IMPERIALISM: domination by one
country over another country’s political,
economic, and cultural life.
Similar to your scramble for furniture, European
imperialists scrambled and competed for
territory in Africa in the late 19th century (1800s)
 Became caught up in a
competitive race to claim
furniture
 You claimed furniture without
knowing how it would really
benefit you
 Industrialized groups had more
advantages and the other
groups tried to catch up
 We discussed the fairness of
the game
 European colonial powers
became caught up in a
competitive race to claim
African land
 Colonial powers claimed land
they had little knowledge about
 Industrialized nations had a
head start in acquiring colonies
and the other countries tried to
catch up
 The colonial powers met at the
Berlin Conference in 18841885 to divide up African
territory fairly.
Imperialism
The “New” Imperialism…
 1700s – 1800s
 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
Imperialism
Definition
 Domination by one country
over another country’s
political, economic, and
cultural life.
Industrial Revolution
and Imperialism
 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
Imperial Powers
 They had strong economies
(industry), organized governments,
and powerful armies
 Older civilizations declined in
power
 Middle East, India, Asia, Africa
 Western European Countries grew
stronger.
 European states such as England,
France, Spain, Belgium,
Portugal colonized the Americas,
Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia.
 England had the most colonies and
was the leading Imperial Power
(why?)
Forms of Colonial Rule
 Colonies- territory or country ruled
by a foreign power
 Protectorate – a country that
keeps its own government, but
under the control of another nation
 Sphere of Influence – a territory
in which an outside power claims
exclusive trading privileges
Forms of Management
 Direct Control
 Foreign officials brought in to rule
 No self-rule
 Used by French & most European nations
 Indirect Control
 Local government officials used
 Limited self-rule
 Used by the United States & Britain
Motives for Imperialism
 Economic
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Desire to make money
To expand and control foreign trade
Create new markets for products
Acquire raw materials and cheap labor
 Religious
 Educate & convert people to Christianity
 Political
 Nation’s desire to gain power & security
 Expand territory and compete with other nations
 Gain prestige & nationalism by winning colonies
 Exploratory
 Desire to explore the “unknown” – seeking
adventure
 Conduct scientific research, medical
searches
 Ideological
 Based on cultural values such as the belief
in superior races
 Europeans should “civilize” other people
(“White Man’s Burden”)
 Social Darwinism: only the strongest
nations will survive