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Common sense is universal. Main features of imperialism New imperialism of the late 19th century

Imperialism–policy of creating large-scale colonial and economic empires, expansionism, the state’s struggle for world hegemony. England 1890s

Lenin(“Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism”) - imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism. The main point in the transition from free competition capitalism to capitalist imperialism was monopolization.

5 main signs of imperialism:

    concentration of production and capital, which has reached such a high stage of development that it has created monopolies that play a decisive role in economic life

    merging banking capital with industrial capital, and creating on the basis of this “ financial capital”,“financial oligarchy”

    export of capital, in contrast to the export of goods, becomes particularly important;

    international monopoly capitalist unions are formed, dividing the world;

    The territorial division of the land by the largest capitalist powers has been completed.

Cartels agree on the terms of sale, payment terms, etc. They divide the sales areas among themselves. They determine the quantity of products produced. They set the prices. They distribute profits among individual enterprises, etc. The number of cartels in Germany was estimated at approximately 250 in 1896 and 385 in 1905, with the participation of about 12,000 establishments. But everyone recognizes that these figures are an understatement. From the above data of German industrial statistics for 1907, it is clear that even the 12,000 largest enterprises concentrate probably more than half of the total amount of steam and electric power.

Trusts in the United States (Standard Oil Company), (United States Steel Corporation) In the United States of North America, the number of trusts was determined in 1900 - 185; in 1907 - 250. American statistics divide all industrial enterprises into those owned by individuals, firms and corporations. The latter owned in 1904 - 23.6%, in 1909 - 25.9%, i.e. over a quarter of the total number of enterprises. The workers in these establishments were 70.6% in 1904 and 75.6%, three-quarters of the total, in 1909; production sizes were 10.9 and 16.3 billion dollars, i.e. 73.7% and 79.0% of the total.

Seven to eight tenths of the total production of a given industry is often concentrated in the hands of cartels and trusts. The Rhine-Westphalian Coal Syndicate, when founded in 1893, concentrated 86.7% of all coal production in the region, and in 1910 already 95.4%. The monopoly thus created provides gigantic incomes and leads to the formation of technical and production units of immense size. The largest enterprise in the German mining industry, Gelsenkirchen Mining Society (Gelsenkirchener Bergwerksgesellschaft)

2. The aggravation of contradictions between Western powers and the formation of hotbeds of conflict in Europe and the world at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

First World War 1914-1918 was the result of aggravation of contradictions between the largest industrial powers, the underlying precondition of which was the uneven economic development of different countries. The contradictions between the great powers reached extreme severity during the period of monopoly capitalism. The main ones were the Anglo-German contradictions. Overtaking England in terms of economic development and pushing it aside. In the global market, Germany led a wide expansion in the Near and Middle East and Africa. Striving for world domination, Germany openly sought the redistribution of colonies in its favor.

England made every effort to paralyze German expansion and maintain its colonial possessions, spheres of influence, markets for goods and dominance of the seas.

England's fear of Germany lay at the heart of the controversy:

1) establishment of commodity-export relations in Europe

    German capital exports by European countries

    German banks open branches in London

    The dominance of cheap German goods on the market

2) Colonies and division of spheres of influence in the world: England - 50%, Germany - 35%

3)Navy:

  1. Germany

4) construction of the Baghdad railway (Berlin-Baghdad through the Balkans) - a direct threat to British India

5) in the Anglo-Boer War, Germany supported the Boers

Result: the balance of power between England and the continent was so disrupted that the conflict could not be resolved diplomatically

In addition, military orders were extremely profitable, and the militarization of the economies of England and Germany was taking place. Hence their interest in a big war

England rejects the principle of “brilliant isolation” and begins to actively influence the events unfolding in continental Europe through Masonic structures. They have a consolidating role: they conduct an active foreign policy, develop a plan for the political reorganization of the world

1904 Mackinder "The Geographical Axis of History"-the basis of English geopolitics: domination in Eurasia will open the way to world domination. To do this, it is necessary to push Russia aside as much as possible and prevent its alliance with Germany. To do this, create a buffer territory: Poland, Austria, Hungary, the Balkans must come under the control of England

England's task in these conditions is to concentrate Russia's attention on the Balkans. England understood that they would never win the war with Germany one on one, so they involved the whole world, Russia in the first place, in it

Franco-German contradictions 1870 -71 – Franco-Prussian War (free competition capitalism - monopoly capitalism). Revanchist circles in France demanded the return of Alsace and Lorraine, seized by Germany in 1871, and the Left Bank of the Rhine. Germany and France also clashed in Africa over Germany's claims to French colonies and markets. Contradictions between the main industrial powers led to the formation of two military blocs.

German-American export tensions: the same strong industry as in Germany; supported Spain in the fight for Latin America and China; Germany was the only one that did not recognize the “Monroe Doctrine”

1873 – “alliance of three emperors” Russia-Austria-Germany

1882.05.20 Creation of the “Triple Alliance” consisting of Germany, Austria - Hungary, Italy. (Turkey and Bulgaria by 1914) 1879 - Germany and Austria-Hungary secret treaty against Russia

1887.02.12Eastern Triple Alliance: Austria-Hungary, Italy and Great Britain. Maintaining the status quo in the Eastern Mediterranean.

1891-1893 - Franco-Russian alliance +1904 English-French. Entente 1902 - Anglo-Japanese alliance

1887.06.06 - Treaty between Russia and Germany on neutrality. Reinsurance agreement

1895 - Anglo - Russian agreement on the delimitation of spheres of influence in the Pamirs.

1896.05.28 - Agreement between Russia and Japan on the Korean issue.

1898.04.13 - Russian-Japanese agreement on the division of spheres of influence in Korea.

1898 - The Spanish-American War ended with the Peace Treaty in Paris. Spain lost its colonial possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines). The Spaniards were supported by the Germans -> American-German confrontation

1899-1904 – Anglo-Boer War, where the Germans supported the Boers

1904–05 - Russo-Japanese War

1906 – agreement on military cooperation between France and Great Britain

1907 – Anglo-Russian agreement

crises of 1905...1911

1907-1911 – Iranian revolution

1909 – Ottoman Revolution

1909 – Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary.

