Imperialism

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914

To gain power, European nations compete for colonies and trade.

Nationalism

Europeans exerted influence over

the economic, political, and social lives of people they

colonized.

Europeans believe they must spread their Christian teachings to the world.

Missionary Spirit

Demand for raw materials and new markets spurs a search for colonies.

Economic Competition

Causes

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914

Europeans control land and people in areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Colonization

Christianity is spread to Africa, India, and Asia.

Christianization

Europeans control trade in the colonies and set up dependent cash-crop economies.

Colonial Economics

Effects

Europeans exerted influence over

the economic, political, and social lives of people they

colonized.

Forms of ImperialismForm Definition Example

Colony A country or territory governed internally by a foreign power.

Somaliland in East Africa was a French Colony.

Protectorate A country or territory with its own internal government but under the control of an outside power.

Britain established a protectorate over the Niger River Delta.

Sphere of Influence

An area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges.

Liberia was under the sphere of influence of the United States.

Economic Imperialism

An independent but less developed country controlled by private business interests rather than other governments.

The Dole Fruit company controlled pineapple trade in Hawaii.

Forms of Imperialism Continued

Imperial Management MethodsIndirect Control Direct Control• Local government officials used.• Limited self-rule.• Goal: to develop future leaders.• Government institutions are based on European styles but may have local rules.

• Foreign officials brought in to rule.• No self-rule• Government institutions are based only on European styles.

Examples:• British colonies such as Nigeria, India, Burma• U.S. colonies on Pacaific Islands.

Examples:• French colonies such as Somaliland, Vietnam.• German colonies such as German East Africa.• Portuguese colonies such as Angola.

The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire

Berlin Conference (1884):

European countries decided they could claim African colonies just by setting up government offices in African territory.

This set off a Great Scramble as Europeans rushed to colonize Africa.

Africa Before European DominionDivided into hundreds of ethnic groupsFollowed traditional beliefs, Islam or ChristianityNations ranged from large empires to independent

villagesAfricans controlled their own trade networksEuropeans only had contact on African coasts

I. The Scramble for Africa

Nations compete for overseas empiresEuropeans wanted more land

Contained large amounts of gold, diamonds, and rubber

Africa was a mystery to manyEuropeans who penetrated Africa were:

Explorers – seeking wealth and notoriety Missionaries – trying to convert Africans to

ChristianityHumanitarians – “westernize” the “savages”

The Scramble for Africa

Forces Driving ImperialismBelief in European superiority

RacismSocial Darwinism

Factors Promoting Imperialism in AfricaEuropean technological superiorityEuropeans had means to controlNew medicines prevent diseases

The Scramble for Africa

A Map of Africa (1914), showing the extent of colonization

"White Man's Burden": racist patronizing that preached that the “superior” Westerners had an obligation to bring their culture to “uncivilized” peoples in other parts of the world - Poem by Rudyard Kipling

Ideology: Nationalism and Social Darwinism

Germany and Russia especially used imperialistic drives to divert popular attention from the class struggle at home and to create a false sense of national unity.