World History

 

Age of Exploration (Sea Route Discovery) 

John Cabot

1497- John Cabot(Italian traveller) was the first European known to have landed in present day Canada. Although he was Italian, but his voyage was financed by Britain(King Henry VII) and the discovery benefited England. 

Hunt for Spices(Sea Route to India) 

Christopher Columbus

August 1492- Christopher Columbus led a fleet of 3 ships from Castile, Spain to find sea route for India

12 October 1492- Christopher Columbus landed in Bahamas(caribbean island). Later established a colony at Haiti and returned to spain in 1493

Vasco da Gama

8 July 1497- Vasco da Gama led a fleet of 4 ships + 170 Crews from Lisbon, Portugal(1st Voyage of Vasco de Gama) 

20 May 1498- Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut via Cape of  Good Hope, Mombasa and Malindi(Now Part of Kenya) and later visited Goa. 

1502- 2nd Voyage of Vasco de Gama, fight with Zamorin ruler(Dominance over sea route) 

Age of Colonization

America

1492- Discovery and colonization of Haiti island by Columbus(Spain) 

1494- Treaty of Tordesillas between Spain and Portugal(After discovery of American continent by Spainish traveller Columbus) 

As per the treaty the earth was divided into two part longitudinally and the longitude was passing through Greenland in North and Brazil in South. 

Eastern part(Non Christian land)- Portugal

Western part- Spain

The treaty granted complete American continent to Spain except the eastern tip of South America(Present day Brazil region). And in early 1500s, Portugal established it's colony in Brazil region. 

Spainish traveller used "Gold, glory and God" phrase to colonize the American continent. Spain exploited large silver reserve of Mexico and Peru

1530s- British, France and other European countries start showing intrest in colonization of America by colonizing Northeast America. 

France started colonization of America in the middle of 16th century, while British started the colonization of America from early 17th century. 

1743- Russia started the colonization of Alaska for fur trade. 

Image: Colonized Map of America(1740s) 

1754- Small scale fight between France and Britain in American continent for territorial supremacy. 

1756 to 1763- The small fight of France and Britain in 1754, took the big shape and seven years war started between France and England for territorial supremacy in American continent. Although the war was for territorial gain in America, it was fought in America, Europe as well as in Asia. 

(France + Spain) vs (Britain + Prussia + Portugal) 

The war result was in favor of Britain. 

1763- Treaty of Paris(France lost its American territory and British gained a lot) 

1775 to 1783- American Revolution

1783- Treaty of Paris(End of American Revolution, US got independence and a boundary was drawn between US and British controlled Canada) 

Great Britain cedes control of all territories east of the Mississippi River and south of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to the United States

The decolonization of American continent started with the declaration of independence by America in 1776.

French Revolution(1789-1799) and subsequent conditions in Europe greatly affected the European colonies in American continent. 

Haiti

During the French Revolution when France was busy in itself, the French people of Haiti tried to declare independence of Haiti. Slaves in the Haiti region were afraid of their cruel masters and independence of Haiti means more cruelty on slaves. So outnumbered slaves start fighting with their masters. At that time, French planters sought help from Britain and Spain to get independence from France and for control over slaves. British and Spanish found this as a golden opportunity, but France to get the support of slaves announced freedom for slaves in its colonies. 

Slaves(Haiti) + France vs French planters + Britain + Spain

Finally France government manged to control it's colony in Haiti. But when Napoleon announced the reintroduction of slavery in Haiti in the year 1802. Slaves revolted against France. 

1804- Haiti got independence from France.

When Napoleon attacked Spain and Portugal in Europe, the demand for independence get voiced in American continent against imperial rule of Spain and Portugal. 

1822- Brazil got independence from Portugal

1867- Britain granted dominion status to Canada. Unlike other colonies in American continent, Canada's transition from colonial rule to independence occurred gradually and peaceful.

Cuba

1868 to 1878- Ten Years war/Great War/War of 68

Started by Spainish planters against oppressive policy of Spainish Government. 

10 October manifesto was released by Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. A request to all races to join the fight of independence and the aim of the movement. Some US citizens also fought in 10 years war for independence of Cuba. 

1879 to 1880- Little War

After little war, Spain promised to bring reform in Cuba. But the reforms were very futile and finally led to War of Independence

1895 to 1898- War of Independence

The last three months of war of Independence changed into America-Spain conflict. 

The exiled group of Cuba got settled in America tried to raise the voice of independence from America via newspapers. This resulted in -ve sentiments of America against Spain. But at the same time Cuban leaders were afraid of annexation of Cuba by American. 

America became part of this war when an American ship got exploded near Cuba. 

In America-Spain conflict(1898), America took the control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands from Spain. And these territory became colonies of America. 

After losing the colonies in American continent, European countries tried to colinized Asia and Europe. 

Wave of colonization

1st wave- Colonization of American continent

2nd wave- Colonization of Asian continent

3rd wave- Colonization of African continent

Asia

The colonization of Asia started with the colonization of India. 