5 signs:

1) the concentration of production and capital, which has reached such a high level

stage of development, that it created monopolies that play a decisive role in economic life;

2) the merger of banking capital with industrial capital and the creation, on the basis of this “financial capital,” of a financial oligarchy;

3) the export of capital, in contrast to the export of goods, becomes particularly important;

4) international monopoly capitalist unions are formed, dividing the world;

5) the territorial division of the land by the largest capitalist powers has been completed. Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development when the dominance of monopolies and finance capital has emerged, the export of capital has acquired outstanding importance, the division of the world by international trusts has begun, and the division of the entire territory of the earth by the largest capitalist countries has ended.

1) example, in America almost half of the total production of all enterprises in the country is in the hands of one hundredth of the total number of enterprises -> that concentration, at a certain stage of its development, itself leads, one might say, close to a monopoly. For it is easy for several dozen giant enterprises to come to an agreement with each other, and on the other hand, the difficulty of competition, the tendency towards monopoly, is generated precisely by the large size of enterprises.

2) Among the few banks, which, due to the process of concentration, remain at the head of the entire capitalist economy, the desire for a monopolistic agreement, for a trust of banks, is naturally increasingly emerging and intensifying. In America, not nine, but two largest banks, billionaires Rockefeller and Morgan, dominate a capital of 11 billion marks

3) For old capitalism, with the complete dominance of free competition, the export of goods was typical. For modern capitalism, with the dominance of monopolies, the export of capital has become typical

4) Monopoly unions of capitalists, cartels, syndicates, trusts, divide among themselves, first of all, the domestic market, seizing the production of a given country into their more or less complete possession. But the internal market, under capitalism, is inevitably connected with the external one. Capitalism long ago created a global market. And as the export of capital grew and the foreign and colonial connections and “spheres of influence” of the largest monopoly unions expanded in every possible way, things “naturally” approached a worldwide agreement between them, the formation of international cartels. This is a new stage in the worldwide concentration of capital and production, incomparably higher than the previous ones. Let's see how this super-monopoly grows.



5) We are, therefore, experiencing a unique era of world colonial policy, which is closely connected with the “newest stage in the development of capitalism,” with finance capital. It is therefore necessary to dwell in more detail, first of all, on the actual data, in order to clarify as accurately as possible both the difference between this era and previous ones, and the state of affairs at the present time. First of all, two factual questions arise here: is there an intensification of colonial policy, an intensification of the struggle for colonies precisely in the era of financial capital, and how exactly the world is divided in this regard at the present time.

Imperialist wars

One of the signs of imperialism is the territorial redistribution of land by major powers. Naturally, this process is bloody & accompanied

“A characteristic feature of this 1870-1900 is the division of Africa and Polynesia” (Supan). Since in Asia and America there is unoccupied land, i.e. not belonging to any state, no, then Supan’s conclusion has to be expanded and said that a characteristic feature of the period under consideration is the final division of the land, final not in the sense that redistribution was not possible - on the contrary, redistributions are possible and inevitable - but in the sense that the colonial policy of capitalist countries has ended the seizure of unoccupied lands on our planet. For the first time, the world turned out to be already divided, so that further only redistributions lie ahead, i.e. transition from one “owner” to another, and not from ownerlessness to “owner”.

For England, the period of enormous intensification of colonial conquests occurred in the years 1860-1880 and very significant in the last twenty years of the 19th century. For France and Germany - precisely for this twentieth anniversary. There is no doubt, therefore, that the transition of capitalism to the stage of monopoly capitalism, to finance capital is associated with an intensification of the struggle for the division of the world.



Hobson, in his essay on imperialism, singles out the era of 1884-1900 as an era of increased “expansion” (expansion of territory) of the main European states. According to his calculations, England acquired 3.7 million square meters during this time. miles with a population of 57 million; France - 3.6 million sq. miles with a population of 36? million; Germany - 1.0 million sq. miles from 14.7 million; Belgium - 900 thousand sq. miles from 30 million; Portugal - 800 thousand sq. miles with 9 million. Chasing colonies in late XIX century, especially since the 1880s, on the part of all capitalist states is a well-known fact in the history of diplomacy and foreign policy.

In the era of greatest prosperity of free competition in England, in 1840-1860, its leading bourgeois politicians were against colonial policy and considered the liberation of the colonies, their complete separation from England, as an inevitable and useful matter. M. Behr points out in his article on “the latest English imperialism”, which appeared in 1898, how in 1852 such an English statesman inclined, generally speaking, towards imperialism as Disraeli, said: “Colonies are millstones on our neck." And at the end of the 19th century, the heroes of the day in England were Cecil Rohde and Joseph Chamberlain, who openly preached imperialism and applied imperialist policies with the greatest cynicism!

Colonial possessions expanded after 1876 on a gigantic scale: more than one and a half times, from 40 to 65 million square meters. km from the six major powers; the increase is 25 million sq. m. km, one and a half times the area of ​​metropolises (16? million). Three powers did not have any colonies in 1876, and the fourth, France, had almost none. By 1914, these four powers had acquired colonies covering an area of ​​14.1 million square meters. km, i.e. approximately one and a half times the area of ​​Europe, with a population of almost 100 million. The unevenness in the expansion of colonial possessions is very great.

English capitalists are trying in every possible way to develop cotton production in their colony, Egypt - in 1904, out of 2.3 million hectares of cultivated land in Egypt, 0.6 million were already under cotton, i.e. over a quarter are Russians in their colony, Turkestan, because in this way they can more easily beat their foreign competitors, they can more easily come to monopolize sources of raw materials, to create a more economical and profitable textile trust with “combined” production, with the concentration of all stages of production and cotton processing in one hand.

The interests of exporting capital also push towards the conquest of colonies, because in the colonial market it is easier (and sometimes the only thing possible) to eliminate a competitor through monopolistic means, secure supplies for oneself, consolidate the corresponding “connections”, etc.

“South America, and especially Argentina,” writes Schulze-Gevernitz in his essay on British imperialism, “is so financially dependent on London that it should almost be called an English trading colony.” Schilder estimated the capital invested by England in Argentina, according to reports from the Austro-Hungarian consul in Buenos Aires in 1909, at 8? billion francs. It is not difficult to imagine what strong ties, as a result of this, financial capital - and its faithful "friend", diplomacy - receives from England with the bourgeoisie of Argentina, with the leading circles of its entire economic and political life.

