Sample Mid-Term Essay Questions: Sec. C ......
Generally, by mid-semester, we will have covered
that section of the syllabus (Section C)
under the title "The Western Hegemony," which deals
with the emerging global economy and the great powers'
imperialist expansion
overseas. You will be given a choice of questions; certainly an
essay on some defined
topic and probably some very brief questions that will range more
broadly over the content
of that section. Listed below are a number of questions I have
given over the years which
you may use as a guide in obtaining a general knowledge of what
you'll likely be asked to
write about. While your teacher desires that you know as much as
possible, it is more realistic to
assume, however, that you will certainly know at least one topic
very well so that you may
write a comprehensive and effective essay about it. Your general
familiarity with the assigned
reading and, more especially, the lectures should suffice for any
briefer information
requested of you in other questions on the exam. The following is
a 'guide' only and you
should not assume that the questions will appear exactly in the
form given below.
Your completed essay should be a comprehensive and well argued
narrative encompassing factual knowledge and analysis as well as
covering necessary background, ideas and consequences as
relevant. Unsatisfactory essays are betrayed by their brevity and
poor organization, so deal with all aspects of the question you
select in a clear and orderly manner. As preparation, you may also
wish to note the recommendations in the relevant Web document. Be sure to stick to the
question asked, thus avoiding unnecessary discussion of unrelated
topics. Ask questions if you are unsure about anything. And need I
state that you must present your work properly, writing in clear,
connected sentences organized into paragraphs of moderate length
with appropriate left-hand margins on each page.
Imperialism: General
1. Many writers have asserted that imperialism arose from
the commercial,
industrial, financial, scientific, strategic, journalistic,
intellectual, religious and
humanitarian impulses of Europe compounded together. For purposes
of an answer,
assume this thesis to be correct and elaborate on several of these
factors in attempting to
explain the imperialist activity of the great powers in the late
19th c. Try to be both general and
specific (i.e., cite examples) in your answer.
2. Assess the nature of the so-called New Imperialism of
the late 19th c. What
distinguished this phenomenon from earlier forms of colonialism?
In addition, cite some of the more important general reasons often
given as motives behind this imperialism and comment on
the more specific explanations offered by such critics as J.A.
Hobson and V.I.Lenin. Also,
give examples of countries appearing to pursue imperialist
conquest based on
considerations of (a) strategy, (b) economic gain, and (c)
militarist or political
adventurism.
The Humiliation of China
Answer the following in relation to China's
confrontation with the West in
the 19th c.:
- show the evolving nature of British trade (imports
and exports) with China under the so-called Canton system as well
as China's attitude to foreigners in the century or so prior to
the 1830s. Show why illegal opium became a vital component of
this trade towards the end of the period.
- explain the reasons behind the decision of the
imperial court at Peking to take
drastic measures against the trade of the private merchants in
1836.
- describe the activities of Commissioner Lin at
Canton in 1839 and the events he set in train by his actions, up
through the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. Also, outline the several
concessions wrung from China in
the subsequent Treaty of Tientsin (1858).
- cite the several components of the subsequent
Chinese program of "self-strengthening" and give an assessment of
its effectiveness throughout the rest of the century
The Opening-up of Japan
Answer the following in relation to Japan's
confrontation with the West in the 19th c.:
- describe the administrative system (how power was
exercised) and the social structure (class and group
relationships) that characterized Tokugawa Japan.
- explain the nature of Western trade and contacts
with foreigners before1853.
- give the background to and assess the results of
both the Perry and Harris missions in the 1850s, including a
brief overview of the circumstances and events that led to the downfall of
the shogunate.
- describe the massive transformation effected during
the
Meiji Restoration in the matter of reforms centered on politics,
administration, military affairs, the economy and Japanese society
in general.
- show how Japan became recognized as, first, an Asian
power and, subsequently, advanced to international great power
status in 1905.
The Scramble for Africa
The New Imperialism of the late 19th c. was clearly
related to the industrialization of Europe and the advantages
supposed to be derived from aggressive expansion overseas,
especially in the hitherto virtually unknown African interior.
Western contacts with the continent, however, predated this latter
trend. Write an essay that answers the following in relation to
the nineteenth-century experience of Africa at the hands of the
West.
- describe the nature of European contacts,
both private and official, during the first half of the
century.
- describe and assess the various motivating factors
(political, economic, ideological, etc.) that lay behind
the aggressive intrusions of Western powers during the second
half of the century, i.e., the period of the so-called New
Imperialism. Cite, also, those factors that facilitated
their success.
- explain the significance of the Berlin Conference
(1884) in relation to the New Imperialism.
- choose one of the following as a case study
to explore the imperialist phenomenon, giving background,
events and consequences:
- Britain in Egypt
- Leopold in the Congo
- The Germans in S.W. Africa
- discuss some of the pros and cons of imperialist
rule in Africa.
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