AP World History
POD #16 – New Imperialism in
Africa
New Imperialism
Class Discussion Questions
McKay – “Western Imperialism”, pp. 868-877
McKay – “Response to Western Imperialism”, pp. 877-882
Bulliet – “The New Imperialism: Motives and Methods”, pp.740-744
Historical Context
“Europe has a long tradition of imperialism reaching back to the
twelfth century. During the first two-thirds of the nineteenth century
the European powers continued to increase their influence overseas.
The New Imperialism was characterized by an explosion of territorial
conquests even more rapid than the Spanish conquests of the
sixteenth century. Between 1869 and 1914, in a land grab of
unprecedented speed, Europeans seized territories in Africa, Central
Asia, and both Europeans and Americans took territories in
Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Approximately 10 million people fell
under the rule of Europe and the United States in this period.
The New Imperialism was more than a land grab. The imperial
powers used economic and technological means to reorganize
dependent regions and bring them into the world economy as
suppliers of food stuffs and raw materials and as consumers of
industrial products. In Africa and other parts of the world , this was
done by conquest and colonial administration. The Latin American
republics, though remaining politically independent, became
economically dependencies of the United States and Europe.”
(Bulliet, p. 740)
What was New Imperialism?
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from 1880 to 1914 the Europeans not only
sent large numbers of migrants, money, and
manufactured goods around the world but also
rushed to create a larger political empire
 this led to tensions between the European
nations competing for territory and power
 new imperialism was focused on Asia and
Africa and was heavily influenced by race
What factors influenced New
Imperialism?
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conservative governments used imperialism as a means to
enhance nationalism and patriotic unity at home
new source of industrial resources
new market for manufactured goods
superior military technology made this process easier
desire to increase economic strength- create a large empire
where high protective tariffs and monopolies could be
exploited
colonies were seen as crucial to national security, military
power , and international prestige- it was believed that
colonies were essential for great nations
Social Darwinism- need to civilize the savage
Guns, Quinine, Steam power, and Telegraph
Special interest groups such as private companies desired
to make a large profit in these areas
Political Motives
The Great Powers of Europe were
determined to demonstrate their national
power and prestige through territorial
conquest around the world
 Naval Empires (Alfred T. Mahan, US
Navy) – argued that great powers
needed military installations around the
world
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Economic Motives
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Europe confronted an economic crisis between the mid1870s and the mid-1880s leading to demands for new
nationalistic economic policies and actions that would
protect business and industry from foreign competition by
securing access to raw materials and markets in the tropics
 The Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America
created a gigantic demand for minerals (copper for
electrical wiring, tin for canning, chrome and magnesium for
the steel industry, coal for steam engines, as well as gold
and diamonds for general wealth)
 There was an increasing demand for cash crops throughout
the world market (cotton, rubber, sugar, coffee, tea,
tobacco)
 Declining business opportunities at home prompted
entrepreneurs and investors to look for profits in Asia, Africa
and Latin America
What agreements were made at
the Berlin Conference?
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at this conference the Europeans agreed that
claims to African territory had to rest in
“effective occupation” in order to be
recognized by the other states
 this caused the Europeans to push from all
sides into the interior of Africa
 it also guaranteed that through this process no
one European nation would be able to claim
the entire continent
Cultural Motives
Religious – convert non-believers
(heathens) to Christianity
 Determined to abolish slavery
 Provide these regions with the benefits
of modern science and technology by
introducing Western education,
medicine, hygiene and monogamous
marriage
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What is White Man’s Burden?
Europeans should and could “civilize” the
more primitive non-white people
 Europeans believed that it was their duty
or “burden” to bring to these people the
benefits of modern economics, cities,
advanced medicine an higher standards
of living so that in time they might be
ready for self-government
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White Settlers
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“In the early years of the New Imperialism, colonial
administrations consisted of a governor and his staff, a
few foreign troops to keep order, and a small number
of tax collectors and magistrates. Nowhere could
colonialism operate without the cooperation of
indigenous elites, because no colony was wealthy
enough to pay the salaries of more than a handful of
European officials. In most cases the colonial
governors exercised power through traditional rulers
willing to cooperate. Colonial governments also
educated a few local youths for “modern” jobs as
clerks, nurses, policemen, custom inspectors, and the
like. Thus colonialism relied on two rival indigenous
elites.” (Bulliet, pp. 743-744)