1 1 Introduction to Imperialism

Slide Definition of Imperialism Process by which one state, with superior military strength and more advanced technology, imposes its control over the land, resources, and population of a less developed region

Slide What did this look like?

Slide The Rationale Think about the last two units (Revolutions, Industrial Revolution) - how did we get here? Nationalism - large colonies meant power Industrialization - vast access to natural resources and cheap labor Humanitarianism - Europeans thought it was their duty to civilize and uplift African people Social Darwinism - Survival of the fittest people

Slide Nationalism ( ) French Revolution and Napoleon spread nationalism throughout Europe Pride in one’s country was based upon industrial production, military strength, and size of empire

Slide Industrialization ( ) Increased population in Europe Great technological advances - military, transportation, and communications Continued economic expansion requires more resources and markets

Slide Humanitarianism Christian missionaries saw Africa and Asia as fertile ground for converts Cultural superiority - Europeans must “save” the rest of the world Must stop the Arab slave trade in Africa (still in practice in North/East Africa)

Slide Scramble for Africa Prior to the Age of Imperialism, Europeans only controlled port towns (except for Portugal who had two larger colonies) British took South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Gambia in the mid- 1800s

Slide Scramble for Africa Between 1875 and 1900 European control of Africa went from 10% to 90% Only two nations, Liberia (home to many freed American slaves) and Ethiopia remained independent

Slide The Berlin Conference Tensions began to mount between rival European nations Conference called in 1884 by Bismarck of Germany to defuse disputes and set guidelines for colonization

Slide The Berlin Conference Conference in Berlin essentially divided up Africa – no African representatives were in attendance (or were even invited) While dividing up the continent tribal territories and rivalries were not considered. Boundaries were drawn that divided tribes and coupled enemies together, leading to modern problems in Africa.

Slide Administrative Styles Colonies (Direct Rule) French, German, Portuguese European rule imposed Highly centralized No attempt to preserve African institutions Protectorates (Indirect Rule) British Governor appointed by British gov’t Local leaders advised by British Supposed to preserve African institutions

Slide Administrative Styles Spheres of Influence Local rulers maintain control of internal affairs Europeans control port towns China Company Rule European country grants economic and political control to trading company India (revoked later) Belgium Congo (terrible abuses)

Slide Competition for Asia British East India Company had long controlled large parts of India, but other areas were soon being sought after

Slide Competition for Asia Subjugation of Asia less violent and more diplomatic than in Africa (other than the French campaign for Indochina)