Secondary 2 History Imperialism Source Handout

As you are aware, there is a test coming up as soon as we get back from October Break. This test will cover
our work thus far on Imperialism and will involve you reading a selection of sources, then comparing &
contrasting the information provided. It will be very similar to the essay you just completed (five
paragraphs, two examples for either compare/contrast and one counter-example).
Dont forget about the key terms and ideas we have studied:
Imperialism
Colonialism
Nationalism
Reasons for imperial expansion (Power, Pride & Resources)
Methods of imperial expansion (Economic, Political & Social)
The British Empire and their interest in Singapore
The rise of the Japanese Empire at the start of the 20th Century
In order to better prepare you for the test, we have designed an exercise for you to complete over the
break. It is vital, that you understand the sources in this handout. Follow the steps below, and complete
this worksheet, bringing a printed copy with you to class.
Step 1: Read all the sources and highlight any terms you do not understand. Find definitions or
explanations and write them in the column next to the word.
Step 2: Complete the anagram APPARTS for each source.
Source A
Japan emulated the imperialistic behaviors
of the Western powers. From the
beginning of the Meiji Period in 1868,
Japan's leaders sought to make the country
an industrial and military power on par with
the Western imperialist powers. Overseas
colonies provided the imperialist powers
with prestige and status, so Japan's leaders
naturally celebrated when its empire
expanded to include Taiwan, Korea, and the
Kwantung Leased Territories

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?
Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you
understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?
Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

Essay: Explanations of Japans Imperialistic

Expansion, 1894-1910
The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey
Bill Gordon, Dec 2003
Significance: Why is it important?

Source B
Manchuria rich in natural resources and

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

sparsely populated had obvious advantages

for a densely populated and resource-poor
Japan. Amongst Manchuria's resources
coveted by Japan were iron, coking coal,
soybeans, salt and above all land, all
severely lacking within the Japanese empire
in 1930. This contrasted favourably with
Japan's mountainous terrain of which only
twenty percent was arable

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?
Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you
understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?
Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

Article: Japan's Economic Expansion into

Manchuria and China in World War Two
-James Graham, December 2004

The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey

Significance: Why is it important?

Source C

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

It goes without saying that when survival is

threatened, struggles erupt between
peoples, and unfortunate wars between
nations result.

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?

Gen. Hideki Tojo, 40th Prime Minster of

Japan, 1932

Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you

understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?

Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey

Significance: Why is it important?

Source D
In the mid-1800s European countries saw
themselves as actors on the world stage,
and each country wanted to play a starring
role. If Great Britain started a small colony
in Asia or Africa, nations [France, Belgium,

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?

Germany, Italy etc] had to start one too.

Once begun, the quest for colonies and
empire became a continuing enterprise that
seemed to have no limits.
The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s knew
no borders. Factories in Europe and the
USA consumed tons of raw materials and
churned out thousands of manufactured
goods. The owners and operators of these
factories searched constantly for new
sources of raw materials and new markets
for their products. They hoped to find both
in foreign lands. The colonies also provided
new markets for the finished products of
the Industrial Revolution.

Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you

understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?

Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey

Significance: Why is it important?

Adapted from a World History textbook.

Source E
The king of that country [Britain] has sent
me again into Bambarra [in central Africa]
and if Mansong [Tribal Chief] is inclined to
protect me, I will inform you of the real
object of my coming into your country. You
all know that the white people are a trading
people; and that all the articles of value,
which the Moors and the people of Jinnie
bring, are made by us. If you speak of a
good gun; who made it? The white people.
If you speak of a good pistol, or sword, or
piece of scarlet, or gun-powder; who made
them? The white people...Now the king of
the white people wishes to find out a way
by which we may bring out own
merchandise to you, and sell everything at a
much cheaper rate than you now have
them.
Mungo Park a Scottish explorer. Travels in
the interior districts of Africa. With an
account of a subsequent mission to that
country, 1805
Source F
India was the most important British

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?

Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you

understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?

Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey

Significance: Why is it important?

Author What is the Authors viewpoint?

possession and has often been called the

jewel in the imperial crown. This painting
shows a British military officer traveling by
elephant through northern India with his
cavalry and foot soldiers

Place and Time: Where and when were the documents

produced how does this affect the meaning?

Prior Knowledge: what do you know that will help you

understand the primary source do you recognize any
symbols?
Audience: For who was the source created for and how might
it affect its reliability?

Reason: How and why was it produced at the time?

The Main Idea: What is the source trying to convey

Significance: Why is it important?