Resistance_to_Imperialism

Resistance to Imperialism In the 19th to the 20th century Europe was under the influence of imperialism. Many European countries put pressure on African countries (along with others) so that they could control and regulate trade out of that area and to receive minerals. With the European pressure on the tribes, causing them to lose territory and power, some tribes eventually resisted. In Africa the Zulu tribe fought against the British and the Dutch and put up a strong resistance, in China the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists put up resistance against the British, and in Ethiopia there was resistance to Italy’s attempt to expand their protectorate over them. The Dutch rebellion against the British became known as the First Boer War. This rebellion occurred because the British wanted land in South Africa which was already inhabited by the Dutch who were known as the Boers. Britain tried to occupy the Dutch territory in Africa, known as the Transvaal, and the Dutch were successfully able to repel their attack. The Second Boer War was when the British eventually pushed the Dutch back into Zulu territory, the Zulu were a strong African tribe. The Zulu were able to fight off the Dutch and British for a while but were eventually thwarted by their lack of military advances. In China the British were attempting to take over ports so they would be able to trade more freely. Although the British were strong they were unprepared for the rebellion by the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists. This Society became known to the British as the Boxers. The Boxers wanted the British Imperialistic expansion to stop so they attacked unsuspecting British people throughout China. Though the Boxers were able to take out about 200 British people, they were stopped because they believed they could perform remarkable feats. The Boxers, believing they could stop bullets, were eventually destroyed by the British army in China. In Ethiopia the Italians were trying to expand their protectorate. The Italians had the Ethiopian leader, Menelik, sign the Uccialli Treaty. This treaty from the Italian interpretation meant that Italy was the protectorate of Ethiopia, but the Ethiopians did not agree. The Italians later attacked the Ethiopians, but with the Ethiopians massive army, although untrained in the current military, they were able to repel the Italians attack. The Italians, now embarrassed by their defeat, lost respect from other Europeans Imperialistic countries and were now pictured as weak. The Ethiopians with their victory claimed independence which lasted for another 40 years. Due to the pressure of European Imperialism other countries, mainly Africa, there was rebellion from the occupied country. In some aspects the rebellions were a success, like the Ethiopian resistance to the Italian protectorate, but for the majority the rebellions failed. These rebellions, such as the Boer Wars and the Boxer Rebellion, were able to cause some resistance, but eventually failed due to lack of military power and weapons, or the thought of being able to dodge bullets.