Wayne State AP Day
AP World lectures
Theme: IMPERIALISM
Lecture 1
Dr. Reddich
Russian expert
Imperialism: world systems theory:
Key is interaction of cultures. Introduction by Dr. Reddich was a document by a British
ship captain talking to Samoan chiefs in 1866. The ship captain was trying to convince
the Samoan chiefs to stop their monetary system (mat trade) and switch to money.
He said their is huge advantage in coin $ and picking cotton for Samoan people who had
disagreements over “mat” money, ie., carrying around a bunch of mats was cumbersome and
money was easier to carry.
*Dr. Reddich said this is an ex. of Europeans trying to change indigenous economy from mats
to $ or global colonial economy.
Dr. Reddich explained old traditional reasons for Imperialism —3 G’s: God, Glory, and Gold–Dr. Reddich is going to discuss “Gold,” ie., economic rationale then summarize God and Glory in
“summary.”
Source: Emmanuel Wallerstein (today at Princeton) modern world systems theory and then, as you
will see, critiques Wallersteins POV (Marxist and euro-centric).
1. GOLD, ie., economic
Modern World systems
16th century Europe in economic crisis. Need to expand, ie., global exploration, colonization, and
dominance of globe by 19th century. (Wallerstein’s economic theories–historiography)
Global capitalism and European expansion=Modern World System theory developed by Europeans.
{Would be interesting, I thought, to compare and contrast Lynda Shaffer’s, “Southernization” to
Wallerstein’s point of view and theories}
Wallerstein’s Modern World System is labeled a “hierarchy of Zones,” 1. Center Zone, 2. semi-periphery or in-between powers, and 3. periphery. (like solar system)
Colonial Power is in center-colonies on outside of Powerful state’s orbit..
ex. Soviet union and Iron Curtain countries–satellite countries.
A. 16th-18th cent. Core Power=economic dominant countries, ex. Mercantile powers such as Portugal, Spain, England, France, etc.
B. 19th cent. Industrial powers-British, Fr., Germans
C. 20th cent. post-WW II–American and Soviets
Semi-periphery powers–Russia 1500-1945.
Key is economic commodities and Wallerstein claims military power comes from Economic power.
Note Monarchies were core zones, now republican democracies and colonies were periphery zone.
Wealthy elites in core–TRADE and WAR and Wallerstein says Trade more important.
Wallerstein says 1500’s begin global economic exchange with 16th century Spain as Core power.
Periphery ex. could be Mexico.
Wallerstein’s error?? Critique of Wallerstein’s Modern World Systems theory:
Too Euro-centric. Wallerstein does not talk about prior global exchange systems, ie., Indian O.,
Ottoman Empire, Medit. Sea, ie., there was global exchange before 1500’s.
Today Core shifting to Pacific rim countries, ie., China, etc. al..
2. GOD
European core powers forced religion on indigenous people. Church worked with elites to empower
Imperialism.
Ex. Russian defeat of Mongols at Kazan 16th century. Kazan by 1500’s was a Muslim center.
Russian Orthodox Church helped occupation of Kazan by building monasteries in Kazan.
Economic presence would flow from religious monasteries
3. GLORY–Imperial glory, nationalism, patriotism
Wallerstein claims expansion of European Enlightenment, Progress, rationality a factor in Imperialism.
Core Power Cultural Institutions to bring “rationality” to indigenous people–ie, periphery
Yet, interaction was both ways, ie., from Colony to Colonizer.
(This is Columbian exchange ideas) Maize, tobacco, Pepper, etc. from colony to Colonizer or
Periphery to Core power. This caused a revolution in Botany creating new scientific categories.
Dr. Reddich says Center Core needs new colonies to “understand Itself.”?????
ex. “Heart of Darkness,” Joseph Conrad or “Apocalyse Now” Marlon Brando film
These two European art pieces show Africa, SE Asia as dark, savage, scary, yet exotic, erotic
Colonies=fears AND potential. Colonizer, Core power enlightened while periphery colony needs
Core philosophies, rational thought to improve….
(I use Orientalism art as an example of this)
Iraq today as an example?
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An aside from Mr. Maunu: AP World is moving toward historiography as a theme.
Dr. Reddich has given us an example with an analysis of Dr. Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory.
Wallerstein, like Eric Hobsbawn (European historian), have a Marxist and Euro-centric POV.
Understanding other authors, Jerry Bentley (Traditions and Encounters, no. 1 selling AP World text), Peter Stearns, etc., will become a necessity to understand for future AP World history curriculum
and AP exams.
