Imperialism

1
Imperialism

• 1800-1914

2
Definition and Scope

• The domination by one country of the political,
  economic or cultural life of another country or
  region
  
• By the 19th century European countries gain lands
  around the world
  
• Western European nations like Belgium, Italy,
  Germany, Britain, France, Spain and Portugal
  involved in the New Imperialism of the 1800s

3
Causes of Imperialism

• Economic- the Industrial Revolution created needs
  and desires that spurred overseas expansion
  
• Manufacturers wanted natural resources for their
  factories and new markets for their finished
  goods
  
• Provide a safety valve for a growing European
  population

4
2nd Cause

• Political and Military- needed military bases
  around the world so ships could take on supplies
  
• Nationalism-keeping up with the other European
  nations and for national security
  
• World Prestige- more land equals more power

5
3rd Cause

• Humanitarian Goals- The White Mans
  Burden-Rudyard Kipling
  
• Need to help the less fortunate fight famine and
  disease keep the peace
  
• Missionaries had a duty to Christianize the
  non-Christians
  
• Duty to spread the blessings of Western
  civilization
  

6
4th Cause

• Social Darwinism-Western idea of racial
  superiority
  
• Applied Darwins theory of natural selection and
  survival of the fittest to human society
  
• Believed that the European race was superior to
  all others and conquering weaker races was
  natures way of improving the human race

7
Resistance to Imperialism

• Africans and Asians strongly resisted western
  expansion
  
• Many fought the Europeans even though they had
  inferior weapons and the Europeans had the Maxim
  machine gun
  
• January 23, 1879- Battle of Isandlwana
• Zulus in South Africa killed over 1200 British
  troops
  
• 1899-1902-Boer War silver and gold discovered
  Boers vs. British British win at a great cost

8
Criticism of Imperialism

• Small group of anti-imperialists emerged
• Argued that imperialism and colonialism was a
  tool for the rich and it was immoral taking over
  another people and their land
  
• Said that the home country was moving toward
  democracy but was being undemocratic to the
  people they have taken over
  
• Imperialism brought militarism

9
European Partition of Africa

• European colonial rule in Africa lasted from the
  1870s to the 1960s
  
• Brought major changes to Africa and sparked
  conflicts between Africans and Europeans

10
European Progression into Africa

• Explored the coasts
• Explorers moved into the interior
• Missionaries
• European military and conquest
• 1884- Berlin Conference- European nations
  establish rules for colonizing Africa
  
• 1884-1904-European rush for Africa
• By 1914 most of Africa was colonized but
  nationalism was growing and many colonies wanted
  their independence
  

11
Ethiopia

• Remained independent along with Liberia
• 1889- Menelick II- westernized his army and
  society
  
• 1896- defeated the Italians
• 1936- Italians annex Ethiopia