1. Imperialism: Europe Reaches Out

2. European Imperialism
Imperialism refers to the political and economic control of one area or country by another
In the 15th century, European nations developed the first overseas empires in the Americas
The independence of the United States and Latin America represented a great setback for European Imperialism
In the 19th century (1800’s), the European Great Powers suddenly acquired vast colonial empires in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

4. The “New Imperialism”
At the end of the 18th century, imperialism appeared to be on the decline.
The loss of their empires in the Americas led countries to question the value of Imperialism
From , almost every corner of the Earth came to be claimed by European powers.
The world was carved up among the European Powers

5. Causes of “New Imperialism”
New technological developments, based on the Industrial Revolution mad the “New Imperialism” possible.
The steamboat made it possible to go upstream, reaching the interior of Africa and other places previously too difficult to reach
The telegram made it possible to communicate with new settlements deep in the interior regions of Africa and Asia
Railroads allowed imperial powers to ship goods and raw materials to and from their colonies
New medicines and better understanding of disease allowed for the exploration of the tropics with less risk
Military technology, like rifles, could be used to control local people

7. Motives for “New Imperialism”
New countries such as Belgium, Germany, and Italy sought colonial empires of their own to establish their power on the world stage
Old Powers like Britain and France aimed to reassert their power
European powers were also anxious to preserve the “balance of power”
They wanted to obtain natural resources and markets to sell their goods, as well.

8. Recapping Reasons for Renewed Interest in Imperialism
Technology
New technology—such as steamships, rifles, telegraphs, & better medicines—made it possible to reach further, impose their will, coordinate better, and do so safely
Economic Motives
European industries needed raw materials to keep their factories busy. Industrialists sought new markets in which to sell ther manufactured goods
Political Motives
Europeans wished to acquire colonies to demonstrate their power and to preserve the balance of power among themselves. When one country obtained a new colony, others felt the need to do the same.
Social Motives
Many Europeans believed in Social Darwinism & felt it was their duty to conquer and civilize “lesser people”
Some Europeans justified their actions with spreading Christianity

9. Social Darwinism Darwinism- “Survival of the Fittest”
Darwin’s theory of Evolution was introduced in the mid-1800’s and stated that some species survive, while others die off, because those surviving species were more advanced, fit, and well equipped to survive
Social Darwinism—the theory that some societies were more successful because their cultures were superior.
This theory applied Darwin’s theory to humans based on social and ethnic characteristics
It was used to justify racism and Imperialism in the 19th Century

11. Social Darwinism “Take up the White Man’s burden—
Send for the best ye breed—
Go, bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need;
To wait, in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild—
Your new-caught sullen peoples,
Half devil and half child…”
--Rudyard Kipling, 1899

12. British Imperialism: India
Britain defeated India, during the 18th century, and extended their control over the Indian subcontinent
Next they seized Egypt to protect the Suez Canal , which provided the shortest route from Britain to India
British rule brought many changes to India
They outlawed the ritual of a wife committing suicide when their husband’s died
The first railway in India was built in 1853
India, which was made up of Muslims and Hindus, began to have Christian missionaries descend upon them
Despite the progress Britain often brought, Indians still resented the challenge to their traditional ways.

13. Sepoy Mutiny
The British were able to control India because Indians were divided among themseves
The British had better weapons and used trained Indian soldiers, known as “Sepoys”
In 1857, a large number of Sepoys rebelled, but the British crushed the revolt using loyal Indian soldiers
After the mutiny, the British took formal control of India and India officially became a British possession

14. Impact of British Rule on India
Government
The British provided a single system of law and government, which unified India
They provided jobs, increased educational opportunities, and introduced English as a unifying language
Economic
The British built roads, bridges, and railroads and set up telegraph wires. However, India’s cottage industries were hurt by competition with Britain’s manufactured goods
Health
The British built hospitals, introduced medicines, and provided famine relief. Health care improvements led to a population explosion
Social
Indians were looked down upon by the British and Indian workers were seen as a source of inexpensive labor

15. Other British Colonies
Britain also held several other colonies outside India.
It took Cape Colony, on the tip of South Africa, several islands in the West Indies, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore

16. Other European Colonies
France
Colonies in the West Indies
Colonies in West Africa and India
Indochina
Spain
Philippines
Cuba
Puerto Rico