European ImperialismEuropean Imperialism

1850-19141850-1914

Imperialism is an institution under which one nation asserts the right to seize the land or at least to control the government or resources of another people.

-John T. Flynn

IntroductionIntroduction Imperialism- The social,

economic, and political domination of one nation by another country.

Old Imperialism- Took place between 1500 and 1800, included the American Colonies.

New Imperialism- Between 1815 & 1914, the West (Europe and America) increased their control of the world’s land mass from 35%-85%.

New ImperialismNew Imperialism Between 1850 and 1914, nationalism had

produced strong, centrally governed nation-states. The Industrial Revolution had made economics stronger as well.

During this time, Japan, the U.S., and the industrialized nations of Europe became more aggressive in expanding in other lands.

The new imperialism was focused mainly in Asia and Africa, where declining empires and local wars left many states vulnerable. In Africa, many states had been weakened by the legacy of the slave trade.

NationalismNationalism Feeling of intense pride

towards your country. Nationalistic thought led to

a feeling of superiority, so imperialists felt they had the right to take control of other countries they viewed as weaker.

Three types of imperialismThree types of imperialism

Colony- Direct and complete control

Protectorate- Control foreign affairs - not directly ruled

Sphere of Influence- Control trade

(think of a street gang & its turf)

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismEconomic

Industrialization gave the West the ability to conquer other parts of the world.

Large-scale industrial production made Western factories demand more raw materials, which could be seized from less powerful nations.

Also, Western nations needed markets for goods produced.-Colonies would serve as potential

markets. Immense wealth allowed Western

world to conquer distant places.

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismMilitary Factors

Industrialization bestowed new weaponry of all types upon the armies and navies of the West:

-Ocean-going fleets

-Modern rifles and rapid-fire artillery. Occasions were rare that native populations

could resist Western military forces. Growing need of Western nations to

maintain bases & coal/oil stations around the world for naval & civilian fleets.

-Ships required repairs and refueling stations at strategic locations globally.

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismSocial Factors

Europe’s rapid population growth during the 1800’s-played a role in prompting imperial activity.

-Emigration to the Americas was an outlet.

-Millions came to the Americas.

-Another outlet was to leave home for colonial life.

*Ambitious or desperate families attempted to make their fortunes this way.

Causes of ImperialismCauses of Imperialism Role of Science & Technology

Instrumental in allowing West to conquer & colonize.-Knowledge was power.-Advances in transportation,

communication, and warfare brought by the I.R. enabled Western nations to build empires.

- New wave of exploration allowed for better knowledge of the geography of the world.

Medical advances-Made possible for Europeans and

Americans to press into tropical regions.

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors

Sense of racial superiority was widespread among Westerners. Created a sense that

Western nations were entitled to conquer & colonize areas that appeared “backwards” or “primitive”.-Cecil Rhodes, British

imperialist, “I contend that we are the finest race in the world, and the more of it we inhabit, the better.”

Cecil Rhodes

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors

Social Darwinism encouraged imperialism.

The idea applied to Darwin’s Theory of Survival of the Fittest.

Social Darwinist’s argued that it was natural for stronger nations to dominate weaker nations.

Charles Darwin

Causes of ImperialismCauses of ImperialismCultural Factors

Westerners believed that it was the White Imperialists duty to teach & modernize the darker-skinned, supposedly “primitive” peoples of Africa & Asia. English poet Rudyard

Kipling, “White Man’s Burden”.

Poem explained why Westerners were superior to people from “primitive” people.

Rudyard Kipling

Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresIndia

British East India Company This company established trade

in India and by 1800, controlled 3/5ths of India. The company employed

Indian Soldiers called SEPOYS.

The Sepoys were forced to follow rules against their Muslim religion and revolted, this was crushed by the British army.

The tension that followed caused the British government to take complete control of India in 1858.

Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresChina

China and the rest of the East did not want western culture in their part of the world and greatly resisted imperialism.

British merchants began trading opium with China in the 1700’s. When the Chinese tried to ban the import of the illegal drug, Britain overpowered them and established colonies in China. This battle is considered the Opium War.

After the Opium War other European powers carved up the East with “Spheres of Influence” – which meant that foreign countries had exclusive trade rights within the country.

Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresScramble for Africa After 1880, African colonization

moved away from gold & slave trade to one of taking over territory. Thanks to better maps, industrial-era

weapons, and medicines, European armies and colonizers were able to penetrate every part of the “Dark Continent”.

Almost led to war amongst the nations of Europe several times-Berlin Conference of 1884-5 was held- Presided over by Bismarck

- Laid down guidelines for African expansion and played a certain role in keeping the peace.

Europe’s Overseas EmpiresEurope’s Overseas EmpiresScramble for Africa

European leaders divided Africa with no regards of who lived there, in 1850 most of Africa was free, by 1914 all of Africa was conquered accept Ethiopia and Liberia. The Zulu Tribe in Africa led

by Shaka Zulu tried to resist colonization, but were eventually overpowered.

Boer War (1899-1902) Africans suffered greatly;

tribe after tribe, country after country fell to the Europeans.