Violent suppression of rebellions, such as that following the Maji-Maji Revolt, cast shadows over Europe’s imperialist enterprise. Discontent in Europe emerged alongside rebellion in the colonies, causing some to wonder if European dominance would last. Europeans composed almost a third of the world’s population, commanded a higher percentage of its wealth, and shaped most major decisions. By the beginning of the twentieth century, economic, political, and cultural changes provided great opportunities but also tremendous anxiety.

Progress and Upheaval

Everywhere, radicals and reformers agitated for political and social change. Economic progress and stratification led many to condemn the division between rich and poor. Women found new roles as old roles were disrupted. Science contributed to "modernist" critiques of traditional worldviews, which in turn affected culture and the arts. In all, the identities of nations and people came to be more strongly redefined, eventually contributing to the devastation brought by World War I.

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