The Age of Imperialism

I. The Age of Imperialism A. Imperialism = the policy of extending a nations authority and wealth by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political control over other nations. (Bully Theory)

I. The Age of Imperialism 1. European exploration during the 16th Century had led to the discovery of new lands. 2. The Industrial Revolution started a race to Imperialize these lands to take advantage of their natural resources, labor, and markets.

B. Nations competed for overseas empires, challenging Britain’s lead in Industrialization. 1. In the mid-1800s, Britain was the most powerful nation in the world. a. It’s factories produced more goods than those of any other country. b. The British Navy guarded the oceans so that those goods could be shipped safely to ports around the globe. c. British banks loaned the money needed to build factories, mines, and railroads worldwide. 2. By the late 1800s, Germany and the United States started challenging Britain’s economic leadership. 3. Faced with possible decline, Britain looked to its colonies for markets and resources.

Natural for stronger to dominate weaker Social Darwinism Applied Darwin’s theory of Survival of the fittest to competition between nations Natural for stronger to dominate weaker (with people and in diplomacy)

C. Nations competed for overseas empires C. Nations competed for overseas empires. Imperialism fostered rivalries. Other countries followed Britain’s lead and came to see colonies as necessary for their economic well-being. The French expanded their holdings and by 1900 France had an empire second in size only to Britain’s. b. Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy also attempted to build new empires in Africa.

The establishment of artificial boundaries in Africa by these European countries would lead to serious issues years later when Africa would regain its independence.

The Zulus

Southern Africa Shaka Zulu The Zulus In the early 1800s in southern Africa, an African leader named Shaka conquered and united tribes to form the Zulu nation. Zulu Nation Cape Colony Cape Town

Southern Africa The Zulus also fought the Boers (Dutch Farmers) as they migrated north from Cape Colony. Eventually, they also fought the British who tried to colonize Southern Africa. But they lost. The Zulus Zulu Nation Boers Cape Colony Cape Town

Southern Africa AFRICA Cape Colony European Territory In 1910, with southern Africa secure, the British established the Republic of South Africa and instituted apartheid. Apartheid – government policy calling for separation of the races. South Africa Cape Colony Cape Town

Europeans In Africa Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Portugal By 1914 Portugal Spain

Britain’s claims in Africa were second in size only to France, but included heavily populated areas with greater natural resources. British Territory Britain controlled Egypt because of its strategic location.

France was very powerful in North Africa, and later spread into West and Central Africa. The territory France controlled was as large as the United States. French Territory

Liberia and Ethiopia Independent Africans After the slave trade was outlawed, abolitionists in the United States promoted the idea of returning freed slaves to Africa. In the early 1800s, President Monroe helped free slaves settle in Liberia. The former slaves named the capital city Monrovia in his honor. President Monroe

Liberia

Effects of Imperialism Positive Results Negative Results 1. Unified national states created 1. Encouraged tribal wars by creating artificial borders 2. Improved medical care, sanitation, and nutrition 2. Created population explosion  famine 3. Increased agricultural production 3. Produced cash crops needed by Europeans, and not food for Africans 4. Improved transportation and communication facilities 4. Exploited natural resources: minerals, lumber, rubber, human rights. 5. Expanded educational opportunities 5. Downgraded traditional African culture  westernization

Effects of Imperialism European Imperialism by 1914 Britain France Germany Belgium Home Area (Square Miles) 94,000 212,600 210,000 11,800 Home Population (Millions) 45.5 42 67.5 8.3 Global Colonial Area (Millions of Sq. Miles) 13.1 4.3 1.1 .94 Global Colonial Population (Millions) 470 65 13

Effects of Imperialism European Imperialism by 1914 Region Percentage Colonized Australia 100% Africa 90.4% Asia 56.5% Americas 27.2%

Two non-European countries, the United States and Japan, also became involved in overseas expansion during this period. a. Both the U.S. and Japan were interested in East Asia. b. The U.S. was also deeply tied to Latin America.

Europeans viewed an empire as a measure of national pride. 5. Thus, the race for colonies grew out of a strong sense of national pride as well as from economic competition.

How did Africa and Asia lose? Europeans believed they were superior. 1. Following the Industrial Revolution, Europeans regarded their new technology (weaponry, telegraphs, railroads etc.) as proof they were better than other peoples. 2. Europeans believed that they had the right and duty to bring the results of their progress to other countries. (Social Darwinism)

E. Novels and poetry also glorified Imperialism . 1. One of the most popular writers of the day was Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). 2. Kipling appealed not only to his readers’ sense of adventure but also the their feelings of superiority. 3. He saw imperialism as a mission to “civilize non-Europeans” and urged his readers to Take up the White Man’s Burden. Take up the White Man’s Burden Take up the White Man’s burden Send forth the best ye breed Go send 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

After the age of Imperialism

Before the age of Imperialism