Download Motive for Imperialism

Topic 15- The Age of
Imperialism
Essential Question- Why do people move?
15.1- Motives for
Imperialism
What is imperialism?
Domination by one country of the political, economic or cultural life
of another country or region
A strong nation takes over a weak nation
In the mid-late 1800s Europeans
would look to Latin America,
Africa, The Middle East, India,
Southeast Asia, and China to
expand their overseas empires.
The New Imperialism, 1870-1914
• The Industrial Revolution had strengthened Western Powers and given
them confidence.
• This led to aggressive expansion called The New Imperialism—
1870-1914 was the most active time of the Imperialistic activity.
• The Western Powers
included Britain,
Spain, Germany, Italy,
Russia, France, and the
United States
Motives (Justifications) for
Imperialism
• There were three primary motives for Imperialism:
• Economic
• Political/Military
• Humanitarian
Humanitarianconcerned with or
seeking to promote
human welfare
Economic Motives
• The Industrial Revolution created a booming industry that needed
natural resources and raw materials for manufactured goods.
• Natural resources: rubber, petroleum, cotton, cocoa, manganese
for steel and palm oil for machinery
• New factories were able to produce large quantities of goods, so the
Europeans needed new markets to sell in.
Political/Military Motives
• As new markets opened around the world, steam ships
were relied on to quickly transport goods. However,
the new steam powered ships needed safe ports to get
more coal and supplies. Both merchant and military
ships would access these safe harbors
• Nationalism also played a role in imperialism. As
European nations began to seize territories overseas, it
set off a race among rivals
British naval
bases 2011
Humanitarianism
• Many Europeans felt it was their duty to spread the blessings of
Western Civilization such as medicine, law, and the Christian religion to
their “little brothers” across the seas.
Humanitarianism
• This civilizing mission was enhanced by a
growing belief in the racial superiority of the
West
• Europeans believed in Social Darwinism- the
strongest nations would enjoy wealth and
success while others perished. The conquest
of weaker races was simply nature’s way of
improving the human species
• This idea promotes racism
Social Darwinism“survival of the
fittest” applied to
human society
White Man’s Burden
• In 1899, British poet Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem “White Man’s
Burden” to convince others to take up the “burden” of empire
“Take up the White Man’s Burden
Send forth the best ye breed
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need;
To wait in heavy harness
On fluttered folk and wild
Your new-caught, sullen peoples
Half-devil and half-child.”
-Rudyard Kipling
Why did Imperialism work?
1) Old civilizations were declining
including the largest empires:
a) The Ottomans in the Middle East
b) Mughals in India
c) Qing in China
d) West African nations
2) Western Civilizations had
industrialized and had:
a) Strong economies with well
organized governments
b) Medical knowledge to survive
tropical diseases
c) Superior gun power, such as
the Maxim machine gun
Imperial Rule
• New imperialism took several forms
• Colonies- ruled directly or indirectly
• Protectorate
• Spheres of influence
Colonies
• Colonies were run by a bureaucracy: governors, officials, and soldiers to
control the people
• Direct rule (France)- goal was to impose their culture on their colonies;
reflected Europeans’ belief that colonial people were incapable of ruling
themselves
• Indirect rule (England)traditional rulers remained,
but had little actual power
and had to be loyal to the
ruling country.
Protectorates
• Local rulers were left in power but they had
to accept the “advice” of the European
Advisors on issues such as taxes, trade and
foreign relations.
• Protectorates were less costly because they
only require a minimal military commitment,
unless there is a crisis or revolt.
Protectoratecountry with its
own government
but under the
control of an
outside power
Spheres of Influence
• Europeans carved out spheres of
influence in areas like China to
prevent conflict with one another.
• The United States claimed a Sphere
of Influence over all of Latin America
with the Monroe Doctrine to hold off
any European powers that might
compete with their interests
Sphere of Influencean area in which an
outside power claims
exclusive investment
and trading privileges
Review
The 19th century term “White Man’s Burden”
reflects the idea that
1. Asians and Africans were equal to Europeans
2. Asians and Africans would be grateful for
European help
3. imperialism was opposed by most Europeans
4. Europeans had a responsibility to improve the
lives of the colonial peoples
Review
British control over South Africa, French control over
Indochina, and Spanish control over Mexico are
examples of
1. nonalignment
2. appeasement
3. imperialism
4. isolationism
Review
In the past, European nations have conquered other lands,
made them into colonies, and controlled their economies.
This statement describes a situation that resulted from the
1. industrialization of Europe and the need for raw
materials
2. desire of Europeans to spread communism throughout
the world
3. European belief in human rights for all people
4. requests of developing nations for modern machines
and technology
Review
Which statement best expresses the motive for 19thcentury European imperialism?
1. Living space was needed for the excess
population in western Europe.
2. European leaders believed imperialism was an
effective method of reducing the number of wars.
3. Imperialism would benefit the economies of the
colonial powers.
4. European nations would benefit from some
aspects of the conquered nation’s culture.