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Economic Imperialism from 1750 to 1900 CE

Driving Question: How did various European nations and United States interests gain economic advantages in Latin America and Asia during this period?

Industrialized nations during the long nineteenth century organized trade in ways that helped them dominate the global economy, often at the expense of smaller, less industrialized countries. This was particularly true in Asia and Latin America.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain how various economic factors contributed to the development of the global economy from 1750 to 1900.
  2. Use the historical thinking of contextualization to evaluate the Opium Wars.

Vocab Terms:

  • ambassador
  • economic imperialism
  • indirect control
  • isolationism
  • modernization
  • reparations
STEP 1

Opener: Economic Imperialism

STEP 2

Economic Imperialism in Latin America

Coming soon!

STEP 3

Contextualization: Opium Wars

To appreciate the details, you must first understand the big picture. This skill is called contextualization, and you will use it to understand the Opium Wars.

STEP 4

Opium Wars and Economic Imperialism

The Opium Wars were a heavyweight fight between the British Empire and Qing Dynasty China. The results changed the global economy forever.

STEP 5

Closer: Economic Imperialism

Newspaper headlines might be short, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to write. Reflect on what you’ve learned in this lesson by crafting a headline—from the perspective of a Chinese reporter writing about the conflict.

Extension Materials
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For more in-depth coverage of the impact of imperialism on China, check out the article below.
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Struggle and Transformation in China

Although China was not formally colonized, it still experienced significant outside interference in the shape of a more informal imperialism.