Imperialism+Jigsaw+Projects+3B

Script
David:

Imperialism was spread slowly to the Middle East compared to some of the other regions that Europeans colonized, such as Africa. This is because before the European imperialists came to the Middle East, the Middle East was dominated by the Ottoman Empire. So imperialism in the Middle East started when the Ottoman Empire started to lose power. When the Ottomans started to show weaknesses, the Europeans started to look for ways to take over the lands in the Middle East.

Ryan:

This is because the Middle East was a very important region for trade route control, as it was in between Europe and its trading partners such as China. Also, there were a lot of natural resources in the Middle East such as oil, which were needed for a lot of the new machinery produced during the Industrial Revolution.

Andy:

The Russians finally waged war on the Ottomans, and the war was called the Crimean War. Britain and France did not want the Russians gaining land, so they joined the Ottoman’s side. However even with Britain and France’s help, the Ottomans still lost many of their lands. Because of this, other countries in the Middle East started to reform as to not get dominated by European powers.

Ryan:

We will now act out an example of a Middle Eastern nation becoming occupied by European imperialists. (Introduce us)

David = Ottoman Andy = Russian, European Ryan = Egypt

Andy

If I take over the Ottoman Empire, I can dominate trade in that area. The Ottoman Empire is also very weak right now.

David


 * gets beat up

Ryan:

Oh no! I’d better reform! The Europeans are going to dominate over me! I will build new canals and roads to modernize myself! Europeans, please lend me money so that I can build these things.

Andy

Sure.

Ryan

Yes! I’ve finished building my transportation routes!

Andy

Well can you pay back your debt now?

Ryan:

Um…

Andy

Well in that case I’ll occupy your lands, and the canals that you have built.

Ryan:

Um…

David:

And this is how the British people occupied Egypt, a nation in the Middle East. The canals that Egypt built became crucial to Britain’s imperial policy.

Ryan:

Another example of imperialism in the Middle East happened in Persia, which was wanted especially by the Russians and the British for its geographical location. However Persia resisted the European powers and many riots and boycotts broke out.

Andy:

Eventually the British and Russians took over Persia by force and divided it into spheres of influence, or the area that different European nations controlled.

David:

In conclusion, many other Middle Eastern nations tried to modernize to European standards, but most of them failed. Most of the Middle East was colonized and occupied by the Europeans and this gave European nations even more resources and much better trade routes.

Ryan:

After imperialism disappeared in the Middle East, there were many after-effects left by the imperialists. There were many states created that did not exist before, because of the boundaries created by the different European powers.

Andy:

Some of the benefits the colonies earned were that they became more modernized by the industrial revolution’s influence, and that the government and economy became stronger under Europeans’ guidance.


 * References**

1. "Empire and Imperialism - Middle East - Conclusion." Science Encyclopedia. 14 Jan. 2009 . 2. "Imperialism in the Middle East and North Africa: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and much more. 14 Jan. 2009 . 3. "[Regents Prep Global History] Imperialism: Middle East." Oswego City School District Regents Exam Prep Center. 14 Jan. 2009 .