The “New” Imperialism…
 late 1700s – early 1900s
 different from earlier explorers in 1500s – 1600s
(like in North & South America)
 New imperialists wanted to have significant influence over the lives of the colonized peoples
 Led to an extreme competition to see who would become the new world powers

Definition
 Domination by one country over another country’s political, economic, and cultural life.

 Industrialized countries needed raw materials such as cotton, coal, iron, oil, copper, rubber
 They also needed foreign markets to sell goods
 Needed to control a region/country to protect raw materials & markets

American Imperialism
(Late 1800s – early 1900s)
 Controversial because of American ideals
 U.S. was slow to imperialize (many locations had already been colonized)
 Eventually we needed to actively protect
& promote our economic & political interests
 Policy pursued by President’s McKinley,
Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson.

Motives for Imperialism
 Economic
 Desire to make money
 To expand and control foreign trade
 Create new markets for products
 Acquire raw materials and cheap labor
 Global Competition
 Nation’s desire to gain power & security
 Expand territory and compete with other nations
 Gain prestige by winning colonies
 Prove military strength

 Ideological
 Based on the belief in superior races
 Need to “ civilize ” other people (“ White
Man’s Burden ”)
 Social Darwinism: only the strongest nations will survive
 Responsibility to spread Christianity & our culture to inferior peoples

 Coloniesterritory owned & ruled by a foreign power
 Protectorate – a country that keeps its own government, but under the protection of another nation
 Sphere of Influence – a territory in which an outside power claims exclusive trading privileges