New Imperialism

1
New Imperialism

• Critics of the new imperialism attacked the
  economic, political, paternalistic, and racist
  motives behind 19th century imperialism.

2
Evidence

• New Imperialism
• J. A. Hobson
• Joseph Chamberlain
• Suez Canal
• Boers Wars
• Sepoy Mutiny
• jingoism
• Alfred T. Mahan

• Cecil Rhodes
• David Livingstone
• Henry Stanley
• Boxer Rebellion
• Open Door Policy
• gunboat diplomacy
• Opium Wars
• Congress of Berlin

3
Motives Justifications

• Economic
• Access to markets, raw materials and profits from
  investments in developing infrastructure
• Reduce prices of goods and provide employment and
  economic benefits for workers
• Political
• Nationalists argued that imperialism was
  necessary for the prestige of their country and
  for strategic ports
• Social Darwinist believed that the European
  states were engaged in a fierce struggle for
  survival and that colonies were important for
  victory

4
Motives/Justifications Continued

• Paternalistic
• Some argued that it was a moral obligation for
  Europeans to spread the benefits of Western
  civilization medicine, education, democracy,
  science, and technology to the backwards world
• Christian missionaries believed they were saving
  souls
• Racist argued that imperialism was justified
  because of the inferiority of the African and
  Asian races.

5
Critics

• Critics said that imperialism was detrimental in
  that the taxpayers had to pay for the imperial
  armies and navies
• Critics, such as Hobson, argued that only the
  cash-rich capitalist who needed places to invest
  their surplus capital benefited from imperialism
• Critics argued that imperialist competition might
  lead to unnecessary wars
• Critics also asserted that imperialism was a way
  for the ruling elite to avoid discussing of
  domestic problems

6
Criticism Continued

• Critics argued that such imposition of Western
  culture was destructive of native cultures,
  religions, and languages and presumed a
  superiority that was not always valid
• Critics opposed both Social Darwinism and racism
  as lacking any scientific basis and said that
  they were simply justifying white domination