There were five main motives that drove European imperialism in the late 19th century. Economic motives included the need for raw materials to fuel industrialization and new markets to sell manufactured goods. Political motives involved gaining international influence and prestige. Military motives comprised securing strategic locations and naval supply routes. Cultural motives stemmed from beliefs of racial and cultural superiority. Religious motives originated from a desire to spread Christianity to new regions and convert more people.

1. Five Motives for Imperialism
#1 ECONOMIC
The Industrial
Revolution
encouraged
Imperialism:
Factories needed
raw materials &
colonies provided
these AND a market
for the goods made.
New markets for
trade
Cheap labor
#2 POLITICAL
-To protect
European
investments
-To build an empire
-Recognition as a
world power
-National pride - to
have the biggest
empire (hegemony)
-Competition with
rivals—get there
first
#3 MILITARY
National Security-to
protect the mother
country & the
colonies
Military strategic
position-allowed a
country to control
waterways & land
areas
Gas Stations-served
as refueling spots
for the navy
#4 CULTURAL
Social Darwinism-
strongest society will
survive
Racial & Cultural
Superiority-spread
the superior culture
Humanitarianism-
aid others--this was
hypocritical since the
REAL motivation was
GREED!
#5 RELIGIOUS
Missionary
Impulse-European
Christians felt
superior to all other
religions; felt it was
their duty to spread
Christianity to Asia
& Africa.
Missionaries
encourage
imperialism since
that provided more
areas to Christianize
more people!