Two areas of weak development of capitalism, Russian and East Asian. The first has an extremely low population density, the second has an extremely high population density; In the first, political concentration is high, in the second it is absent. China has only just begun to be divided, and the struggle for it is between Japan, the United States, etc. is getting worse and worse.

Compare with this reality - with the gigantic variety of economic and political conditions, with the extreme discrepancy in the speed of growth of different countries, etc., with the frantic struggle between imperialist states - Kautsky’s silly little tale about “peaceful” ultra-imperialism. Are not American and other financial capital, which peacefully divided the whole world, with the participation of Germany, say, in the international rail syndicate or in the international merchant shipping trust, now redividing the world on the basis of new relations of power, changing in a completely non-peaceful way?

About 80% of the total railways concentrated in the 5 largest powers. But the concentration of ownership of these roads, the concentration of financial capital, is even immeasurably more significant, because English and French, for example, millionaires own an enormous amount of shares and bonds in American, Russian and other railways.

Thanks to its colonies, England increased “its” railway network by 100 thousand kilometers, four times more than Germany. Meanwhile, it is well known that the development of the productive forces of Germany during this time, and especially the development of coal and iron production, proceeded incomparably faster than in England, not to mention France and Russia. In 1892, Germany produced 4.9 million tons of pig iron, against 6.8 in England: and in 1912 it was already 17.6 against 9.0, i.e. a gigantic advantage over England! The question arises: on the basis of capitalism, what other means could there be, other than war, to eliminate the discrepancy between the development of productive forces and the accumulation of capital, on the one hand, and the division of colonies and “spheres of influence” for finance capital, on the other?

(addition according to Misko // what happened before - Lenin)

in 1900, 6 imp countries owned the whole world (except for the Old World) // the whole world consists of metropolises and colonies // this section is not entirely finished // all imp countries are embarking on the path of developing the military-industrial complex -> and 1 world of war.

Reason 2 - high monopolization of countries (Germany) - nowhere to expand - no free colonies

Wars in the era of imp (wars for redistribution)

Opium

Anglo-Boer // from 1898 - passed very quickly // in Africa // concentration camps were used!!

Russian-Japanese

American capture of the Philippines (from Spain)

Imperialist War - World War 1

Imperialism of France

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the process of monopolization of metallurgy, coal, machinery and other heavy industries began more slowly than in other countries. Half of the iron production is in 4 monopolies, coal - in 10. The most typical forms are cartels and syndicates, sometimes concerns, uniting enterprises in related areas. The main strength is in French banks (up to 70% of all investments). The 200 most influential shareholders of the FR Bank actually ruled the country. "Lyon Credit", National Accounting Office, General Society controlled most of the industry.

Export of capital increased in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Moreover, the export of capital exceeded the growth of industrial production. In 1870-1913, the volume of industrial products tripled, and the export of francs of capital - 6 times. The exported capital was one and a half times greater than the investment in the entire industry and trade of the country.

German imperialism

In the last third of 19th century, the concentration of production and capital intensively led to their monopolization. Cartels & syndicates prevailed, especially in the mining & non-heavy industry. Groups of this type monopolized only the sales sphere. in tech-economy & organizational relations entrepreneurs maintained freedom. For 80-90 years, the number of enterprises with more than 1 thousand workers increased 4 times. The Rhine-Westphalian Coal Syndicate was created. Subdued 95% of coal production in the Ruhr basin. Monopolist

extensive in electrical engineering (Siemens), steel & military (Krupp), chemical, shipbuilding. The number of syndicates from 1870 to 1900 increased from 50 to 300. The monopoly also affected the banking sector. In the early 20s, nine banks owned half of the deposits & 4/5 of the bank capital of Germany.

At the end of the 19th century, the framework of internal trade had outgrown, but there were no colonies: (- they intensified the propaganda of the plan of imperial annexations. The living space was expanded - the Pan-German Union (1891). Cameroon, North-West Africa, etc. were captured, but the colonies are still 11 times smaller than the English (by ter) & at 32 - by population

After the crisis of 1893, this process intensified. Elektrotechnique is already divided into the Universal Electric Society & Siemens-Halske & Schuckert. before 1 world 600 monopolies.

Banks are merging with industrial capital. In 751 the industrial computer is managed from 2 banks - "German Bank" & "Accounting Society". The total profit of monops in 1913 was 15 billion marks

Imperialism of Japan

A rapid industrial revolution, the lack of capital is being solved with the assistance of the state (actively helping). 1880 - 1 monopoly appeared. Trace Monopoly is a Japanese steamship company (transport & shipbuilding), founded in 1882.

In 1881, all state enterprises were transferred into private hands -> industrial production revived -> there was a concentration of production, especially in textiles (in 1897 there were already a million spindles). 1 cartel "Bosei Renkogai" - large textile enterprise to preserve manual labor

1890 - economic crisis, prices for cotton imports increased, and prices for yarn decreased. -> promotion to the markets of China & Korea. After the crisis, the militarization of the economy, the seizure of China (the low quality of publishing was compensated by cheapness). In Kit & Cor it is no longer the export of raw materials, but the export of finished goods. Capital relations are not developed within Japan -> capital is exported there. The impetus for monopolization - the financial crisis of 1897-98 & the global crisis of overproduction. The Japanese monopoly immediately formed as a financial-industrial group (explained by the “state” nature of Japanese capitalism). The monopoly is not limited to one industry, it spreads in different directions (Why? Chronic lack of capital!) -> sustainable profits and without control in the market. Various advances towards the capture of countries led to the Russo-Japanese War.

The leading bank is Japan Bank (founded in 1882). He invested in industry indirectly, through other banks (preference to strategic industries). Did the financial bank system include general financial institutions, for example, the Deposit Bureau? The price will be saved by the system.

New cartels & syndicates have emerged in the sugar, cement, coal, and railway industries. The old companies Mitsui and Mitsubishi are now concerns headed by a holding company.

