The New Imperialism 1869-1914

1
The New Imperialism 1869-1914

• Ch. 27

2
New Imperialism

• Imperial powers used economic and technological
  means to reorganize dependent regions, bring them
  into world economy.
• Africa- done by conquest and colonial
  administration
• Latin America- done by indirect means

3
Motives

• Political-
• desire to gain national prestige
• Acquisition of new colonial possessions/ colonial
  agents often sent troops first and informed home
  govts. later.
• Cultural-
• Exporting Western Civilization through
  Christian missionary activity.
• Imperialism gained popularity, racism, young men-
  opportunities for adventure and glory

4
Motives

• Economic-
• Industrialization of Europe and North America-
  stimulated a demand for minerals, industrial
  crops, and stimulants (sugar, coffee, tea, and
  tobacco)
• Entrepreneurs/investors looked to profit- mines,
  plantations, railroads in Asia, Africa, and Latin
  America
• Minimized risk by seeking diplomatic and military
  support from their govt.

5
Tools of Imperialists

• Industrial revolution made imperialism possible
• Steamships and the Suez Canal gave Europeans
  greater mobility and better communication.
• Quinine-prevent malaria
• Invention of breechloader, smokeless gunpowder,
  machine gun widened firearms gap
• VIDEO- MODERN MARVELS

6
Colonial Agents Administration

• Colonists applied modern scientific and
  industrial methods to their colonies that started
  to transform African and Asian societies.
• Some colonies retained traditional govt. some
  were administered directly.
• Cooperation of indigenous elite
• Traditional rulers
• Youth trained for modern jobs
• Women arrive, more racial segregation.

7
Scramble for Africa!
8
Egypt

• Egyptian khedives- expensive modernization
  projects
• Financed with high-interest loans form European
  creditors
• 1882- British sent army into Egypt, established a
  system of indirect rule to protect loan
  investments
• British worked to modernize Egypt
• Dam across the Nile- help agriculture/cotton
• Benefited only small elite
• Accompanied by Western ways conflicted with Islam

9
Western and Equatorial Africa

• West Africa- French built railroad from upper
  Senegal River- upper Niger
• Open interior to French merchants.
• France claimed northern bank
• Belgium- claimed area south of Congo River

10
Western and Equatorial Africa

• Berlin Conference on Africa- 1885 1886
• Lay out framework for how Africa would be divided
  up
• Occupation of Africa took many years, met with
  much resistance
• West Africa, new colonial power developed
  existing trade networks.
• Equatorial Africa
• Little inhabitants or trade
• Concessions to private companies that forced
  Africans to produce cash crops and carry them to
  nearest river or railroad.

11
Southern Africa

• Good pastures, farmlands, and mineral wealth
• Discovery of diamonds in 1868
• Led to the defeat of the Xhosa and the Zulu
• 1910- European settler created the Union of South
  Africa
• Afrikaaners emerged as ruling element in a govt
  that assigned Africans to reservations,
  established a system of racial segregation.

12
1914 African Imperialism
13
Political and Social Consequences

• Mixed feelings about European invasion by natives
• Some fought (Zulu, Ndebele)
• Ethiopia successfully defended itself against the
  British-1896
• Most tried to live as before, difficult due to
  colonial policies
• Imposition of taxes on Africans forced them into
  low-paying jobs.
• Womens property rights undermined
• Given to the head of house (a.k.a. the man)

14
(No Transcript)
15
Cultural Responses

• Missionaries taught practical skills (crafts and
  domestic skills) and western ideas
• Mission educated Africans started to critique
  colonialism
• Colonialism contributed to diffusion of Islam by
• Building cities
• Increasing trade
• Allowing Muslims to settle in new areas