Late Nineteenth Century
Imperialism
1870-1914
Objective
To understand the causes of European
imperialism of the late 19th century
To understand the extent of European
imperial expansion
To understand the consequences of
European imperialism for Europe and the
developing world
Definitions
Imperialism
“extending a nation’s influence
directly or indirectly over weaker areas”
Definitions
Colonialism
Taking direct control of an area and turning it
into a colony under a nation’s authority
Definitions
Nationalism
Belief that an ethnic group should rule itself
Belief that one nation is better than all the
others
Causes of Late 19th Century
European Imperialism
Economic
Causes of Late 19th Century
European Imperialism
Economic
Causes of Late 19th Century
European Imperialism
Three C’s of Imperialism
Christianity
Civilization
Commerce
Causes of Late 19th Century
European Imperialism
Political
Maintain the balance of power
• To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets
Status symbols
• Germany takes colonies to be like other European powers
Cultural and Religious
Belief in cultural or racial “superiority”
Desire to spread Christianity to “heathens”
To spread “civilization”
Britain
Largest colonial empire
“Sun never sets on the British Empire”
Britain
Largest colonial empire
“Sun never sets on the British Empire”
Colonies established to protect trading interests
in Africa and Asia
Two kinds of colonies
• “White” Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
South Africa) given self-rule
• “Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa) under direct
rule
France
France
Acquired Algeria in 1830
Took over Indochina (Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia) by the 1880s
Expanded into Western Africa in the 1880s
Took colonies to make up for loss of
Alsace-Lorraine in 1870
Germany
Germany
Bismarck originally opposed colonial
expansion
Unnecessary for Germany
Did not want to threaten France or Britain
Germany took colonies in 1880s for status
symbols
In Africa and Asia
United States
United States
Did not get involved in European affairs
Became colonial power after 1898
Spanish-American War
• U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam,
Philippines
Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend
influence into Latin America
Scramble for Africa
Europe had been interested in Africa for
centuries
Through the slave trade
Scramble for Africa
Europe had been interested in Africa for
centuries
Through the slave trade
Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s
European influence restricted to coastline
Technology allows Europeans to explore
African interior
Steamboats, Suez Canal, advances in medicine
Scramble for Africa
By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control
Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground rules for
European colonization of Africa
Scramble for Africa
Scramble for Africa
Consequences
Traditional way of life disrupted
Economic exploitation of Africans
European racism imported into Africa
Spread of European culture
Spread of Western technology
European Imperialism in Asia
European Imperialism in Asia
India
Britain trading in India since 1600s
• British East India Co. gradually took over parts of
India
British government gradually took over India in
the 1800s
• Sepoy Mutiny
 Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co. and
were put down by British army
European Imperialism in Asia
Consequences of British Imperialism in
India
British educational system established
Spread of English language
Railroads tie India together
Rise of Indian middle class
European Imperialism in Asia
China
European Imperialism in Asia
China
Potentially huge market
Closed to European trade until 1800s
Opium War (1840)
• Britain forces China to open trade to opium
By 1900, China divided into European “spheres
of influence”
• Parts of China under European control
Chinese monarchy seriously weakened
Reaction to Imperialism
Rise of Nationalist Movements
Reaction to Imperialism
Rise of Nationalist Movements
India
• Indian National Congress (1885)
• Group of middle class Indians begin to demand
independence (Mohandas Gandhi)
China
• Boxer Rebellion (1900)
• Nationalist Party
Conclusion
Different reasons for European imperialism
during late nineteenth century
European imperialism causes reactions in
Africa and Asia
European imperialism disrupts traditional
way of life and continues to affect the world
today