Title: Age of Imperialism
1 Age of Imperialism
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?
2What does this political cartoon tell you about
the Age of Imperialism?
3Definition
- Imperialism one countrys domination of
political, economic, and social life of another
country - Sea power centralized govts
industrialization unprecedented empires
4MAIN 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)
5Why 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.
6Forms
- 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
7Results
- 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
8Wrap 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?