2. What is Imperialism?
The takeover of a country or territory by a stronger
nation with the intent of dominating the political,
economic and social life of the people.
Imperialism was a legacy of the Industrial Revolution
European nations needed new sources of raw materials and new
markets for their products.
3. Reasons for Imperialism
Racism
People of these nations believed they were better than the people of
the countries they colonized, because of their superior technological
advances.
Social Darwinism
A social theory of the time “survival of the fittest”
It came from the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin.
Non-Europeans were considered to be on a lower scale of cultural
and physical development. Evidenced by their lack of technological
developments.
Nationalism and Economics
Competition amongst European nations .
4. Forces of Imperialism
Interests
The British East India Company took control of India in the
late 1700’s
1860 – Dr. David Livingston travelled to Africa’s interior.
Reporter Henry Stanley sent back news of Africa’s rich
interior.
These encounters led to treaties between Belgium and local
chiefs in the Congo River Valley.
Inventions
Maxim Gun
Steam Ships
Railroads
Cure for Malaria (quinine)
5. Africa Before Imperialism
Hundreds of Ethnic and linguistic groups scattered
across the Continent
Political divisions were based on ethnic or tribal
lines.
Some Africans converted to Islam or Christianity.
Europeans had contact with Africa but controlled
very little area. (mostly along the coasts)
6.
7. Scramble for Africa
A process of invasion, attack, occupation, and
annexation of African territory by European powers.
Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
A meeting of rival European Nations
to set the rules for the division of Africa
No African ruler attended these meetings
8.
9. Imperial Rule
Indirect Control
Local leaders rule under the guidance of a colonial governor.
Common practice in most British colonies
The U.S. also practiced indirect control over its colonies.
Direct Control
France and other European nations preferred this practice.
Viewed Africans as children unable to handle leadership.
Paternalism
Governing in a fatherly way
Assimilation
Absorb the local population into ruling culture.
11. Legacies of European Imperialism
Positives
Improved sanitation
Introduced new technologies
Negatives
Africans lost control of their lands
New diseases (smallpox)
Breakdown of traditional culture
Loss of homes and property
Artificial boundaries that combined groups of different ethnic,
religious or linguistic background.
Division of kinship groups across colonies
13. The Monroe Doctrine
The U.S. promised to
help defend countries in
the Americas from
European conquest.
President James Monroe
“ the American continents
… are henceforth not to be
considered a subject for
future colonization by
European powers”
14. The Spanish American War Hawaii
1898 American joined Cuba in
their fight for Independence
from Spain.
Acquired Philippines, Puerto
Rico and Guam
Filipinos rejected American
rule.
America upgraded the
infrastructure but exploited the
Filipino’s economically.
Hawaii had prosperous sugar
plantations that were owned by
Americans.
In 1893 Queen Liliuokalani was
overthrown.
Wealthy planter Stanford B.
Dole became President of Hawaii
In 1898 the Republic of Hawaii
was annexed by the United
States
U.S. Acquires the Pacific Islands
15. United States and
Latin America
After the Spanish-American
War the U.S. controlled
Cuba by indirect rule.
The U.S. extended its influence on American trading
with the construction of the Panama Canal.
Supported Panamanian Independence from Colombia
Panama gave the U.S the 10mile wide zone to build the canal a
sign of gratitude.
The canal was opened to ships from all nations but the U.S.
controlled the toll-gate.
16. Roosevelt Corollary
Theodore Roosevelt
U.S is “an international
police power” in the
western hemisphere.
The U.S. used this many
times to justify
intervention in Latin
American countries with
troops occupying some
areas for many years
17. China
China made more from export
of tea than they spent on
imports.
To offset the imbalance the
British introduce Opium a
habit forming narcotic.
Opium War
The Chinese could not with stand
the more advanced British Navy.
Treaty of Nanjing gave the British
control of Hong Kong.
Chinese Nationalism
The loss of power encouraged the
people to demand more reforms.
Boxer Rebellion
When the Qing officials failed to
respond the peasant rebelled.
18. Japan Modernizes
For years Japan was shut off from the rest of the world.
Treaty of Kanagawa
In 1854 under threat from the U.S. Navy Japanese leaders
opened the country to trade with foreign nations.
The Meiji Era
Overthrow of the shogun
Emperor Mutsuhito encouraged a sense of Nationalism
Sent statesmen to Europe and America to study
Adopted American system of universal public education
Modernized their military
