Download Source #1: Cecil Rhodes quotation

Imperialism Source Packet
Source #1: Cecil Rhodes quotation
Background: Cecil Rhodes was a famous British imperialist.
“We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain1 raw materials2 and
at the same time exploit3 the cheap slave labor that is available from the
natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for
the surplus4 goods produced in our factories.”
Use Text-Dependent Questions Handout to Answer
Questions!
1. According to Rhodes, why should the British find new lands?
2. Once they find these new lands, what will the Europeans do to these lands and the people living
there?
3. What does Rhodes want to do with the extra goods produced in British factories? Does he
actually want to throw them away?
4. How does this quote describe the causes of imperialism? Cite Evidence!
Obtain: get
Raw Materials: natural resources
3 Exploit: take advantage of
4 Surplus: extra
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Source #2: Cartoon of the White Man’s Burden
Background: The White Man’s Burden5 was an idea that helped cause imperialism. Whites
(Europeans and Americans) non-whites (Africans, Indians, and other Asians) were uncivilized. The
White Man’s Burden was the idea that whites had a responsibility to civilize 6 the non-whites. To do
this, the whites would have to teach them their religion, language, and ideas about politics and
economics. According to the Europeans, this was a reason to imperialize Africans and Indians.
1. The image describes TWO people: a
white soldier and a native. The soldier is
carrying the native. Why is a soldier
carrying the native? What does this say
about imperialism?
2. Where is the soldier taking the native?
3. How does this relate to the White Man’s Burden?
4. How can this image be used to justify Imperialism?
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Burden: responsibility
Civilize: educate, to make act correctly
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Source #3: Cartoon of the Berlin Conference
Background: The Scramble for Africa was the competition for land in Africa between European
countries. The Industrial Revolution spread to other European countries during the 1800s. These
countries started to need more natural resources for their factories and decided to imperialize Africa
to get them. They competed for land in Africa because they wanted as many natural resources for
themselves as possible. They didn’t want other countries to get them. This created rivalries between
some of the European countries.
During the Scramble for Africa the Europeans decided discuss their claims for land in Africa. At the
Berlin Conference, the Europeans divided up different parts of East Africa.
1. Summarize the meaning of the cartoon in two
sentences. Explain how parts of the image led you to
understand it.
2. How did the Berlin Conference influence European
imperialism in Africa?
Source #4: The Modern Traveller
Background: This poem was written by a British solider after his army of 50 soldiers beat an African army of
5,000 warriors. He is writing about the Maxim Gun. The Maxim Gun was the first machine gun. It was used
against the Africans during imperialism.
The Modern Traveler
Blood thought he knew the native mind;
He said you must be firm, but kind.
A mutiny resulted.
I shall never forget the way
That Blood stood upon this awful day
Preserved7 us all from death.
He stood upon a little mound 8
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Cast his lethargic9 eyes around,
And said beneath his breath:
'Whatever happens, we have got
The Maxim Gun, and they have not.'
Hilaire Belloc, British Writer
Use Text-Dependent Questions Handout to Answer Questions!
1. Were the Africans able to fight back against the Maxim Gun?
2. How did technology impact imperialism?
Source #5: “On French Colonial Expansion” a speech before the French Chamber of Deputies, March 28,
1884, by Jules Ferry (1832-1893): Ferry was twice prime minister of France, from (1880- 1881, 1883-1885).
“Gentlemen, we must speak more loudly and more honestly! We must say openly that indeed the higher races
have a right over the lower races ....
I repeat, that the superior races have a right because they have a duty. They have the duty to civilize the
inferior races .... In the history of earlier centuries these duties, gentlemen, have often been misunderstood; and
certainly when the Spanish soldiers and explorers introduced slavery into Central America, they did not fulfill
their duty as men of a higher race .... But, in our time, I maintain that European nations acquit themselves with
generosity, with grandeur, and with sincerity of this superior civilizing duty. I say that French colonial policy,
the policy of colonial expansion, the policy that has taken us under the Empire [the Second Empire, of
Napoleon 1111, to Saigon, to Indochina [Vietnam], that has led us to Tunisia, to Madagascar-I say that this
policy of colonial expansion was inspired by... the fact that a navy such as ours cannot do without safe harbors,
defenses, supply centers on the high seas .... Are you unaware of this? Look at a map of the world.”
Questions to Consider:
1. Who is the author of this piece of evidence? What is his viewpoint?
2. What justifications does he offer to support his viewpoint?
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3. Why might he be giving this speech? What is the purpose of the speech?
Source #6
King Leopold to the Missionaries (Document B) The following is an excerpt from a private letter written by
King Leopold to a groupof Belgian missionaries about to leave for the Congo in 1883.
“Reverends, Fathers and Dear Compatriots: The task that is given to you is very difficult. You will go certainly
to evangelize (covert to Christianity), but your priority must be Belgium interests. Your principal mission in the
Congo is never to teach the savages to know God, this they know already. They speak and submit to a Mungu,
one Nzambi, one Nzakomba, and what else I don’t know (all of these are native African gods). Your essential
role is to facilitate (make easier) the task of administrators and industrialists, which means you will go to
interpret the gospel (word of god in the bible) in the way it will be the best to protect our interests in that part of
the world. Your knowledge of the gospel will allow you to find texts encouraging your followers to love
poverty, like “Happier are the poor because they will inherit the heaven" and, "It’s very difficult for the rich to
enter the kingdom of God." You have to make them abandon everything which gives them the courage to
affront [resist] us. Evangelize the savages so that they stay forever in submission to the white colonialists, so
they never revolt against the restraints they are undergoing. Recite every day-"Happy are those who are
weeping because the kingdom of God is for them. "Convert the blacks always by using the whip. Source: Letter
from King Leopold II of Belgium to Colonial Missionaries, 188
1) What role does King Leopold envision for missionaries in the Belgian Congo (cite evidence)?
2) How are missionaries a justification for colonization and a method of colonization?
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What methods did Europeans use to colonize Africa and how did they justify
their colonization of Africa?
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You must use 4 of the six primary source documents. You may use more but only 4 are required.
Your Essay must be 11/2 -2 pages long
Use all of your notes on Imperialism and the information on pages 339-344 in your textbook
Cite the documents. For example, according to source 6 or as stated in document 3 you may also quote
directly from the documents.
Use the Rubric and outline to help you out
Essay Outline
Paragraph #1
Introduction: In three sentences give background information on imperialism think of the who, what,
where, when, why. Then write your thesis statement that answers the question.
Paragraph #2
Write about one reason Europeans colonized Africa (Raw Materials, Missionaries, White Man’s
Burden) and cite textual evidence
Paragraph #3
Write about one reason Europeans colonized Africa (Raw Materials, Missionaries, White Man’s
Burden) and cite textual evidence
Paragraph #4
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Write about How Europeans were able to colonize Africa use the documents and page 341 in your
textbook!
Conclusion Paragraph #5
Restate thesis differently
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