1. The Age of New Imperialism

3. Imperialism
A policy where stronger nations dominate the political, economic, or cultural life of weaker nations.
A new wave began in the 1800s. Original wave started back in the 1400s.
Born out of the new industrial society of the 1800s. Countries were richer and more powerful.

4. Map of Colonial Empires in 1914

5. Causes Economic Interests Political/Military Interests
Humanitarian/Religious Goals
Social Darwinism

6. Economic Interests The Industrial Revolution
Industrialized countries needed natural resources
Ex: rubber, petroleum, manganese for steel, palm oil for machinery
Also wanted new markets to sell factory goods to
Colonies were valuable outlets for overpopulation in home countries

7. Empire
Emigrants
Finished Goods
Colony
Raw
Materials

8. Political/Military Interests
IN’s needed naval bases around the world
Seized islands and harbors
Competition/maintaining balance of power
Empire = prestige and greatness
Ex: when France got colonies in West Africa, GB and Germany did too to prevent France from becoming too powerful

9. Humanitarian/Religious Goals
Many Westerners believed they had a moral duty to spread their “superior” way of life
Western technology, law, medicine, education
Also felt they needed to “Christianize” the “barbarians” in other parts of the world.
It was very ethnocentric…but…many well-meaning missionaries and doctors accompanied the imperialists
Two arguments: western advances did benefit natives; natives were denied their culture

10. Social Darwinism
Imperialism was based on feelings of racial superiority; this theory justified colonies.
Racism: the belief that one race is superior to others
Social Darwinists applied Charles Darwin’s ideas about natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies.
Imperialism was nature’s way of improving the human race.

11. What made imperialism possible?
Weakness of conquered areas
Africa weak because of slave trade
Lack of weapons/technology
Western strengths and advantages
Strong economies and governments
Powerful armies and navies
Superior technology
Steam-powered ships, Maxim machine gun (1889), repeating rifles, the telegraph, quinine

12. Forms of Imperialism Colony – direct control, most intrusive
Protectorate – local rulers left in place, but still under control of European advisors
Sphere of influence – exclusive investment or trading privileges
Economic Imperialism – most politically independent, but ldc’s indirectly controlled by large businesses