The New Imperialism (ca ) Motivations? Means? Justifications? Consequences? Big Picture Questions: 6,500,000 square miles ,655,000 square miles European ExpansionYears European Powers’ ControlYear 11% of African continent % of African continent1905
The New Imperialism (ca ) Why? (Motives?) How? (Means?) Economic : raw materials, protected markets, global investments Political : appealing issue to voters, nationalist competition, strategic advantage Religious : Christian missionary zeal African exploration ( ) Quinine (1850s+) Breech-loader rifle(1870s+) Steamship(1820s+)
The Four Feathers (2002) Historical Background In the early 1880s a religious leader in Sudan proclaimed himself the Mahdi (“expected one”) and began unifying the tribes of central & western Sudan. The Mahdi led a nationalist revolt against British-Egyptian rule culminating in the fall of Khartoum in Attempting to end the slave trade in the region, the British finally defeated the Mahdi’s successor at the Battle of Omdurman in The British were also protecting their interest in the Suez Canal and against French presence in the area.KhartoumBattle of Omdurman Suez Canal