European Imperialism 19th century
What is Imperialism?
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The policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over
foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies
How and why did imperialism begin?
Ancient Imperialism
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Starting with Sargon, in 2340 BCE, the conquering of peoples began
What were the main differences between ancient and modern day imperialism
- The domination of European nations-later on Japan and the US over subject lands
in a larger world
- In ancient times, imperial powers used arms and/or force to conquer nations
- In the 19th century, it (imperialism) arose more based on trade, investment and
business practices
What accounted for the change?
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The new economic conditions allowed foreign powers to profit, and hence
influence
the native lands without taking complete political and military control over a
country
What is colonization?
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Originally colonies were formed to settle new lands; for a variety reasons:
0verpopulation, religious freedom, wealth etc.
19th century colonization focused on not just settling new lands. But
dominating them socially, politically, economically and culturally
Why did the conquer
They conquered for resources, to acquire territory, to subdue potential enemies, and
to gain glory
19th century: Who was during the Imperializing?
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European nations were craving up the map
What countries led this new wave of conquering?
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England, The Dutch, France
Where were they conquering?
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Asia, India and Africa
What event made imperialism possible and necessary?
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The Industrial Revolution
How and why did the Industrial Revolution cause imperialism?
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The mechanization of the industrialization caused a greater need for raw
materials
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Meaning: The need for resources for a variety of reasons led to the need for
19th century imperialism
What technology made imperialism possible?
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The introduction of gunpowder (in the 13th century) from the Song Dynasty
This led European countries to buildup their militaries
FOR EXAMPLE: muskets; by the 1880s Maxim guns (fired 11 bullets a minute)
1880 machine gun and gunboats; which enabled Europeans to easily conquer
enemies
How does this connect to the Industrial Revolution?
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The mechanization of products allowed counties the ability to mass produce
weapons
Factor in new innovations in transportation and communication
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In the 1830s with the rise of the steam ships militaries were better equipped
to patrol the seas
These naval ships were fully equipped with guns and they did not have to
worry about the direction of the wind
FOR EXAMPLE: As a result, The Nemis, A British ship defeated the Chinese
ending the Opium War (more on the war in the China notes below)
The advancement of canals allowed naval ships to patrol sea and oceans
It also cut transportation costs for merchants due to its easier access and
speed
FOR EXAMPLE: the Suez Canal (built in 1859-1869) The Panama Canal (19041914)
Railroads: also which appeared in the 19th century which helped
communication and transportation
Communication
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The steamships also sped up the ability to communicate between colonies and
mother country
FOR EXAMPLE: In the 1830s it took messages two years from Britain to
India; whereas by the 1850s the same trip took four months
After the opening of the Suez Canal was opened (in 1869); this trip took two
weeks
The Telegraph
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Telegraph wires were in use in 1830s but in the 1850s submarine cables were
used to help communication on oceans/seas; which allowed messages to be
transported from India to Britain in 5 hours
Motives for imperialism
Economic Motivation
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Some Europeans believed that imperialism was essential to their survival
Meaning: The mechanization created a need for raw materials
FOR EXAMPLE: The need for rubber made the Congo River basin and Malay
attractive
Copper and tin were also desired; which made southeast Asia (tin) and
central Africa (copper)attractive
Another major raw material was petroleum (the United States and Russia
supplied petroleum- along with southeast Asia (late 19th century)
Political motivation
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The European population was a concern in the 19th century and therefore
imperialism seemed attractive
In theory, some Europeans also thought that these new colonies could severe
as markets for manufactured products
Meaning: increased wealth for the mother countries
Some also argued that these colonies were essential to their strategic
interests both for political and military reasons
FOR EXAMPLE: Many of these colonies secured access to key waterways and
harbors
Cultural motivation
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Rudyard Kipling (an English writer) coined the phrase “White Man’s Burden”
as a justification for imperialism
What was White Man’s Burden?
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It was based on the idea that Asia and Africa were uncivilized civilizations,
and therefore European were doing these natives a favor by bringing political
and social stability to these regions.
Another justification was based along similar lines; missionaries used it as a
way to promote Christianity