1. European Imperialism

2. Imperialism
Imperialism: the political and economic control of one area or country by another.
Past Examples:
Persia
Rome
European Colonies in 15th – 18th Century
The Roman Empire
What are the benefits to controlling the government and economy of another country?

3. Causes of the “New Imperialism”
1. Industrial Revolution Technologies
Steamboat helped reach the interior of Africa and Asia
Telegraph made communication across large distances possible
Railroad made shipping of goods and raw materials easier
Medicine made exploring new areas safer
New military weapons helped to control local people
Can you name another time in history when technology has promoted such a movement?

4. Causes of the “New Imperialism”
2. Economic Motives:
Industry needed raw materials
Industry needed new markets
3. Political Motives:
Demonstrates a nation’s power
Hoped to preserve a balance of power between European countries
4. Social Motives:
Social Darwinism: Belief that some societies were superior to others and should spread their culture.
Spread Christianity
The “White Man’s Burden” to civilize and tame the wild, heathen, native peoples of the world.

6. The British “Raj” (Reign) in India
During the 18th century Great Britain took control of much of India
Reforms:
Wiped out some old local traditions and customs
Built a railroad
Spread Christianity
Built schools and colleges
English became official language
The Indians liked some of the new changes, but resented the changes to their customs and beliefs
Britain tried to modernize India. Why did the Indians resent the British efforts?

7. The Impact of British Rule on India
Government:
Unified India under one government
Made English the official language
Economic:
built roads, railways, and telegraph
Hurt local cottage industry from British manufacturing
Health:
built hospitals
Introduced new medicine
Provided famine relief
Resulted in a population explosion
Social:
Indian culture was seen as inferior to British culture.
Indian workers provided cheap labor, working long hours for little pay
Was the British reign in India good or bad? Explain.

8. The “Scramble for Africa”
Between 1870 and 1890 most of Africa came under the control of a European country
1880 a revolt in Egypt prompted Great Britain to take over the country so it could continue to use the Suez Canal.
In 1884 the Berlin Conference divided Africa up among the European countries
By 1890 only Ethiopia and Liberia were independent
Explain this picture

9. Major Imperial Powers France: Belgium: Great Britain: Germany:
Central Africa
Northwest Africa above the Sahara
Belgium:
The Congo
Great Britain:
West Africa
East African coast from Egypt to South Africa
Germany:
Tanganyika
Cameroon
Togo
Southwest Africa

10. Positive Effects of Imperialism in Africa
Health:
Medicine
Improved nutrition
Longer life spans
Population explosion
Technology
Modern transportation (steamboat & railroad)
Communications (telegraph and telephone)
Economics:
Some Africans received an education
Some received better jobs such as administrators or in the army
Is the loss of the control of your government and economy worth the positive outcomes of that loss?

11. Negative Effects on Imperialism in Africa
Traditions:
Led to an erosion of traditional African values
Destroyed existing social relationships
Culture
African people were treated as inferior.
Africans worked long hours for little money in terrible conditions
Politically:
Africa was divided and led to continuing tribal conflicts

12. European Powers and China
Why Europe was Interested in China:
Large market for sales
Valuable raw materials
China had exotic goods Europeans wanted
China lacked a strong military. Europe forced China to do what it wanted.

13. The Opium Wars (1839-1842) Causes: Britain easily won Results:
Britain sold opium in China to get money to buy tea
China sentenced opium dealers to death to try and stop this practice
Britain declared war
Britain easily won
Results:
Damaged the Chinese economy
Created political instability in China
Britain got new trade privileges, giving Britain economic control of some areas (Spheres of Influence).
Other European countries wanted their own Sphere of Influence
Chinese people revolted against the Chinese rulers
British gunships pound the Chinese coast

14. U.S. Involvement in China
U.S. Open Door Policy: The U.S. proposed equal trading rights between all countries in 1899.
Truth is, the US wanted a part of the action.
Boxer Rebellion:
Chinese (Boxers) rebelled against foreign influence
Hundreds of foreigners were killed
European forces put down the rebellion
The U.S. helped to stop the rebellion with troops and ships stationed in the Philippines, but also stopped Europe from further dividing up China.
What does the rebellion show of how the Chinese people felt about foreign influence?
What was the U.S. main purpose in China?

15. Latin America Spanish American War:
Spain still held Puerto Rico, Cuba, and a few islands in the late 1800s.
Cuba rebelled against Spain in 1898.
In 1898 the USS Maine mysteriously blew up in the Havana harbor.
US and Spain went to war.
US won and received influence over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Would you consider the U.S. to be imperialistic based on the events in China, Japan, and the Spanish American War.

16. Latin America
Most of Latin America was economically dependent on the U.S. and Great Britain.
Panama Canal:
Shorter route between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Area was owned by Columbia.
President Theodore Roosevelt encouraged Panamanian rebels to declare independence in 1904.
The U.S. protected the rebels.
Took 10 years to build the canal
Used the Monroe Doctrine (1823) as a basis for protecting the canal.
Roosevelt said “Walk softly and carry a big stick.” How does this statement relate to the Panama Canal situation.