IMPERIALISM

What is Imperialism?

Imperialism

– the domination of one country’s political, economic, or cultural way of life by another country or region.

Timeline of Events

1400 s –1700’s European countries sent explorers, missionaries, and traders to places they had never been before – Africa, India, Asia

Timeline of Events

1870’s – 1914 As a direct result of the Industrial Revolution European nations became involved in a new kind of empire building to expand their spheres of influence.

Known as New Imperialism

New Imperialism

 The period of New Imperialism took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the period of modern imperialism peaked between 1870-1930.

Causes of New Imperialism

Economic Causes

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Need for Natural Resources Desire to expand markets Desire to invest profits Outlet needed for growing population Economies strengthened by the Industrial Revolution

Political and Military Causes

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

Bases needed for merchant and naval vessels National security Nationalism Prestige and global empire Strong centrally-governed nation states

Social Causes

1.

2.

3.

4.

Desire to spread Christianity Desire to share Western civilization Belief in Social Darwinism Increased European self-confidence

Technological Causes

1.

2.

3.

Medical knowledge Advances in weaponry Advances in overseas travel

Reasons for Imperialism

Desire for Self-Sufficiency

A. After 1850 – Industrial Revolution created new sources of power, machinery, new industries, led to more goods produced.

Result

– Need for more raw materials – iron, coal, copper, etc.

Increase in demand for products in Europe that were not readily available ~ Coffee, Tea, Spices.

No one country had all of these things

Need for New Markets

After 1870’s – mass production, assembly lines, interchangeable parts, increased speed.

Goods in large quantities are produced in Europe and the U.S. cannot buy all of the goods that are produced New machinery must be used to full capacity in order to pay for itself.

Go to under developed regions find new outlets/markets

Investing Surplus Capital

Industry Owners = Great Wealth = Need to Invest In order to make more money $$$ they invest surplus capital Underdeveloped regions a great place to do this.

Outlets for Population

Industry causes people to move to cities, this leads to overcrowding of cities.

Greater amount of space and opportunities ~ U.S., Africa

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Nationalism

A strong feeling for one’s country, particularly strong 1870 – 1914 Having colonies meant power and prestige Colonies are a source of manpower – Army i.e. Senegalese – West Africa fought loyally for the French To protect colonies = naval stations, coaling stations, refueling of warships, merchant ships, make repairs

Major Imperial Players:

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2.

3.

4.

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Great Britain France Spain Portugal Netherlands

 Imperialism began when these countries began sending people to other parts of the world to find valuables such as gold and the hope of profiting from trade.

Types of European Ambassadors 1.

2.

3.

Missionaries Explorers Traders

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Missionaries

Religious authorities and the church had their own sense of Imperialism.

They sent out their own representatives known as missionaries.

Missionaries were responsible for bringing Christianity to the “godless” people outside of Europe.

Missionaries

    Spread the Christian Religion Educated Natives Built Churches and Schools Taught medicine, hygiene, sanitation

Explorers

1.

2.

3.

Hired by European Powers, to find things of value.

Made maps, made allies out of African Tribes Explored African Interior, river systems

Notable Explorers

David Livingstone Henry Stanley

   

Traders

Trailblazers who established contact with natives Established ports Acted as middlemen between Europeans and Africans Trying to get rich

White Man’s Burden

European attitude that people of advanced nations should help the less fortunate in the world. It was their responsibility to educate natives or “savages”. Bring religion, medicine and technology to various regions.

Rudyard Kipling

 Wrote a poem entitled

White Man’s Burden

.



Division of the World

During the period of Imperialism, European countries divided up the globe.

 Japan was the only non-European power that began building an empire.

Berlin Conference

 Otto Von Bismarck – Ruler of Germany calls the meeting.

 All European Powers send representatives, including the United States, to the conference in Berlin.

Reason to Meet

 The reason given for the conference is to discuss “the navigation and exploration of the Niger and Congo rivers”.

Real Reason

 Real reason for the conference is to divide Africa among the powers.

A Gift for a King

King Leopold is officially given the Congo basin.

One stipulation was that he must let in missionaries and traders.

Reason for Colonization

 Adding territories or “colonies” to its possession made European countries feel superior to their neighbors and gave them a sense of national pride.

Reason for Colonization

 The Industrial Revolution in Europe increased economic competition between nations.

Reason for Colonization

 Imperialism allowed European countries to expand their colonial armies, develop new trade partners, capitalize on cheap resources, consolidate state power and insure national prosperity.

Reason for Colonization

 European countries began to believe that having large empires would secure their status for the future.

The Rules of Colonization

 Claims on African territories will not be recognized unless inhabited by Europeans, eliminates spheres of influence.

Positive Effects of Colonialism

   Introduced modern forms of transportation.

Christian Missionaries built schools and churches Many African leaders attended mission schools

Positive Effects of Colonialism

   Thousands of Africans converted to Christianity Helped fight illiteracy Built cities, bridges, roads, industries

Positive Effects of Colonialism

     Introduced commercial agriculture not just grow food to live on, but grow food to make money.