But even so, Yap lags behind European countries & the USA. The share of industry in national income is only 40%

84 WWI & Dawes+Young plans

The USA, until the First World War, had high rates development. The annual increase in the total social product was 4.3%, while in Germany 3%, in England 2.4%, and France 2.1%. Before World War I, US industry ranked first, accounting for 70% of the cost of SOP.

Structural changes in economic development were characterized by an increase in railway construction, which stimulated the growth of production in other industries, especially metallurgy, coal, and metalworking. The sectoral structure of heavy industry was changing. Its new industries developed especially quickly: oil, steel, aluminum, automobiles, rubber. In traditional industries, there is a transition to mass serial production, which has led to the emergence of new methods of organizing labor and production. In 1813, the Ford plant used an assembly line to assemble tape recorders for automobiles. Instead of 20 minutes, assembly takes 5 minutes. As a result of the use of a conveyor, labor productivity increases, but at the same time, the monotony of labor sharply increases. Along with growth American economy, its contradictions deepen, which leads to economic crises. Crises played a major role in the process of concentration and centralization of capital, which led to the formation of monopolistic associations. The first American monopolies arose in the 70-80s of the 19th century. Trusts were a specific form of American monopolies. In the 80-90s, they were created in the textile, alcohol, tobacco, leather industries, as well as in the field of transport and communications. In 1901, Morgan created the steel trust, which controlled 43% of American iron and 66% of steel. Two groups of financial capital have emerged. These are the Morgans and Rockefellers. They owned 54% of the share capital in America.

Plan of Charles Dawes. O. Jung's plan An international committee of experts, chaired by the director of the Chicago bank, General Charles Dawes, developed a program to weaken reparations. This program came into force on September 1, 1924 and provided for three main sources of security for reparation payments:

Due to revenues from duties and indirect taxes (on consumer goods);

Due to income from German railways;

Taxation of industry.

In addition, foreign control over the implementation of the Dawes Plan was provided, which would not allow even the slightest deviation. Immediately after the introduction of the Dawes Plan, Germany was provided with a loan of 800 million marks by American creditors, aimed at strengthening the budget. During the period of implementation of the Dawes Plan (1924-1929), the penetration of Western capital into German industry in the form of loans, direct investments, and purchases of shares increased significantly. In total, Germany received up to 21 billion marks in loans from the United States and Great Britain. 70% of the loans were American. One of the significant consequences of the implementation of the Dawes Plan was the mitigation of the severity of the conflict in Germany’s relations with the outside world.

. O. Jung's plan. At the end of 1929, due to the onset of the global economic crisis, the Dawes Plan was replaced by the O. Young Plan. This plan provided for new reparation benefits for Germany. Thus, the total volume of reparations was limited to 113.9 billion marks. Annual payments were to amount to 2 billion marks. The only source of reparations remained the state budget and profits from the German railways. Payments from industrial profits and financial control over the German economy were abolished. Due to the crisis situation in mid-1931, American President Henry Hoover proposed canceling reparation payments for a year. Formally, O. Jung's plan was canceled.

Sections: History and social studies

The purpose of the lesson:

  1. Find out the causes, process and consequences of the formation of monopolies;
  2. Development of students’ skills in working with support patterns;
  3. Reveal the meaning of new concepts to the topic using supporting diagrams. (See Appendix 1)

Lesson equipment: Textbook “New History 8th grade.” AND I. Yudovskaya, L.M. Vanyushkin, P.A. Baranov; support diagrams (See Appendix 1)

During the classes

I. Vocabulary work from the textbook

Assignment: find explanations of words in the textbook dictionary:

  1. Monopoly
  2. Financial capital
  3. Imperialism
  4. Competition
  5. Oligarchy
  6. Trust, syndicate
  7. Concern

II. Explanation of new material

Today we have to trace the process of transition from capitalism to its highest stage - imperialism.

At the end of the lesson you should:

  1. Name five signs of imperialism
  2. Based on these signs, draw a conclusion: imperialism is a step forward or backward.

Homework: select examples to evaluate imperialism, showing its pros and cons.

III. Plan of the material being studied

  1. Reasons for the formation of monopolies
  2. Do monopolies eliminate competition?
  3. Formation of banking monopolies and banking capital
  4. Export of capital
  5. Education MMC
  6. The struggle for the redivision of the world
  7. Imperialism - positive or negative phenomenon

1. Reasons for the formation of monopolies:

Scientific discoveries in various areas lead to the rapid development of industry, growth in production, and ultimately, an increase in the profits of capitalists. Because the main objective capitalist production - profit, then competition is growing - the struggle for more favorable conditions for the sale of goods and for markets for raw materials.

An increase in production leads to a violation of proportions in the economy, since it does not develop according to plan (spontaneously), and this ultimately leads to economic crises, and these in turn lead to a decline in economic growth and the collapse of many enterprises. In order to survive, business owners need to search for and implement new technologies; only large enterprises can survive; all this forces capitalists to unite in monopolies - unions, in order to eliminate competition and obtain the greatest profit.

2. Question for students to think about: But do monopolies actually eliminate competition?

Based on supporting diagrams, students prove the opposite. The struggle is for power within the monopoly, for markets for raw materials, sales markets and cheap labor between monopolies. Contradictions between monopolies, on the contrary, are intensifying.

3. Formation of banking monopolies, financial capital and financial oligarchy.

During a period of rapid economic development and scientific discoveries, large monopolies can take out loans and store their capital from large, reliable banks. This, in turn, forces small banks to unite into banking monopolies. By investing their capital in monopoly banks, in order to control them, they send their representatives to the bank’s management.

In turn, the management of banks, wanting to receive more income, invest their capital in large monopolies, and send their representatives to the management of the monopolies to control them. This is how banking and industrial capital merge, i.e. financial capital arises; and with it the financial oligarchy: the fusion of power over the bank and the monopoly in the same hands.

4. Export of capital.

The capitalist's desire to gain more profit forces him to look for profitable forms of investing his capital. Not finding them in their own country, capitalists strive to take their capital to weaker countries where there are cheap raw materials and cheap labor (African colonies). This comes in the form of loans and credits, for which capitalists receive high interest rates.

The consequences of the export of capital are the dependence of the country into which capital is imported and the inhibition of the growth of its economy. Example: dependence of colonies on metropolises.

