1. The Causes of Imperialism
In this lesson, students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:
Imperialism
Causes of Imperialism
Social Darwinism
Balance of Power
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2. Imperialism refers to the political and
economic control of one area or country
by another.
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3. Nationalism in Europe led to a renewed
interest in expansion. Europeans
conquered land in Asia and Africa
between 1870 and 1900.
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4. Despite the independence of the United States and Latin America,
European imperialism continued in
Africa and Asia.
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5. New European countries like Belgium,
Germany, and Italy wanted colonies.
In this photograph, an African is holding
a severed hand. In the Belgian Congo,
if an African did not supply enough rubber,
his hand was cut off.
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6. There were many reasons for this renewed interest in conquest and
imperialism. New technology – such
as steamships, rifles, telegraphs, and
better medicines- made it possible
to conquer the African and Asian interiors.
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7. There were economic motives for Imperialism. Europeans needed
cheap raw materials to keep their
factories busy.
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8. Nationalism was a motive. Europeans
wanted colonies to demonstrate their
power.
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9. European countries also wanted to preserve the balance of power among
themselves. When one country acquired
a colony, other countries felt the same
was necessary.
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10. Many Europeans believed in Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism was the
belief that some societies were more
successful because their cultures were
superior.
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11. Some Europeans and Americans believed
it was their responsibility to conquer and
“improve” the conquered peoples’ cultures.
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12. As European imperialists “carved” up
Asia and Africa, European missionaries
journeyed to conquered lands to spread
Christianity.
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13. While Europeans profited from imperialism, conquered peoples
suffered greatly.
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14. Questions for Reflection:
Define imperialism.
What was an economic cause of imperialism?
How did technology affect conquest?
Why did nationalism contribute to imperialism?
Why did Social Darwinism contribute to imperialism?
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