1. Chapter 16 – Europe in the Late Nineteenth Century: Modernization, Nationalism, Imperialism
The New Imperialism

2. The New Imperialism
New Imperialism refers to the expansion adopted by Europe’s powers during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from the Franco-Prussian War to World War I (c. 1871–1914)
Imperialism should not be confused with colonialism
In the early modern period Europeans largely explored, settled, and traded with the rest of the world, but did not dominate it (with the exception of Spanish America)
The period is distinguished by an unprecedented pursuit of what has been termed empire for empire's sake, aggressive competition for overseas territorial acquisitions and the emergence in colonizing countries of doctrines of racial superiority which denied the fitness of subjugated peoples for self-government

3. Causes and Influences Desire of business to expand globally
Desire to glorify the nation
Especially true for the newly unified nations of Italy and Germany
Spurred international competition for new territory
Social Darwinism – the strong should rule the weak
The ‘Civilizing Mission’
Military and industrial technology

4. The Scramble for Africa
The most rapid expansion of European power took place in Africa
Little knowledge of African interior until after 1870
Disease; geographical barriers
Exploration and conquest of interior touched off by actions of King Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold formed the International Association for the Exploration and Civilization of Central Africa and sent Henry Stanley ( ) to the Congo to secure trading and territorial rights (Stanley had earlier become famous for his mission to the African interior to rescue David Livingstone, a missionary explorer)
The French responded by claiming their own territory beginning a chain reaction

5. Africa in 1890

6. Africa in 1914

7. The Berlin Conference
In response to growing tensions, Bismarck and Jules Ferry (the premier of France) called a conference in Berlin in 1884
They sought to establish a peaceful plan for the development of southern Africa
To claim a territory, they ruled, a nation had to occupy that territory
Granted Leopold personal rights to the Congo Free State; he virtually enslaved the population for economic gain (ivory, rubber)
Led to a rapid conquest with no attention paid to natural or cultural boundaries

8. Leopold’s Treatment of Africans
This 1908 English cartoon, "Leopold, King of the Congo, in his native dress," focuses on the barbaric practice of cutting off the hands and feet of Africans who refused to gather as much rubber as Leopold's company demanded. In 1908 an international human rights campaign forced the Belgian king to cede his personal fief to the Belgian state.

9. The British in (north) Africa
British interest in Africa began in 1869 with the opening of the Suez Canal
Gained control of Egypt in 1882 through occupation (promised to leave but never did)
The British added to their territory by moving against a Muslim war resisting them in Sudan
Led by Muhammad Ahmad Mahdi, captured Khartoum and killed the British general there, Charles Gordon
Resulted in a massive British response and the massacre at Omdurman (machine guns)
The French were also pushed back by the British at Fashoda

10. The British in (southern) Africa
British expansion in southern Africa began in South Africa (already a British colony) through the work of Cecil Rhodes ( )
Solidified British rule by acquiring Rhodesia and getting England involved in a war against the Boers
The Boers, Dutch settlers dating back to the 17th century, had moved north (the Great Trek, ) to avoid British rule
Established two republics – the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
Anglo-Boer War ( )
English won at great cost; Boers territories joined to British territory to form the Union of South Africa in 1910

11. Other Nations in Africa
The cost of African imperial possessions was high for most nations
Italians defeated at Adowa (1896) in Ethiopia ended their dreams of imperial expansion
Germans administered their colonies efficiently but gained little (Nambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Togo)
Belgian debacle in the Congo cost them more in terms of pride than it gained them economically

12. Legacy and Conclusions
The rise of the principle of self-determination
First seized upon by smaller European countries, now picked up by African and Asian nations
Resentment and suspicion of the West
Eventual discrediting of racism and western political dominance
Accelerated growth of global economy
Spread western ideas (languages, democracy, socialism, industrialization, modern science)