Mazzini, Garabaldi, and Bismarck. Next up to blog is Mitchell!