Imperialism: A Western Dominated World

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Imperialism A Western Dominated World

• Economic, political, and military interests
  spurred European imperialism in the 1800s. Other
  motivating factors included humanitarianism,
  religious fervor, and racism. Europeans of all
  classes supported imperialism. The imperialist
  powers of Europe established colonies,
  protectorates, and spheres of influence all
  around the world.

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Motives for the New Imperialism

• Industrial Revolution had created strong European
  economies and strong confidence among Europeans
  themselves.
• Between 1870 and 1914 Europeans brought much of
  the world under their control.

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• Economic Interests
• Natural resources (i.e. rubber, petroleum, palm
  oil, etc.)
• Wanted to expand their markets around the world
• Bankers wanted new ventures to invest in
• Establishing colonies was a good outlet for
  Europes rapidly growing population

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• Political and military interests
• Steampowered merchant ships and naval vessels
  needed bases around the world to take on coal and
  supplies
• Nationalism?when one country seized land in an
  area (i.e. Africa and India) other nations would
  seize lands around them to halt their expansion
• Increase Prestige?some acquired colonies to make
  themselves look good

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• Humanitarian and religious goals
• Many westerners felt concern for their little
  brothers beyond the sea? missionaries, doctors,
  and colonial officials believed they had a duty
  to spread what they saw as the blessings of
  western civilization. (White Mans
  Burden)page 633

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• Social Darwinism
• Survival of the fittest and natural selection
• Some people believed that European races were
  superior to all other races and imperial conquest
  was seen as survival of the fittest.?this led
  to millions of non-westerners being robbed of
  their cultural heritage.

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• Empire builders and critics
• Many people supported imperialism at this time in
  history but there were also critics?some said
  that imperialism was a tool of the rich, others
  called it immoral.
• Many pointed out that Westerners were moving
  toward more democracy at home, but were imposing
  undemocratic rule on other people.

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Why did Western Imperialism Succeed?

• European nations had grown stronger
• Strong economies, well-organized governments,
  powerful armies and navies
• Superior technology and improved medical
  knowledge
• Technology?i.e. the Maxim machine gun, repeating
  rifles, and steam driven warships

Malaria pills
Steam Ships
Maxim gun
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Why did Western Imperialism Succeed?

• Other nations had weakened?Ottoman Empire, Mughal
  India, and Qing China.
• Wars among African nations and the slave trade
  had drained their resources?newer African nations
  were not strong enough to resist western expansion