This export also affects countries exporting capital, where it could have a more useful use. Example: increasing wages or solving social issues.

5. Globalization of the economy leads to the formation of interstate monopolies.

6. The struggle for markets for raw materials and sales ultimately leads to a struggle for the redivision of the world. This is confirmed by the First and Second World Wars.

Conclusion: thus, the main features of imperialism are:

a) Formation of monopolies
b) Formation of financial capital and financial oligarchy
c) Import and export of capital
d) The struggle for the redivision of the world
e) Formation of interstate monopolies

So, we see that capitalism is being replaced by monopoly capitalism - IMPERIALISM.

7. How to evaluate IMPERIALISM?

I ask you to find the pros and cons of imperialism on your own using the materials in the textbook § 2, pp. 20, 21

The result of the independent work of eighth-graders should be the following table:

Reflection

  1. Explain the meaning of new concepts using a reference summary (see Appendix);
  2. Name the signs of imperialism;
  3. Explain their manifestation based on the diagram and supporting outline;

Write on the cards:

  1. What do you remember best?
  2. What remains unclear;
  3. Evaluate your knowledge on this topic yourself.

The term imperialism appeared in the late 60s (Hobbson & Hilferding).

Toyenbee writes not about imperialism, but about imperialism (as a state of the state). Not all countries that entered the imperialist stage had imperial power

(Germany, USA)

Imp outlines the relationship between the metropolis and the colony. In Russia, for example, there is

an empire, but no colony. From the point of view of ek-ki, imperialism is not a general system, but a special stage of capitalism (not necessarily the highest!) Imperialism is very clearly defined in history from the end of the 19th century. until the end of World War II.

Imperialism is a concept that characterizes the internal economic structure of the most developed powers and the corresponding forms of international economic and political relations. The stage (stage) of imperialism is highlighted by scientists (J. Hobson, V.I. Lenin) in relation to the capitalist formation, when the dominance of monopolies and financial capital takes shape, the economic division of the world occurs into spheres of interest of international (transnational) corporations (trusts) and on this basis a struggle unfolds between them, in which states are also included.

If it were necessary to give the shortest possible definition of imperialism, it would be necessary to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.

It is necessary to give a full definition and highlight five main features of imperialism: 1) the concentration of production and capital, which has reached such a high stage of development that it has created monopolies that play a decisive role in economic life; 2) the merger of banking capital with industrial capital and the creation, on the basis of this “financial capital,” of a financial oligarchy; 3) the export of capital, in contrast to the export of goods, becomes particularly important; 4) international monopoly unions of capitalists are formed, dividing the world, and 5) the territorial division of the land by the largest capitalist powers is completed. Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development when the dominance of monopolies and finance capital has emerged, the export of capital has acquired outstanding importance, the division of the world by international trusts has begun, and the division of the entire territory of the earth by the largest capitalist countries has ended.

Understood in this sense, imperialism undoubtedly represents a special stage in the development of capitalism.

Three areas with highly developed capitalism (strong development of communications, trade and industry): Central European, British and American. Among them are three states that dominate the world: Germany, England, and the United States. The imperialist competition and struggle between them is extremely aggravated by the fact that Germany has an insignificant region and few colonies; the creation of “Middle Europe” is still in the future, and it is being born in a desperate struggle. So far, political fragmentation is a symptom of all of Europe. In the British and American regions, on the contrary, political concentration is very high, but there is a huge discrepancy between the vast colonies of the first and the insignificant colonies of the second. And in the colonies, capitalism is just beginning to develop. The struggle for South America is intensifying.

Two areas of weak development of capitalism, Russian and East Asian. The first has an extremely low population density, the second has an extremely high population density; In the first, political concentration is high, in the second it is absent. China has only just begun to be divided, and the struggle for it between Japan, the United States, etc. is becoming more and more intense.

Financial capital and trusts do not weaken, but rather strengthen the differences between the speed of growth different parts world economy.

The development of railways proceeded most rapidly in the colonies and independent states of Asia and America. It is known that the financial capital of the 4-5 largest capitalist states reigns and rules here completely. Two hundred thousand kilometers of new railways in the colonies and in other countries of Asia and America, this means over 40 billion marks of new investment of capital on especially favorable terms, with special guarantees of profitability, with profitable orders for steel mills, etc., etc.

Capitalism is growing fastest in the colonies and overseas countries. New imperialist powers (Japan) are emerging among them. The struggle of world imperialisms is intensifying. The tribute that finance capital takes from particularly profitable colonial and overseas enterprises is growing. When dividing this “boot,” an exceptionally high share falls into the hands of countries that do not always rank first in terms of the speed of development of productive forces.

So, about 80% of the total number of railways is concentrated in the 5 largest powers.

Thanks to its colonies, England increased “its” railway network by 100 thousand kilometers, four times more than Germany. Meanwhile, it is well known that the development of the productive forces of Germany during this time, and especially the development of coal and iron production, proceeded incomparably faster than in England, not to mention France and Russia. In 1892, Germany produced 4.9 million tons of pig iron, versus 6.8 in England; and in 1912 it was already 17.6 versus 9.0, i.e. a gigantic advantage over England!

49. The main signs of imperialism (according to Lenin) 5 signs:

1) concentration of production and capital, which reached such a high stage of development that it created monopolies that play a decisive role in economic life; 2) the merger of banking capital with industrial capital and the creation, on the basis of this “financial capital,” of a financial oligarchy;

3) the export of capital, in contrast to the export of goods, becomes particularly important;

4) international monopoly unions of capitalists are formed, dividing the world

5) the territorial division of the land by the largest capitalist powers has been completed.

Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development when the dominance of monopolies and finance capital has emerged, the export of capital has acquired outstanding importance, the division of the world by international trusts has begun, and the division of the entire territory of the earth by the largest capitalist countries has ended. 1) example, in America almost half of the total production of all enterprises in the country is in the hands of one hundredth of the total number of enterprises -> that concentration, at a certain stage of its development, itself leads, one might say, close to a monopoly. For it is easy for several dozen giant enterprises to come to an agreement with each other, and on the other hand, the difficulty of competition, the tendency towards monopoly, is generated precisely by the large size of enterprises. 2) Among the few banks, which, due to the process of concentration, remain at the head of the entire capitalist economy, the desire for a monopolistic agreement, for a trust of banks, is naturally increasingly emerging and intensifying. In America, not nine, but two largest banks, billionaires Rockefeller and Morgan, dominate a capital of 11 billion marks 3) For the old capitalism, with the complete dominance of free competition, the export of goods was typical. For modern capitalism, with the dominance of monopolies, the export of capital has become typical. 4) Monopoly unions of capitalists, cartels, syndicates, trusts, divide among themselves, first of all, the domestic market, seizing the production of a given country into their, more or less complete, possession. But the internal market, under capitalism, is inevitably connected with the external one.

Capitalism long ago created a global market. And as the export of capital grew and the foreign and colonial connections and “spheres of influence” of the largest monopoly unions expanded in every possible way, things “naturally” approached a worldwide agreement between them, the formation of international cartels. This is a new stage in the worldwide concentration of capital and production, incomparably higher than the previous ones. Let's see how this super-monopoly grows. 5) We are, therefore, experiencing a unique era of world colonial policy, which is closely connected with the “newest stage in the development of capitalism,” with finance capital. It is therefore necessary to dwell in more detail, first of all, on the actual data, in order to clarify as accurately as possible both the difference between this era and previous ones, and the state of affairs at the present time. First of all, two factual questions arise here: is there an intensification of colonial policy, an intensification of the struggle for colonies precisely in the era of financial capital, and how exactly the world is divided in this regard at the present time.

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imperialism gezh yuu ve, imperialism is
Imperialism(from Latin imperium - power, domination) - public policy, aimed at supporting unequal relations. In foreign policy this manifests itself in the conquest of territories, the formation of colonies, and political or economic control over other countries. In domestic policy Industrial and financial monopolies (monopoly capitalism) play a significant role.

The stage of “imperialism” was considered by J. Hobson (1902), V.I. Lenin (1916) and others in relation to capitalism under the established dominance of monopolies and financial capital, when there is an economic division of the world into spheres of interest of international (transnational) corporations (trusts) and on this basis, a struggle unfolds between them, in which states are also involved.

In the 21st century, the content of imperialism largely overlaps and develops in the concept of globalism - a phase in which the struggle for spheres of influence in the world takes place in conditions close to a unipolar world.

Signs of imperialism:

  • the emergence of 4 types of monopolies: cartel, syndicate, trust, concern;
  • combining industrial and banking capital into financial capital;
  • the territorial division of the world has been completed, which inevitably gives rise to a war for a new redistribution;
  • the emergence of oligarchies;
  • the emergence of monopolistic unions dividing the world among themselves.
  • 1 Definitions
  • 2 Etymology
  • 3 Concepts of imperialism
    • 3.1 John Hobson
    • 3.2 V. I. Lenin
    • 3.3 N.A. Berdyaev
  • 4 Characteristics
  • 5 Reasons
    • 5.1 Economic
    • 5.2 Demographics
    • 5.3 Social Darwinism
    • 5.4 Scientific
    • 5.5 Techno-political
    • 5.6 Military and geostrategic
  • 6 Consequences
    • 6.1 Demographics
    • 6.2 Economic
    • 6.3 Social
    • 6.4 Political
    • 6.5 Cultural
    • 6.6 Environmental
  • 7 Examples of some empires
    • 7.1 Empire of ancient Rome
    • 7.2 American Empire
    • 7.3 Russian Empire
  • 8 See also
  • 9 Notes
  • 10 Literature

Definitions

Depending on the conceptual goals of the research of certain authors, their specific definitions of imperialism can be tied either only to modernity (that is, from the moment the term was introduced into scientific circulation, when it was tied only to modern era), or be retrospectively projected onto previous stages of human development.

The Small Soviet Encyclopedia (1929) uses a quote from V. I. Lenin’s work “Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism” to define imperialism:

capitalism at that stage of development when the dominance of monopolies and finance capital took shape, the division of the world by international trusts began and the division of all land by the largest capitalist countries ended.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1972) gives a definition developed on the basis of integrating the main provisions of the above Leninist work:

Monopoly capitalism, the highest and final stage of capitalism, the eve of the socialist revolution

“Imperialism is the highest, monopolistic stage of capitalism, when free competition is replaced by the dominance of monopolies,” notes the TSB, 2nd edition.

Today, the term “imperialism” continues to be part of the actively used lexical layer. This is confirmed by its inclusion in the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Modern in English 2009, which also gives an example of the use of this concept:

Noun the policy of extending the power and influence of a state through diplomacy and military force.
〔Wed.〕 : the fight against imperialism │ Example. French ministers protested against US imperialism in the field of culture. Original text (English)

n. a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force: the struggle against imperialism │ fig. French ministers protested at U.S. cultural imperialism.

Imperialism is a stage of socio-economic development of human society, or a historical formation, which is characterized by the recognition of private ownership of all forms of past accumulated collective productive activity of man: physical and physiological characteristics individual; land and natural resources; means of production; knowledge about the surrounding world and people. The private appropriation of surplus value under imperialism occurs taking into account all four forms.

In the West The definition of imperialism is broader - there imperialism is "the inequality of people and territorial relations, usually in the form of empire, based on ideas of superiority and the practice of domination, and the use of expanded powers and control of one state or elites over another." For example, Soviet Union, at least during the Cold War, was viewed by its opponents as an empire.

Etymology

Etymologically, “imperialism” goes back to Lat. imperare (command) > lat. imperium (power, domination). However, in European languages ​​(English imperialism, French impérialisme, German imperialismus, etc.) this term goes back indirectly through the concept of “empire,” which also returns to history Ancient Rome. The Oxford English Dictionary states that as a word form, “imperialism” was first encountered in the 16th century, and its first use in a sense approaching the modern one dates back to 1858 - the era of Pax Britannica, a relatively peaceful stage in the development of the Vienna geopolitical system, when the term was used in connection with criticism of the British Empire. P. Clayton traces the following evolution of the internal content of this term: if in 1858 it was associated with “despotism,” then in 1881 it already implies “the principle or spirit of empire, the protection of imperial interests.” The evolution of this term from a journalistic cliché into a scientific category was completed by the publication of John Hobson’s monograph “Imperialism” in 1902. national science and journalism in Russian, this happens no later than 1916, with the publication of V. I. Lenin’s work “Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism.”

