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1800-1914
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What is Imperialism? The domination by one country of the
political, economic, or cultural life of another country or
region.
What prior movement enabled New Imperialism? The
Industrial Revolution supplied the technologies of
domination and created the need for large quantities of
natural resources.
What Continent experienced the most invasive effects of
New Imperialism? Africa was nearly completely dominated
by European powers by the end of New Imperialism.
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Economic Interests
o Industrialization had created a
large need for natural
resources. Examples include
rubber, petroleum, and
minerals such as manganese.
o New areas of control could
lead to new markets to sell
finished goods in.
o Colonies could support
Europeans who felt that their
countries were getting too
crowded.
 Political
and Military
o Politics
• A large global empire was
thought to improve a
nation’s prestige.
o Military
• Taking colonies could
prevent other nations from
having them, and growing in
power.
• Forward bases were
necessary to perpetuate and
protect trade.
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Humanitarian and Religious
Goals
o Humanitarian
• Many Europeans thought that
Imperialistic efforts would help
the less “developed” nations.
• Stems from the paternalistic way
that Europeans viewed those
that they Imperialized.
o Religious
• Many Christian missionaries felt
that they needed to bring
Christianity to these “heathen”
peoples.
 Social
Darwinism
o Herbert Spencer first applied Darwinism
o
o
o
o
to society.
This is the idea that if a culture or society
was stronger than it was “superior”
These apparent “superior” societies
became that way by nature.
Domination of weaker nations
accelerated the process of nature.
Overall, it was believed that this was
improving humanity.
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Weak Non-Western States
o African states had been
weakened by the slave trade.
o Middle Eastern and Asian
civilizations were in decline.
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Western Advantages
o Strong Economies
o Stable Governments
o Powerful Militaries
o Superior Technology
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Nationalist Movements
o Armed struggle to repel the
invaders.
o Strengthening values to resist
cultural domination.
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Protests at home
o Imperialism as the tool of the
rich.
o Immorality of subjugation
o Iron of more democratic
governments institutionalizing
inequality.
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Colonies – An area where a foreign power has established a
government that exerts direct control over the native people
and resources.
Protectorate – Allowing the rulers to be in power once they
agree to follow the advice of a Western advisor.
Sphere of Influence – An area in which a foreign power
claims and maintains sole trading privileges.
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Before European Conquest
o North Africa is largely part of
the Muslim world. It includes
the coast along the
Mediterranean and the Sahara.
o West Africa and East Africa
were also largely impacted by
Islam.
o Southern Africa was largely
dominated by the Zulus under
the leadership of King Shaka
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Explorers
o Explorers lead the way in mapping much
of Africa.
o Usually more concerned with geography
then the people that they met.
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Missionaries
o With the trail having been blazed
missionaries followed explorers into Africa
o They hoped to help the people of Africa.
o Brought Christianity, built schools and
clinics.
o Viewed African’s as children in need of
direction, very “paternalistic.
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King Leopold II
o Established a hold on the African
Congo
o Exploited its resources and people
mercilessly
o His actions pushed other nations
to begin staking claims
o Mutilated and Murdered
thousands of Africans for wealth.
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Berlin Conference, 1884
o A gathering of European
powers held in Berlin.
o This was a means of
avoiding war between the
powers.
o It established ground rules
for staking claims in Africa.
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By 1914 only Ethiopia and
Liberia remain independent.
o Liberia has support from the U.S.
as an ex-slave colony.
o Ethiopia defeats the Italians
• A Christian nation
• In the late 19th Century King
Menelik II emerges
• Unites the country under his rule.
• Modernizes the country with an
infrastructure
• Creates a modern army.