Study & Essay
Study Questions
Describe at least four general motives
for empire that inspired Europe to its great imperial successes
at the end of the nineteenth century.
Why do you think Great Britain was able
to survive throughout the nineteenth century without the eruption
of serious social upheavals and worker revolt?
Now that we have discussed the domestic
political developments in Great Britain, France, Germany, and Austria-Hungary,
can you identify a general similarity between the societal changes
that took place in those states?
Essay Topics
What geopolitical factors made the European balance
of power so unstable prior to the outbreak of World War I?
What challenges to the traditional liberal ideal--free
markets, low tariffs, no government interference in the economy
and society--was noticed in Great Britain, France, Germany, and Austria-Hungary
throughout this period?
What is the "White Man's burden" and how did European
justify what we would consider racist policies in their imperial ventures?
How did imperialism in Africa and Asia differ? In answering
this question, cite specific events in the course of imperialism
in Africa and Asia to prove your theory.
Trace an historical line between the Opium Wars and
the Boxer Rebellion. In doing so, connect the events to one another
in order to show the continuity of the historical story.
How did Ethiopia manage to remain one of the two independent states
in Africa when every major power seemed interested in making inroads
into that country?
Describe at least three effects of the European imperial
venture and try to conclude whether or not the extent of empire
was worth some of the negative results.
