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THE WORLD IN 1900
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World Population Info (1900)
In 1900, China had 467 million people Europe - 325 million North/ Central & South America - 178 million Africa - 13.5 Australia and New Zealand - 0.5 million. In the 20th century, there has been rapid population growth in Afica and the USA. Their populations are now much greater than Europe.
Immigrations
At the beginning of the 1900s, the immigration arrivals in the USA rose rapidly, as people from Europe as well as Asia left their homelands in search of better lives. Others went to Australia and Latin America (Central and South America).
Contents: The Americas Europe Africa Asia Australia and New Zealand
United States of America
At the turn of the century, grain was the main export from the USA.
Dominion of Canada
Gold was mined and exported from Canada.
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal was being built between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in 1900. Before its completion, ships had to go around the continent of South America, which was a much longer route.
The Galapagos islands
In 1835, Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos islands and studied its wildlife, thereby forming his theory of evolution. His work was of major influence on the life and earth sciences and on modern thought in general.
Brazil and other Latin American Countries
In 1900, many Latin American (Central and South
American) countries grew coffee.
The Eiffel Tower of France
The Eiffel Tower was the world’s tallest structure in 1900 at 320m (1050 feet).
The Zeppelin flies
The first Zeppelin, a rigid airship filled with hydrogen gas, flew in Germany in 1900, carrying passengers over long distances. The Zeppelin was the most successful airship, flying from 1900 to 1938, with more than 150 built.
Britain’s Empire
In the 1800s, Britain was unrivalled as the most powerful nation in the world. Its empire was the largest ever, covering a third of the world’s surface. By 1900, this position was threatened by Germany and USA.
Italy’s Empire
In 1900, Italy’s empire included Libya, Italian Somaliland and Eritrea in Africa.
Germany’s Empire
In 1900, Germany’s empire included German East Africa, Cameroons and German South-West Africa on the African continent and German New Guinea in Asia.
Spanish Empire
In 1900, the Spanish Empire included Rio De Oro and Spanish Morocco in Africa.
Portugal's Empire
In 1900, the Portuguese Empire included Angola, Portuguese Guinea and Portuguese East Africa all on the African continent as well as (East) Timor in South-east Asia
Belgium’s Empire
In 1900, the Belgian Empire included Belgian Congo in Africa.
Netherlands’ Empire
In 1900, the empire of the Netherlands included Dutch Guiana of South America and the Dutch East Indies (in South-East Asia).
Denmark’s Empire
In 1900, Denmark’s empire included Greenland, just North-west of Denmark.
The French Empire
In 1900, the French controlled French Guiana of South America, Morocco, French West Africa and Madagascar on the African continent and French Indo-China in South-east Asia.
Contents:
The
Americas Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia
and New Zealand
Africa in the 1880s
In the 1880s, most of Africa had been divided up and taken over by European powers. Only Liberia and Abyssinia remained free of foreign influence.
The Boer War in Southern Africa
The British and Afrikaners (the Dutch) settlers of Southern Africa (what is now South Africa) fought against each other in the Boer War. It ended in a British victory in 1902. Since then, the two groups have been keeping themselves culturally and socially separate until recent years.
African elephants
Colonialists traded in African elephant tusks.
Contents: The
Americas Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia
and New Zealand
Tea from Ceylon
Tea was Ceylon’s main export in 1900.
Russian Empire
In 1900, the Russian Empire was over a sixth of the world’s land, across eastern Europe and Asia.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
By 1900, most of the Trans-Siberian Railway, from China to western Russia, had been built.
The Boxer Rebellion in China
In 1900, a patriotic Chinese secret society known as the Harmonious Fists, who came to be known as the Boxers, had an uprising against the European merchants in China, who represented alien powers, and the Chinese Christians. After Western missionaries were killed, the US, Germany, Britain Italy and Japan sent troops to fight the Boxers.
Japan
Following a period of rapid industrialization, Japan entered the 20th Century as the only Asian country to have a western style economy. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Japan’s empire included Formosa (or Taiwan) from the Sino-Japanese war of 1894 and Korea from the Russo-Japanese war.
Philippines
In 1900, the Philippines (in Asia) was a US colony.
Malayan rubber
Rubber from Malaya was exported for use in bicycle and early car tyres.
Contents:
The
Americas Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia
and New Zealand
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Australia
Many went to Australia in search of gold.
New Zealand’s Women
In 1893, New Zealand became the only country where women were allowed to vote in elections. Australian women got the vote in 1902.
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