Concepts of imperialism

John Hobson

From the first words of his monograph “Imperialism,” J. Hobson indicates the relationship of the key term of his concept with other “isms” that have already entered scientific circulation:

In the swampy chaos of vague political abstractions, it seems completely impossible to find all the “isms” and secure each one with an exact definition... it is in vain to demand the certainty that is necessary in the exact sciences. The broad connection of imperialism with various related concepts will make it easier for us to determine its essence. Nationalism, internationalism, colonialism - its three closest cousins ​​- are equally elusive, equally deceptive, and all four are so variable in relation to each other that extreme caution is required... Original text (English)

Amid the welter of vague political abstractions to lay one’s finger accurately upon any “ism” so as to pin it down and mark it out by definition seems impossible… it is idle to dem and the same rigour as is expected in the exact sciences. A certain broad consistency in its relations to other kindred terms is the nearest approach to definition which such a term as Imperialism admits. Nationalism, internationalism, colonialism, its three closest congeners, are equally elusive, equally shifty, and the changeful overlapping of all four demands the closest vigilance of students of modern politics.

Lenin pointed out that under imperialism the socialization of production reaches such a degree that “private economic and private property relations constitute a shell, the edges no longer correspond to the content, the edges must inevitably rot if its elimination is artificially delayed.”

“Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism” is one of the main theoretical works of V.I. Lenin, written in the spring of 1916, during the First World War (which Lenin considered “imperialist”). The book served to substantiate the most important theoretical and political positions of Leninism. In the first six chapters, Lenin examines the five main features of imperialism;

  • turning competition into a monopoly
  • merger of banking capital with industrial capital and formation of financial capital
  • the predominance of the export of capital over the export of goods
  • division of the world between monopoly capitalist unions
  • the struggle between the “great powers” ​​for the redivision of an already divided world

ON THE. Berdyaev

Berdyaev interprets imperialism as the antithesis of nationalism. Imperialism is the expression of the will to world power, which promotes the unification of mankind. Imperialism is also the “beginning of universalization”, overcoming the isolated existence of humanity. Berdyaev called the Roman Empire the first empire, and three countries as modern empires: England, Russia and Germany. However, German imperialism, according to Berdyaev, represents excessive nationalism and lacks universal consciousness. At the same time, imperialism inevitably leads to wars on a global scale.

Characteristics

Cecil John Rhodes, founder of De Beers, plans to build a Cape Town-Cairo telegraph.
  • The dominance of the transnational financial oligarchy (monopolies and corporations) as the antithesis of the classical private capitalist structure.
  • A single world economic system (economic world-system), in which industrial the developed countries exploit colonies and other dependent countries.
  • Imperialist wars for markets and raw materials. The struggle for the redistribution of the market, both by “peaceful” means and through war, is a characteristic feature of imperialism.

The most important contradictions of imperialism include the contradiction between labor and capital, between various financial groups and imperialist powers, between the metropolises - the ruling nations and the peoples of colonial and dependent countries.

Causes

Economic

The crisis in 1873 led to lower prices and, consequently, protectionism, that is, the protection of the products of each country by prohibiting the import of foreign goods or their increased taxation. This led to the need to search for new markets. In addition, European capitalist powers such as England, the Netherlands and France needed to invest their surplus capital in countries on other continents. These countries needed raw materials for their industries as they were starting to run out in Europe.

Demographic

The population of Europe doubled between 1850 and 1914. A large part of the population, about 40 million Europeans, had no choice but to go to the colonies of their countries in search of wealth and better living conditions.

Social Darwinism

Sociological theory according to which patterns natural selection and the struggles for existence identified by Charles Darwin in nature extend to relationships in human society. Adopted by the imperialists, especially in England, to justify their actions.

Scientific

There was great interest in identifying and analyzing new species of animals and plants, and studying new territories.

Techno-political

The emergence of new technologies has made it possible to effectively manage remote territories.

Military and geostrategic

The period between 1871 and 1914 was peace between the major European powers, the so-called Belle Epoque. The growing demographic potential was used for economic colonial expansion and emigration to new territories. Geostrategically, imperialism was the result of competition for dominance over sea lanes and key continental areas, such as the consolidated region of Central Asia or areas of Africa.

Consequences

Demographic

The population began to increase while mortality decreased, through the introduction of modern western medicine and maintaining a high birth rate. This led to an imbalance between population and resources that still exists today. However, in some areas the population suffered a sharp decline (especially during the first phase of imperialism), as a result of epidemic diseases (smallpox, influenza, etc.), genocide and assimilation.

Economic

The economic exploitation of the acquired territories required the creation of minimal conditions for their development. Infrastructure was created for manufacturing, agriculture and cities. The colonies became suppliers of products necessary for the metropolises. Traditional economies based on self-sufficient agriculture and multiculturalism have been replaced by modern forms.

Social

The social consequences were manifested in the establishment of a bourgeoisie of merchants and officials from the metropolises, who occupied the upper and middle levels of the colonial structure.

Political

The territories became more or less dependent on the metropolis. However, this dependence was not without conflicts, which were the germ of the struggle against imperialism.

Cultural

Imperialism led to the loss of identity and traditional values ​​of indigenous peoples and the implementation of the standards of behavior, education and mentality of the colonizers. This also led to the adoption of dominant languages ​​(especially English, French, Spanish and Russian). Christian religions (Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Eastern Orthodoxy, etc.) have replaced previously existing beliefs in many parts of Africa, Asia, the New World, or have been combined with these beliefs to form syncretic cults.

Environmental

The introduction of new forms of farming and previously unknown species of plants and animals led to the modification or destruction of natural ecosystems. For example, the bison was almost exterminated from the American prairies, the rabbit became a real scourge after its migration to Australia, the great rain forests were subject to deforestation caused by excessive logging and the introduction of monoculture plantations, rivers were polluted by waste from the mining of precious metals.

