THE NEW IMPERIALISM, 1870-1900
PAST YEAR ESSAY QUESTIONS
No.
PAPER
ESSAY QUESTION
1
2
O/N 2001
M/J 2002
3
O/N 2002
4
5
M/J 2003
O/N 2003
6
M/J 2004
7
8
O/N 2004
M/J 2005
9
O/N 2005
10
M/J 2006
11
O/N 2006
12
M/J 2007
13
O/N 2007
14
M/J 2008
15
O/N 2008
16
M/J 2009
17
O/N 2009
18
M/J 2009
19
O/N 2010
20
21
M/J 2010
O/N
2010/(11/12)
22
O/N
2010/(13)
23
M/J
2011/(11)
M/J
2011/(12)
M/J
2011/(13)
How far did European countries benefit from imperial expansion in the late 19 th century?
Why did European nations become more interested in expanding their empires in the later
years of the 19th century?
Assess the effects of imperialism on European countries during the later years of the
nineteenth century.
What was ‘new’ about imperialism in the later years of the nineteenth century?
How important were economic rivalries as a reason for imperial expansion in the later
nineteenth century?
Explain the factors which attracted European imperialism either to Africa or to Asia in the later
19th century.
Assess the effects of imperial expansion on Europe in the later 19th century.
Why were European governments more willing to support imperialist policies in the later
years of the nineteenth century? (You should refer to developments in at least two of Britain,
France and Germany in your answer.).
Were the motives for European imperialism in the later 19 th century more aggressive than
defensive? Explain your answer.
‘Imperialism resulted in more problems than benefits.’ Assess this judgement on the effects of
imperialism on Europe in the later 19th century.
‘Political factors were more important than economic motives in explaining the New
Imperialism of the later nineteenth century’. How far do you agree with this view?
Explain the reasons why any 2 European countries were involved in the ‘New Imperialism’ of
the later nineteenth century.
‘The most important effect of the ‘New Imperialism’ on Europe was to increase tensions
between governments.’ How far do you agree with this claim?
Explain the problems European countries faced in promoting imperial expansion during the
later 19th century.
Why did imperialism cause rivalries between European countries in the later nineteenth
century?
How far did European governments support imperial expansion in the later nineteenth
century because of the pressure of public opinion?
‘The main reason why continental European countries were involved in “New Imperialism” in
the late nineteenth century was jealousy of Britain.’ How far do you agree with this
judgement?
Assess the problems that faced European countries in establishing colonies in either (a) Africa
or (b) Asia in the later nineteenth century.
Which was the more important reason for the ‘New Imperialism’ of the later nineteenth
century: trade or power?
Assess the results of ‘New Imperialism’ for Europe in the late nineteenth century.
‘Governments were involved in imperialism more for defensive than aggressive reasons.’ How
far do you agree with this claim about the period from c. 1870 to 1900? (You should refer to
Britain and at least two other European countries in your answer.)
Analyse the reasons why the possession of overseas empires was important to major
European governments from c.1870 to 1900. (You should refer to developments in at least
two of Britain, France and Germany in your answer.)
How far did European countries achieve their aims in the ‘New Imperialism’ by 1900? (You
should refer to Britain and at least one other European country in your answer.)
Why was there a ‘Scramble for Africa’ in the late nineteenth century?
24
25
Assess the problems that ‘New Imperialism caused for European countries by the end of the
nineteenth century.
26
O/N
2011(11)
27
O/N
2011(12)
O/N 2011
(13)
28
‘Few Europeans gained anything from “New Imperialism” in the later nineteenth century.’
How far do you agree with this claim? (You should refer to Britain and at least two other
European countries in your answer.)
How far do you agree that empires were more a luxury than a necessity for European
countries in the late nineteenth century?
Why did public opinion in major European countries give widespread support to imperial
expansion in the late nineteenth century?