History of imperialims

1. The Age of Imperialism (1800–1914)

2. Motivations for the New Imperialism
The Industrial Revolution transformed the West.
Advances in science and technology, industry,
transportation, and communication provided
Western nations with many advantages. Armed
with new economic and political power, Western
nations set out to dominate the world, building
extensive overseas empires in the late 1800s.

3. Motivations for the New Imperialism
1. Industrialization (Economy) - Need for
Resources Drives Further Expansion
2. Nationalism - Political and Military Causes
3. Humanitarianism – Europeans thought it was
their duty to civilize and uplift African people
Humanitarian and Religious Motives
4. Social Darwinism – Survival of the fittest
applied to human behavior

4. Nationalism
 French Revolution
and Napoleon
spread Nationalism
throughout Europe
 Continued by
German and Italy
unification
 Pride in one’s
country was based
upon industrial
production, military
strength, and size of
empire.

5. Industrialization
 Increased
population in
Europe
 Great technological
advances – military,
transportation,
communications
 Continued economic
expansion requires
more resources and
markets

6. Humanitarianism / Social Darwinism
 Christian
missionaries saw
Africa and Asia as
fertile ground for
converts
 Cultural superiority
– Europeans must
“save” the rest of
the world

7. Western Imperialism Spreads Rapidly
From about 1870 to 1914, imperialist nations
gained control over much of the world. Leading the
way were soldiers, merchants, settlers,
missionaries, and explorers. In Europe, imperial
expansion found favor with all classes, from
bankers and manufacturers to workers. Western
imperialism expanded rapidly for a number of
reasons.

8. Western Imperialism Spreads Rapidly
Vulnerable Non-Western States
- Ottoman Empire was weakening
- Tribal wars in West Africa
- Slave trade
- Lack of centralized government
Western Advantages
- Strong economies, well-organized governments,
powerful armies and navies.
- Improved medicine
- Bigger guns
- Europeans also played rivals against one another

9. Scramble for Africa
 Prior to the Age of
Imperialism,
Europeans only
controlled port
towns (except for
Portugal who had
larger colonies)
 British took South
Africa, Sierra
Leone, and Gambia
in the mid-1800s

10. Scramble for Africa
 Between 1875 and
1900 European
control of Africa
went from 10% to
90%
 Only two nations,
Liberia and Ethiopia
remained
independent

11. Scramble for Africa

12. Berlin Conference
 Tensions began to mount between rival
European nations during scramble for Africa
 Conference called in 1884 by Bismarck of
Germany to defuse disputes and set
guidelines for colonization
 Conference in Berlin essentially divided up
Africa – no African representatives were
invited
 During division tribal territories and rivalries
were not considered. Boundaries were
drawn that divided tribes and coupled
enemies together, leading to modern
problems in Africa.

13. Types of Imperial Rule
The leading imperial powers developed
several kinds of colonial rule. Each of the
different types reflected different goals for
their colonies.

14. Types of Imperial Rule
Direct Rule
- French, German, Portuguese
- Direct rule of locals
- Imposed culture on local lands
- Highly centralized
Indirect Rule
- British
- Advisors made laws but local ruler carried out laws
- Local rulers retained authority and reported to Britain
- Mixed cultures

15. Types of Imperial Rule
- Colonies – Territories under the sovereignty of
the metropole
- Protectorate – local rulers left in place but were
expected to follow guidance from European
leaders. Cheaper then setting up colonies
- Sphere of Influence – outside power claimed
exclusive investment or trading privileges. Mostly
seen in China
- Company Rule – Company gains political and
economic control over an area. East India
Company