India

1505- Fort Manuel was established by Francisco de Almeida(1st Portuguese Viceroy) at Cochin

1510- Goa was captured by Portuguese from Bijapur Sultanat

1605- Dutch came to India

1608- EICo. came to Surat, India. Established their factory at Masulipatnam(1611) and at Surat(1615) 

1668- First French factory at Surat, India

Other Asian Countries

1511- Alfonso de Albuquerque(Portuguese Governor) set sail from Goa to Malacca and established a colony at Malacca

1600s- Dutch started establishing it's colony in Java, Sumatra and Bali

And ruled the territories of Indonesia, some portion of Malaysia and nearby region till 1942. In 1942 the territory was attacked by Japan and after WW2 most territory declared independence. 

1885- After three Anglo-Burmese Wars Burma was completely annexed by EICo. in 1885

1862 to 1863- French occupation of Cambodia

1885- Annexation of Vietnam by French

1899- Annexation of Laos by French

Image Source: Wikipedia

Decolonization of Asia started with the end of WW 2. In World War 2 most of the Asian colony was lost to Japan. And when Japan surrendered in WW 2, the voice of independence in these countries were very high. Finally Asian countries got independence from colonial power one by one

1947- India got independence from Britain

1948- Burma and Sri Lanka got independence from Britain

1949- Indonesia got independence from Dutch(Netherlands) 

1957- Malaysia got independence from Britain

1963- Singapore joined Malaysia and ended the British rule in Singapore. In 1965 Singapore separated from Malaysia to form an independent nation. 

Africa

In medieval times, the Arab rulers start controlling the costal region of African continent for trade purpose. 

The colonization of Africa by European countries started by colonizing of remote islands mainly by two countries Portugal and Spain. 

Later with the discovery of sea route to India, the colonization of the costal region in Africa started by European countries for Intermediary check post. Prior to 1880 only 10% of African continent was colonized(mainly coastal regions) 

So colonization of Asia and Africa is directly related to colonization of India. 

With the rise of Industrial Revolution in European countries, the need for raw materials(Ivory, gold, timber, and rubber) and labourers/slave rise rapidly. To meet the socio-economic and political need of Industrialized European countries, European countries started colonization of interior parts of Africa. 

With the start of rat race among European powers for African continent, there was erosion of trust among European powers. To avoid any hostility Otto von Bismarck(first chancellor of Germany) organized Berlin Conference. 

1884 to 1885- Berlin Conference/Congo Conference/West Africa Conference

 The conference is described as Scramble for Africa and Neo Imperialism. 

This conference stabilised harmony among European powers for control of Africa except one Incident Fashoda Incident of 1898(Britain vs France) 

Image Source: Wikipedia

1898- Fashoda Incident(Britain vs France)

North-South connection of Africa- British diamond merchant and politician Cecil Rhodes announced a plan to connect Cairo(Egypt) with Cape Town via rail line and telegraph in 1892.

East-West connection of Africa- French tried to connect their Eastern and Western African colony(Darkar-Djibouti) 

At that time, Fashoda(South Sudan) was a well established town and marketplace for slave trading. The French tried to connect their Eastern and Western African colony via Fashoda. The location of Fashoda also provides control over upper nile river. 

A French expedition tried to capture the Fashoda region. This was a threat to North South connection of British. And large British Army with native African reached at the town of Fashoda and start of standoff between British and French. 

The leaders of respective army decided to not to fight war and wait for the decision of respective government. 

With the support of other European powers British put a heavy pressure on France. Finally France decided to withdraw from Fashoda. 

Fashoda incident was the last serious colonial fight between Britain and France. And the issue was resolved by strong diplomacy. This diplomacy finally led to the Entente Cordiale of 1904(Frendship treaty between France and Britain).

German Colony in Africa

In Tanzania region(German colony), Germany faced two revolts. 

1. Abushiri revolt of 1888

Revolt by Arab and local tribes leaded by Abushiri(Arabi) 

2. Maji Maji Rebellion of 1905

Revolt by Arab Muslims and local tribes against forced cultivation of Cotton. 

After the defeat in WW 2, the German colonies of Africa was annexed by other European nations. 

Image Source: Wikipedia

African countries that were not Colonized by European powers- Ethiopia and Liberia

The decolonization of Africa started mainly after WW 2 in cold War era. 

31 May 1910- South Africa became first African country to get decolonized from Britain. (1931- Sovereign, 1961- Republic) 

Northeast Africa region

1922- Egypt got independence from Britain

1951- Libiya(Next to Egypt) got independence from Britain

1956- Sudan(Next to Egypt) got independence from Britain

West Africa region

1956- Morocco got independence from France

1956- Tunisia got independence from France

1957- Ghana got independence from Britain

1958- Guinea got independence from France

1960- Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Chad, CAR, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Mauritania and Mali got independence from France

(Madagascar an eastern island also got independence from France in 1960) 

1960- Democratic Republic of Congo got independence from Belgium

1960- Nigeria got independence from Britain

1961- Sierra Leone got independence from Britain

1962- Algeria got independence from France

East Coast Africa region

1961- Tanzania got independence from Britain

1962- Burundi, Rwanda got independence from Belgium

1962 to 1964- Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia got independence from Britain

Neo-Colonism- Re-establishment of Imperial relationship with former colony through indirect mean(capital imperialism, cultural imperialism). Leading to the relationship of dependence of former colony over original colonizer. 

The term Neo-colonism was coined by Kwame Nkrumah(President of Ghana) in 1960s.

As per him Neocolonialism is last stage of colonism.