1. Warmup 4/17
What factors allowed Western countries to imperialize other countries during the Great Divergence?
Why do you think the West chose to build empires during the Great Divergence?

2. Motives for Imperialism
The West’s motivation for imperialism falls into two categories:
Economic/Political
Social

3. Assignment: Economic Motives
Grab the half sheet from the back.
Grab the full sheet reading. (This is a CLASS SET)
Read the documents and answer the questions on the half sheet.
Done in 20 minutes

4. Notes: Motives for Imperialism
The West’s motivation for imperialism falls into two categories:
Economic/Political
Social

5. Notes: Correcting Misconceptions
Empires aren’t free money.
In fact, Britain lost more money on its empire than it gained from
Only a handful of imperial holdings actually made money for the government.

6. Notes: Who got rich? Empires weren’t profitable for the government.
They WERE profitable to businesses.
Many made millions exploiting local economies.
These were the people who pushed to continue the empires.

7. Notes: Motivations
European Imperialism was driven by a 5 main economic/political goals:
Protect their companies’ interests
Gain raw resources
Gain access to markets of customers
Show the glory of their nation
Gain strategic positions like ports, bases, and coaling stations

8. Notes: Economics
Countries that were conquered became captive markets: they could only buy goods from companies in the empire.
Most were turned into Extractive Economies, where their whole economy was shaped into producing resources that would be shipped back to Europe.

9. Notes: Politics Empires were seen as a measure of a country’s success.
Europe was very nationalistic and each country wanted to show they were the best.
Meanwhile, it was important to have naval bases where your ships could station and refuel on coal.