Imperialism Notes

IMPERIALISM Extending a stronger country’s rule over weaker lands to demonstrate its political, economic and military power.

Background: Industrialization Empowers Europe By 1850, France, Germany and other European countries were challenging British industry Increased production result in the need to expand markets Manufacturers needed access to raw material The Industrial revolution provides the power, money and drive to expand Countries of Western Europe eager to be the best.

Motives for Imperialism #1 – Religious #2 – Economic #3 – Militarism/Nationalism #4 – Exploratory #5 – Ideological

MOTIVE #1 – Religious The desire to spread Christianity, protect European missionaries in other lands, to spread European values and moral beliefs, to educate peoples of other cultures.

MOTIVE #2 – Economic The desire to make money Expand and control foreign trade Create new markets for products To acquire raw materials and cheap labor To compete for investments and resources To export industrial technology and transportation methods.

MOTIVE #3 – Militarism/Nationalism The desire to maintain a strong military force and become the most powerful nation. To compete with other European countries To expand territory The ability to defend its territories and protect its interests. To gain prestige by winning colonies, and boost national pride and security. To occupy strategic locations that assured control of nearby areas

MOTIVE #4 – Exploratory Explore “unknown” or uncharted territory To conduct scientific research, medical searches for the causes and treatment of diseases For adventure, and investigate “unknown” lands and cultures.

MOTIVE #5 – Ideological Values such as the belief that the white race was superior, other cultures were “primitive,” Europeans should “civilize” peoples in other parts of the world. Great nations should have empires, and only the strongest nations will survive.

STOP – Mini Summary Picture ruling your own country during the Age of Imperialism. Using your own values, rank the motives in order from most important to least important. Then explain why for your first choice only in a brief paragraph.

The British Empire

“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire” This quote means that the British empire stretched across the globe

Types of British Colonies Protectorate- natives run the govt. but is overseen by an imperial nation Sphere of influence- an imperial nation has exclusive rights in a foreign country Economic Imperialism- a business/corporation controls a foreign country

Britain in India India was a British colony British East India Company controlled India India was Britain’s most valuable colony “Britain’s Jewel in the Crown”

Impact of Colonialism in India Negative: Britain held most of the political and economic power. Family farms were replaced with cash crops Reduced food production for the Indian people Positive: India had the world’s 3rd largest railroad network. RR helped modernize India’s economy. Sanitation, public health, and education improved

Nationalism Surfaces in India Indians wanted independence in the 1900s Mohandas Gandhi led the movement Passive resistance was used to encourage reform without using violence MLK Jr would use Gandhi’s approach to fight for civil rights in the 1960s MLK Jr called his version “civil disobedience”

Imperialism in China China became a sphere of influence for the western powers Western powers used military, political, and economic pressure in order to gain control in China The U.S. proposed an Open Door Policy in China

Imperialism in Japan Had been isolated from 1100-1860 Japan began to compete with western powers Japan began to build its own empire: Korea Taiwan

Review Industrialization The need for more resources Colonization of weaker nations Competition among European nations Military growth WWI