Age of Imperialism

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Age of Imperialism

• 1880-1914

I contend that we Britons are the first race
in the world, and the more of the world we
inhabit, the better it is for the human race It
is our duty to seize every opportunity of
acquiring more territory and we should keep this
one idea steadily before our eyes that the more
territory simply means more Anglo- Saxon race
English, more of the best, the most human, most
honourable race the world possesses. Cecil
Rhodes, Confession of Faith, 1877
What motives for imperialism can you find in
Rhodess statement?
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What does this political cartoon tell you about
the Age of Imperialism?
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Definition

• Imperialism one countrys domination of
  political, economic, and social life of another
  country
• Sea power centralized govts
  industrialization unprecedented empires

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MAIN Motivations

• M Markets (both to get raw materials and sell
  finished products)
• A Acquire resources
• I Introduce Christianity European superior
  culture
• N Nationalism (competition between nations)

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Why did Europeans feel that they could conquer
the world?

• Social Darwinism
• Herbert Spencer, said some human races were
  further evolved than others.
• Rudyard Kiplings White Mans Burden poem. Made
  Imperialism seem like the nice thing to do to
  help uncivilized areas become civilized.

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Forms

• Colony directly ruled by an imperial power
• Protectorate native govt guided by a foreign
  power
• Sphere of Influence region where an imperial
  power has exclusive economic rights

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Results

• Elites across ALL cultures benefit
• Competition among Europeans rising tension
• Racism increases
• 1914 Europe controls 85 worlds territory (up
  from 15 in 1815)
• Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands had biggest
  empires
• Russia, Germany and Italy, US Japan join later

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Wrap it Up Question

• What are the 4 main motivations for European
  Imperialism in the time period 1880-1914?
• Which do you feel is the most important for
  European Imperialists? Why?