Download Intro. to Imperialism2

Introduction to Imperialism
The New Imperialism
What is Imperialism?
– The building of an empire - the
domination/control by a stronger nation over
one or more weaker ones.
The Age of Imperialism
 The period from approx. 1870 to 1914.
 The most common forms of rule were
colonies, spheres of influence, and
protectorates.
 Several factors caused European powers to
seek to expand their territory.
What is Colonization?
 The establishment of settlements outside the
mother countries borders ( hence the term
colonialism).
What is a Sphere of Influence?
 A region in which an imperial power exerts
considerable pressure on a weaker nation
politically and/or economically.
 The local govt. may continue to have a
limited say in the day to day running of the
country.
What is a Protectorate?
 A country that has its own government, but its
policies are guided by policies of the imperial
power.
 These would be countries that were ‘somewhat’
accepting of foreign intervention and might even
benefit from it. (ex. Military protection from
aggressors).
Nations engage in imperialism
for a variety of reasons:
 Economic
 Political
 Cultural
 Humanitarian
 Religious
 Technological
Economic Imperialism
 Businessmen and investors saw colonies as a
chance to make profits.
 Industrialists pressured govts. to acquire new
markets for their products.
 Tariffs walls were again going up in Europe, and
the idea of colonies as markets and sources of raw
materials became popular.
 Industrialists wanted to control the supply
of raw materials.
 Products that could not be produced in
Europe such as tea, spices, cocoa, and
bananas, etc., could be obtained from
colonial possessions.
Political Imperialism
 Colonies became important strategic points in matter of
diplomacy and international relations.
 It was hoped that colonies would add to the security of the
imperialist nation controlling it. Colonial possessions
provided overseas bases even more soldiers in case of
war.
 A countries’ strategic location also provided incentives for
colonizing it.
 The 19th century saw a major rise in nationalism and
competition amongst European powers. The desire for
status and glory implicit in empire-building became a
motivating factor. (‘A place in the sun’.)
Humanitarian Imperialism
 Along with the sense of missionary duty
typical to this era, there went a belief in the
duty of the “civilized” world to educate and
‘westernize’ people of other races.
 There was a genuine desire to stamp out
such things as slavery, “heathen” rituals
such as the practice of sacrificing.
Religious Imperialism
 The old belief that it is a Christians’ duty to
spread the word of God played a significant
role.
 When remote places like the interior of
Africa and the Amazon were opened up,
missionaries were confronted with vast
amounts of people in “need” of conversion.
Technological Imperialism
 the industrial revolution tended to increase Europe’s
imperialist tendencies.
 Vastly improved means of communication and
transportation made the world a smaller place; previously
remote lands were now more accessible.
 Improved weaponry, such as repeating rifles and the
Maxim gun (the first machine gun), increased the ability of
Europeans to quickly subdue native resistance.
 New medical discoveries made it easier for doctors to treat
tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria.
 Railways and refrigerated ships made it
possible for the imperialist powers to import
food from the farthest regions of their
empires.
 Machines of the Industrial Revolution were
“crying out”for the raw materials and the
ready markets that the colonies could
provide.
Social Darwinist Perspective
 During this period in history, Darwin’s theory of
evolution was very popular -Social Darwinism
was a theory (which Darwin himself had nothing
to do with ) developed from his ideas.
 It stated that civilizations, like living creatures, go
through an evolutionary process.
 European cultures, Social Darwinists believed, were the
most advanced on earth, and hence it became the moral
‘duty’ of Europeans to bring others ‘out of the dark ages.’
 If the white European nations had a duty to civilize Africa
and Asia, they should also govern and guide these people
until they could look after themselves, much as parents
must look after their children until they grow up. Such an
attitude is called PATERNALISM.
Review p. 161
 Recalling Facts
– All
 Chapter Checkup
– #1, 2, 4, & 5
 Relating Past to Present
 Developing Basic Skills
– #1