Imperialism

Synopsis

Vladimir Lenin created this hugely significant Marxist text to explain fully the inevitable flaws and destructive power of Capitalism: that it would lead unavoidably to imperialism, monopolies and colonialism. He prophesied that those third world countries used merely as capitalist labour would have no choice but to join the Communist revolution in Russia.

GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Age of Empire

* Definition of imperialism and its key characteristics
* Historical overview of European colonialism from the 15th to the early 20th centuries

Real Example: The establishment of the British Empire, which spanned over 24 million square miles and included around 400 million people.

Chapter 2: The Causes of Imperialism

* Economic factors (e.g., search for raw materials, markets, and capital)
* Political factors (e.g., national prestige, security concerns, balance of power)
* Social factors (e.g., missionary movements, racism, belief in European superiority)
* Technological advances (e.g., steamships, telegraphs, firearms)

Real Example: France's colonization of Algeria in the 19th century was motivated by economic (e.g., desire for iron ore, wheat, and wine) and political (e.g., desire to expand French territory and influence) factors.

Chapter 3: The Forms of Imperialism

* Direct colonialism (e.g., British rule in India)
* Indirect colonialism (e.g., French protectorates in North Africa)
* Informal empire (e.g., American economic domination of Latin America)
* Neocolonialism (e.g., post-independence economic dependency of many African countries)

Real Example: The British East India Company, which initially exercised indirect control over India, eventually established direct rule in the mid-19th century.

Chapter 4: The Impact of Imperialism

* Economic impacts (e.g., exploitation of resources, unequal trade relations)
* Political impacts (e.g., introduction of foreign laws and systems, suppression of local resistance)
* Social impacts (e.g., disruption of traditional ways of life, forced labor, racial discrimination)
* Cultural impacts (e.g., spread of Western education, religion, and language)

Real Example: The exploitation of Congo's rubber and copper by Belgian imperialists led to the deaths of an estimated 10 million Congolese.

Chapter 5: Imperialism and Resistance

* Forms of resistance (e.g., armed rebellions, nonviolent protests, cultural preservation)
* Case studies of anti-imperialist movements in various regions (e.g., India's independence movement, Kenya's Mau Mau uprising)
* The role of nationalism and decolonization in the decline of imperialism

Real Example: Mohandas Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement played a crucial role in India's independence from British rule.