Coffee-rice-sugar-palm oil-rubber Before, profits went to the “ruling” government Stopped tribal/ethnic warfare Helped fight diseases

Negative Effects of Colonialism       Exploited African labor Uprooted villages Forced labor Heavy taxes Took lands away Brutal punishments to increase production (whipping, torture, execution)

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Advantages Europeans had over Africans

Strong home economies Well organized governments Powerful armies and navies Superior technology Improved medical technology

Forms of Imperialism

Leasehold

Leasehold-

under a lease agreement. (like renting) Property acquired

Protectorate

Protectorate-

left in place).

country whose national policy is controlled by a foreign government (local rulers

Sphere of Influence

Sphere of Influence-

Regions dominated but not directly ruled by foreign nations. (exploitation)

Annexation

Annexation-

Acquisition of another state or territory by a larger country.

Concession

Concession-

Right granted to engage in activity for profit on grantor’s premises (helped avoid conflicts among European nations, like a trader’s license).

Colonies

Colonies-

A territory settled and ruled by people from another land.

Direct vs. Indirect

Direct Rule (French)

  Officials administer their rule.

Imposed their culture on locals.

Indirect Rule (British)

 Used local rulers as agents to govern for Britain.  Encouraged British education.

Imperialism in North Africa

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North Africa

North Africa Coast is made up of 4 Muslim States: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Libya and Egypt.

Algeria

Home of the Barbary Pirates

~ French complain about

the Barbary Pirates.

Algeria

The Algerian Ruler hits the French Consul with a fly swatter.

Becomes a national insult to the French and they use it as an excuse to move troops into Algeria.

Algeria

 Pirates raid and sink merchant ships and give France an excuse to intervene.

Algeria

 France invades Algeria to stop pirates and finds rich land; export farm products, wine and meat.

Algeria

 French take over the best land and develop businesses on the Mediterranean.

Morocco

   Very strategic location Control the Straits of Gibraltar Open to the Mediterranean

Morocco

   Good for Trade Re-supply Ships Time of War  Western border to Algeria  France also takes control of Morocco

Competition

 European rivalries flared in North Africa because of the strategic importance of the countries on the Mediterranean and proximity to Europe.

 France calls a conference in Algiers with other powers to determine protectorates.

Algiers Conference

     Spain ----- Spanish Morocco France ------ Algeria, Tunisia Italy -------- Libya Britain -------- Egypt, Cyprus, Sudan Germany ------- Gets Nothing, gets really upset until France gives them Southwest Africa

Tunisia

    Poor backward nation The leader constantly borrows money and is always in debt.

Britain and France both interested in Tunisia They strike a deal and France gets Tunisia, Britain gets island of Cyprus

Tunisia

  Tunisia situation brings out 2 characteristics of Imperialism: 1. Dangerous rivalry among European Powers 2. Using “loans” and “incidents” to justify adding territories

Tunisia

 The Suez Canal is sold by Egypt to the British because the Egyptians needed money.

 The Suez Canal gave the British a short cut for trade from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea in order to reach India faster.

Suez Canal

 This short cut gives the British a huge advantage over other European powers.

Sub-Sahara Africa

Belgian Congo

Explored by Henry Stanley (British Reporter/Explorer) Discovers Dr. David Livingstone in the jungle

Belgian Congo

 King Leopold II of Belgium annexed this territory as his personal property because he dreamed of controlling a vast African Empire

Belgian Congo

 Stanley signed treaties with the natives for small gifts, tricking them into giving up their territories to Belgium. When they refused he imposed brutal force to get his way.

Belgian Congo

 The most valuable resource in the Congo was rubber plants.

 These plants were harvested on large plantations and sent back to Europe to be used in factories.

Belgian Congo

 The Belgians set unrealistic quotas for rubber in the Congo.

 If the Africans were caught stealing, trying to escape or missed their quotas they would have their hands chopped off.

Belgian Congo

 Belgian Government took control in 1908 because of Leopold’s cruel treatment of the natives

Union of South Africa

Union of South Africa

First settled by the Dutch called

“Boers”

in 1632

Boers

 Similar to American pioneers wagons  moved inland in covered  Known as the “Great Trek”

Boers

 Fought against the Zulu tribesmen instead of Indians

Boers

 After gold and diamonds were discovered the British wanted the territory

Boer War



The Boer War was significant because it was one of the first European wars fought in separate country and with modern weapons.

Boer War

 The British prevailed in the Boer War and took control of South Africa.

Cecil Rhodes

 British Imperialist who became the Prime Minister of the Colony of South Africa.

 He had a grand plan for British empire throughout the world.

Cecil Rhodes

 Cecil Rhodes – British Imperialist believed that Britain should control all of Africa “From Cairo to Capetown”  He planned to build a railroad across the continent.