Imperialism in the 18th & 19th

Centuries

IMPERIALISM (1770s-1914)

Industrialized nations (Europe, U.S.,

Russia, and later Japan)

strengthened their control over their

colonies AND established

transoceanic empires throughout

Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

Imperialism is this extension of

political and economic control of

stronger nations over weaker nations

European Colonies - 1700

Industrialized nations control

by 1900

WHY did industrialized

nations seek to control

other areas of the world in

the 18th and 19th centuries?

Western nations wanted:

PROFIT!!

To control the trade of valuable

products around the world-

industrialization and growing affluence

led to the need for extensive raw

materials and agricultural products

markets for their factory

products-sometimes European

factories produced more than

Europeans could consume for

themselves

Absorb the excess population of

European nations-avoid class conflict at

home

Nationalism- “Great Power” status in a

competitive political system (Italy and

Germany)

ABCs for Baby Patriots-1899

Missionaries, aid societies, and

others wanted to “Christianize”

and/or “civilize” people in less

developed regions.

•By 1910, 10,000

missionaries in

Africa

•By the 1960s, 50

million Africans

were Christian

HOW did they do it?

Industrialized nations:

Used their stronger militaries

(using superior firepower,

military technology, & navies)

Relied on native elites who were

Western educated

Maxim

Gun and

Breech-

loading

rifles

•Steam ships

and British

control of Suez

Canal

•Underwater

telegraph cables

Industrialized nations:

Used their wealth for influence

Had support by industrialists,

military, and religious groups

Industrialized nations had:

Medicines and medical technology-

Quinine to prevent malaria

JUSTIFICATION for

Imperialism

Widespread belief among

imperial powers that European

races SHOULD dominate the

world.

SOCIAL DARWINISM – survival

of the world’s best races

Social Darwinism•Based on the ideas

of Charles Darwin

and the “survival of

the fittest.”

•European

dominance involved

the destruction or

displacement of

“backward” people

or “unfit” races.

•Imperial

aggression was

seen as both natural

and progressive.

The Rhodes

Colossus

©2012, TESCCC

The British Empire 19th century

The partition of Africa 1800s

Scramble for Africa

By 1914, 90% of Africa under European

control

Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground

rules for European colonization of Africa

Hardest to conquer decentralized

societies w/ no formal state structure-

village by village

The partition of Africa 1914

• See if you can identify part of the problem

with colonization.

Scramble for Africa

Consequences

Traditional way of life disrupted

Economic exploitation of Africans

European racism imported into Africa

Spread of European culture-education

and religion

Spread of Western technology

Change to women’s roles

Scramble for Africa

Economic Consequences-Rise in forced

labor within Africa

Forced Labor-Belgian Congo most infamous

case of abuse

Cash-Crop agriculture-often led to famine

for local people and dependence on foreign

markets

Wage Labor-migration of labor, urbanization,

mines

ECONOMIES of FORCED LABOR

Colonial subjects were required / forced to work as unpaid laborers on public projects like building railroads, constructing government buildings, and transporting goods.

French Africa – 10-12 days labor per year

Belgian Congo – private companies with state support terrorized natives to collect rubber

Netherlands East Indies – peasants required to turn 20% of their land into cash crop agriculture

Portuguese Mozambique – brutal enforcement of cotton production quotas

British control of India-British

East India Company

Indian Rebellion1857-58

•Based on a

series of Indian

grievances

towards the

British

•Led to

intolerance of

natives and direct

control by the

British

government

Britain (United Kingdom)Includes England, Scotland, Wales,

Ireland

Largest colonial empire “Sun never sets on the British Empire”

Colonies established to protect trading interests in Africa and Asia

Two kinds of colonies “White” Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South

Africa) Populated mainly by people that moved there from Britain

Given self-rule

“Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa)

Under indirect rule

Populated mainly by people who are native to the area

Few people from Britain actually live there – but control the government

What is being

advertised?

Where is this taking

place?

How can you tell?

What is going on?

What does it tell us

about imperialism /

colonialism?

Who was the queen

at the time?

Common advertisement during Imperialism

A British Merchant's Home in Colonial India

European Imperialism in India

Consequences of British Imperialism in India

British educational system established-creates

cultural divide between educated and

uneducated

Spread of English language

Railroads tie India together

Rise of Indian middle class-Western educated

and eventually politically active