Examples of some empires

Empire of Ancient Rome

Roman Empire - (Latin Imperium Romanum, ancient Greek Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων) - a post-republican phase in the development of ancient Roman statehood, a characteristic feature of which was an autocratic form of government and large territorial possessions in Europe and the Mediterranean. The chronological framework of the existence of the Roman Empire covers the period of time starting from the reign of the first emperor Octavian Augustus, until the final division of the empire into Western and Eastern (or until the fall of the Western Roman Empire), that is, from 27 BC. e. to 395 (or 476) year. The eastern part of the Roman Empire, with its center in Constantinople, existed for about 1000 years.

American Empire

American Empire - (eng. American Empire) is a term indicating the political, economic, military and cultural influences of the United States. The concept of the American Empire was first popularized as a result of the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Sources and proponents of this concept range from classical Marxist theorists of imperialism, to neoconservatives convinced of the American imperialist role.

Russian empire

Russian Empire - (Russian doref. Russian Empire; also All-Russian Empire, Russian state or Russia) - a state that existed from October 22 (November 2), 1721 to February Revolution and the proclamation of the republic in 1917.

The Empire was proclaimed on October 22 (November 2), 1721, following the results of the Northern War, when, at the request of senators, Russian Tsar Peter I the Great accepted the titles of Emperor of All Russia and Father of the Fatherland.

The capital of the Russian Empire from 1721 to 1728 and from 1730 to 1917 was St. Petersburg, and in 1728-1730 Moscow.

The Russian Empire was the third largest state ever to exist (after the British and Mongol Empires) - stretching to the Arctic Ocean in the north and the Black Sea in the south, to the Baltic Sea in the west and Pacific Ocean in the east. The head of the empire, the All-Russian Emperor, had unlimited, absolute power until 1905.

see also

  • Capitalism
  • Neocolonialism
  • Neo-imperialism
  • List of dependent territories
  • Anti-Imperialist League
  • British Empire
  • Racism

Notes

  1. IN AND. Lenin "Imperialism - as the highest stage of capitalism"
  2. Pashukanis E. Small Soviet Encyclopedia. M.: 1929, - vol. 3, column 407.
  3. Lenin V.I. Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism. - Full. collection cit., vol. 27, p. 387.
  4. Gefter M. Ya. Great Soviet Encyclopedia. -3rd ed. -t.10. -M.: Sov. encyclopedia, 1972. -592 p.: ill., map.
  5. Vvedensky B.A. . Great Soviet Encyclopedia Volume 37 - Great Soviet Encyclopedia Second edition. Retrieved April 21, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013.
  6. Imperialism //The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English (33,981 total articles). 2009
  7. “On the human mind”, Getsiu I. I., St. Petersburg, Renome, 2010
  8. Gregory, Derek, Johnston, Ron, Prattt, Geraldine, Watts, Michael J., and Whatmore, Sarah (2009). The Dictionary of Human Geography (5th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. p. 373. ISBN 978-1-4051-3288-6
  9. Oxford English Dictionary online (subscription required)
  10. Imperialism(article on academickids.com)
  11. Imperialism(article on wordiq.com)
  12. Pax Britannica(article on academickids.com)
  13. Clayton, P. Imperialism and colonialism. In Enemies and passing friends: settler ideologies in twentieth-century Ulster, Chap. 1, pages pp. 9-32. London: Pluto Press (1996)
  14. 1 2 Hobson J.A.: Imperialism, A Study (1902) at www.marxists.org
  15. Lenin V.I. Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism on the site libbox.info
  16. Hobson J. Decree. cit., p.19.
  17. V.I.Lenin Complete Works volume 27 Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism, p. 425
  18. Berdyaev N.A. Nationalism and imperialism
  19. S. Gertrude Millin. Rhodes. London: 1933. P. 138
  20. Encyclopedic Dictionary 1953
  21. Vvedensky B. A. Great Soviet Encyclopedia Volume 30 - Great Soviet Encyclopedia Second Edition
  22. Ageeva O. G. The title “emperor” and the concept of “empire” in Russia in the first quarter of the 18th century // World of History: Russian electronic journal. - 1999. - № 5.

Literature

  • Blaug M. Economic imperialism // Economic thought in retrospect = Economic Theory in Retrospect. - M.: Delo, 1994. - P. 240-244. - XVII, 627 p. - ISBN 5-86461-151-4.
  • Vodovozov V.V. Imperialism // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
  • Hobson John. Imperialism. Surf, 1927.
  • Imperialism / Gefter M. Ya. // Willow - Italics. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1972. - (Great Soviet Encyclopedia: / chief editor A. M. Prokhorov; 1969-1978, vol. 10).
  • Kagarlitsky B. Yu. From empires to imperialism
  • Lenin V.I. Imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism
  • Mandel, Ernest Ezra. Marxist theory of imperialism and its critics (inaccessible link from 05/15/2013 (881 days) - history)
  • Semenov Yu. I.. Concepts of imperialism - a chapter from the book “Philosophy of History”
  • Historical place of imperialism. Documentary film on the history of the CPSU. 1973
State expansionism of modern and recent times
Metropolis Colony Terra nullius Doctrine of discovery Hegemony Colonialism Semi-colony Secession Decolonization Neocolonialism Postcolonialism
Overseas External territories of Australia Overseas expansion of Austria-Hungary Colonies of Belgium Colonies of Venice Colonies of Genoa Colonies of Denmark Colonies of Courland Possessions of the Order of Malta Possessions of Muscat and Oman Kingdom of New Zealand Possessions of Norway Colonies of Russia Overseas expansion of the USA Overseas expansion of Wales Colonies of Sweden Colonies of Scotland Colonies of Japan
Continental

Brazilian Empire Mughal Empire Habsburg Monarchy German Empire Possessions of Denmark Mexican Empire Possessions of the Ottoman Empire Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Expansion of Russia Expansion of the Third Reich French Empire Safavid Empire Continental expansion of the USA Qing Empire Swedish Great Power Japanese Empire
see also

Great geographical discoveries Colonization of America Colonial division of Africa Expansionism of the great powers in Asia (Great Game Unequal Treaties) History of the development of Australia Territorial claims in Antarctica
Lists: largest states in the history of modern dependent territories

5 signs of imperialism, imperialism, imperialism Wikipedia, imperialism gezh yuu ve, imperialism is, cultural imperialism, features of imperialism, what is imperialism, pagan imperialism

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