AGE OF IMPERIALISM

I. Imperialism-The policy by a stronger nation to attempt to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

How did the Industrial Revolution lead to Age of Imperialism?

Japan Changes Direction During the

Meiji Era: 1868 - 1912

Commodore Matthew Perry

1853 – Commodore Matthew Perry

“Opens Up” Japan to Western Trade!

Japan Learns a Lesson!In 1862, just before the start of the Meiji period, Tokugawa sent officials and scholars to China to study the situation there. A Japanese recorded in his diary from Shanghai…

The Chinese have become servants to the foreigners. Sovereignty may belong to China but in fact it's no more than a colony of Great Britain and France.

Expansionism& the Rise of Military Power

New players on the block?

Japan Annexes Korea

Competition from Another “Pacific” Power Is on the

Horizon

The sun never sets on the British Empire”

II. Motives for Imperialism

A. Economic Motives-

Economic Motives included:

Raw materials such as rubber, tin, copper, petroleum

Colonies were potential markets for industrial products

B. Nationalism Nationalism- Intense

pride in your country or aspiring your sovereignty

“All great nations in the fullness of their strength have the desire to set their mark upon barbarian lands and those who fail to participate in this great rivalry will play a pitiable role in the time to come.”-A German historian

C. Social Darwinism/Racism

Social Darwinism- only societies that moved aggressively to adapt changing circumstances would survive and prosper. “ Survival of the fittest”

D. Humanitarian or religious motives“White mans

burden” to civilize society, Rudyard Kipling's poem

To bring Christianity to the “heathens”

Examples of humanitarian motives

Bring western democracy, capitalism, & Christianity to the “primitive people

Ghost Dance A cult that tried to call

the spirits of past warriors to inspire the young braves to fight. It was crushed at the Battle of Wounded Knee after spreading to the Dakota Sioux. The Ghost Dance led to the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887. This act tried to reform Indian tribes and turn them into "white" citizens. It did little good

Great Britain-

France Germany USA

India, Canada, Australia, Egypt, Nigeria, Burma

Crash Course