WARM UP:
Examine the political
cartoon of Cecil
Rhodes (a British
imperialist). What do
you think the artist
was trying to say
about Rhode’s role in
Imperialism?
INTRODUCTION
Refers to the political and economic control of one
area or country by another
Ancient empires were created by conquest (can
you name any?)
In the 15th century, Europeans created the first
overseas empires in the Americas
In the 19th century, European Great Powers
acquired vast colonial empires in Africa, Asia,
and the Pacific
THE BIG QUESTIONS:
What were the causes of the “New
Imperialism” ?
How did imperialism have different
characteristics in different places?
Was the overall impact of imperialism
good or bad?
CAUSES OF THE “NEW IMPERIALISM”
New technology based on
the Industrial
Revolution and military
technology:
Steamboat
Telegram
Railroads
Medicine
Rifles
Motives:
New countries wanted to
establish their own power
on the world stage
New resources and
markets to sell goods
The “White Man’s Burden”
– the duty of Europeans to
spread their culture to
Africa and Asia
IMPORTANT EVENTS:
Suez Canal: Completed by the French
in 1869, shortened the route from
Europe to East Africa, India, and
Asia
Berlin Conference: European leaders
divided unclaimed Africa among
European nations
IMPORTANT PEOPLE:
King Leopold – ruled the
Congo in the center of
Africa as his private
estate, and treated the
natives harshly
Cecil Rhodes – leading
British imperialist,
planned to build a
railroad from Cairo to
Capetown
HOMEWORK:
Complete the “Reasons for
Renewed Interest in
Imperialism” Chart