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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