The Age of
Imperialism:
Introduction
and Causes
Roadmap
• Explain and define Imperialism.
• Explain the significance of the British
Empire.
• Explain the three main causes for
Imperialism.
Definition of Imperialism
• Policy in which a
strong nation
seeks to dominate
other countries
politically,
socially, or
economically.
British Empire
• At this time, Great
Britain was the
most powerful
country in the
world.
• Established
dominance over
much of the
world; footholds
in every region.
Causes of the Rise of
Imperialism
• The Industrial Revolution
(Need for Raw Materials)
• Nationalism
• Missionary Work
Question
• How did the people living in colonies
like being ruled by foreigners?
• How did the Europeans view the peoples
they were colonizing?
The Industrial Revolution
• As industrial revolution
progressed, more
complex items
manufactured. Need for
raw materials:
– Copper
– Tin
– Gold
– Diamonds
– Rubber
– Other Cash Crops:
• Result: Plantations
Nationalism
• Europe saw
empires as sign of
greatness power.
• Many Europeans
thought they were
better than
others; sought to
Westernize
other countries.
– This led to….
Nationalism, Ctd.: Racism and
Social Darwinism
• Racism
– Europeans
thought they were
superior to other
races; justified
control over them
• Social Darwinism:
– “survival of the
fittest” applied to
human societies.
Rudyard Kipling: “The White
Man’s Burden”
“White people
consequently have an
obligation to rule over,
and encourage the
cultural development of
people from other ethnic
and cultural
backgrounds until they
can take their place in
the world by fully
adopting “Western”
ways.”
Missionary Work
• Westerners hoped
to spread
Christianity to
help “civilize”
other peoples.
• Church hoped to
end the slave
trade.