AMSCO 6.3 Indigenous Responses to State Expansion Notes

📍Topic 6.3 Indigenous Responses to State Expansions

📖 AMSCO p.388 - p.397

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Abdullah

Things to Know

Balkans: Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

• Nationalist movements in the Balkans was inspired by the French Revolution.
• Struggle for Independence:
  • Serbia and Greece engaged in prolonged wars for their independence during the 19th century.
  • Ethnic tensions set the stage for future conflicts, notably World War I.

North America: Mixed Legacy of Resistance

• Proclamation of 1763:
  • British recognition of indigenous territorial rights after the French and Indian War.
  • However, British colonists disregarded these rights during westward expansion.
• Cherokee Nation Assimilation:
  • Cherokee assimilation efforts, adopting European methods, yet facing forced relocation.
  • The Cherokee Phoenix, a symbol of literacy, contrasts with the tragedy of the Trail of Tears.

Tupac Amaru II's Rebellion

• Identity and Education:

  • Tupac Amaru II, a descendant of the Inca ruler, led a rebellion in Peru against Spanish rule.
  • Despite receiving education from a Jesuit education, he maintained a strong connection to Inca heritage.

• Cultural Clash:

  • He was arrested and executed in 1781 after a revolt triggered by the cruelty of a colonial administrator. Mahdist Revolt: Religious Upheaval and Imperial Confrontation****

• Origins of Grievance:

  • Long-standing Sudanese resentment toward Egyptian rule laid the groundwork for the Mahdist Revolt.
  • British arrival in 1873 intensified local discontent and set the stage for religious mobilization.

• Leadership of Muhammad Ahmad:

  • In 1881, Muhammad Ahmad declared himself the Mahdi, sparking a movement to purify Islam and resist foreign influence.
  • Ahmad's charismatic leadership united diverse grievances into a powerful force challenging imperial dominance.

• Mahdist Control and British-Egyptian Counterattack:

  • By 1882, the Mahdist army gained control of Khartoum, prompting a joint British-Egyptian counterattack in 1883.
  • The Mahdists successfully overran the British-Egyptian forces in January 1885, marking a significant victory for the resistance.

• Post-Ahmad Era and British Return:

  • Ahmad's death in June 1885 led to internal conflicts, weakening the Mahdist movement.
  • British forces returned in 1896, ultimately defeating the remnants of the Mahdist Revolt, illustrating the complexities of religiously fueled resistance against imperial powers.

French Intervention in Mexico: Imperial Ambitions

• Maximilian's Reign:
  • French collaboration with Mexican conservatives, crowning Maximilian as emperor.
  • Maximilian was overthrown in 1867 due to Mexican resistance and French withdrawal.
• Legacy of Intervention:
  • Illuminates the intersection of European imperial ambitions and local resistance.

South Asian Complexities: From Sepoy Mutiny to Nationalism

• Sepoy Mutiny (1857):
  • Violent uprising fueled by religious tensions, and marked the emergence of Indian nationalism.
  • British response led to the end of the Mughal Empire and direct British rule (Raj).
• Indian National Congress:
  • Founded in 1885 by British-educated Indians, initially as a grievance forum.
  • Transitioned to advocating for self-rule, revealing the evolution of Indian aspirations.

Southeast Asia's Struggle Against Colonial Powers

• Vietnam's Resistance:
  • Early resistance against French colonialism, symbolized by leaders like Ham Nghi.
  • Efforts sustained by figures like Phan Dinh Phung, inspiring future generations.
• Philippine Revolution:
  • Emergence of nationalist ambitions among Filipinos after execution of José Rizal.
  • Navigating the complexities of the Philippine-American War involved factors such as the Treaty of Paris and the broader context of the Spanish-American War.
  • The struggle for independence encompassed intricate political, social, and diplomatic challenges, shaping the Philippine narrative during this period.
• Treaty of Paris (1898)
  • The conflict was deeply rooted in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, where the Treaty of Paris transferred the Philippines from Spanish to American control.
  • This transition set the stage for tensions as the Philippines sought independence instead of a change in colonial rulership.
• Philippine-American War
  • The Philippines, previously a Spanish colony, became a focal point in the larger imperial ambitions of the United States.
  • As the U.S. asserted control over the Philippines, it faced resistance from Filipino nationalists who had initially fought against Spanish rule.

Australia and New Zealand: Indigenous Resilience

• Aboriginal Struggle:
  • Indigenous to Australia for an estimate of 50,000 years, the Aboriginal people have the oldest continuous culture on Earth.
  • However, British colonization in 1788 led to conflict, with devastating consequences, including the loss of many Aboriginal lives.
• Maori Wars in New Zealand:
  • Broken promises and land disputes stemming from the violation of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi fueled conflicts between the Maori and British settlers in New Zealand.
  • The treaty's significance in shaping relationships and land rights underscores the complexities of diplomatic agreements.

African Resistance Narratives: From Sokoto to Yaa Asantewaa

• Sokoto Caliphate's Dual Role:
  • The Sokoto Caliphate, led by Usman dan Fodio, played a pivotal role in West Africa during the 18th century.
  • Dan Fodio led an Islamic purification movement, resisting British interference and engaging in a paradoxical involvement in the slave trade, challenging British efforts to curb it.
• Yaa Asantewaa War:
  • Ashanti resistance against British demands, led by the formidable Yaa Asantewaa.
  • The high cost of resistance marked a poignant chapter in African resistance.

Terms to Remember