Imperialism: Europe Reaches Out

1850-1914

ImperialismDefinition: The political &

economic control of one area or country by another.

(Weaker nations controlled by stronger nation)

•British were able to control India because Indians were divided among themselves.•British had better weapons.•Indians trained by British were called “sepoys”.•Sepoys rebelled and British crushed revolt.•Queen Victoria of England became the Empress of India.

Sepoy Mutiny (1857)

British Invasion

Government –Britain unified India creating single system of law and language. (English)

Health-built hospitals, introduced new medicines, and provided famine relief.

Impact of British Rule in India

New Imperialism- new technological developments

Technology:

steamsh

ips, rifles,

telegraphs,

better medicin

es

Economic Motives: European industries

needed raw

materials and new markets to sell goods.

Political Motives: Europeans wished

to acquire colonies

to demonstrate their power.

Social Motives: (Social

Darwinism) theory

that societies

were more

successful because

their cultures

were superior.

“White Man’s Burden”- the duty of Europeans to spread their culture to areas

of Africa and Asia.“Take up the White Man’s Burden-Send forth the best ye breed-Go, bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives’ need;To wait, in heavy harness,On fluttered flock and wild-Your new-caught sullen peoples,Half devil and half child…..

-Ruyard Kipling, 1899

Scramble for Africa(1870-1890)

•A time period of twenty years where European powers gained control of most of Africa.

King Leopold II• Ruler of Belgium • He ruled the Congo

in the center of Africa as his private estate. • He killed millions to

increase production on his rubber plantations.

Suez CanalA man made Canal that cuts through Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. This provided the shortest route from Britain to India.

Legacy of Imperialism in AfricaPositive Effects

• Medicine, better nutrition increased life-span (ppl live longer).

• Modernization of transportation and communications: railroads, telephones.

• Improved education and greater economic opportunities.

Negative Effects• Erosion of traditional

African values and loss of social relationships.

• African peoples treated as inferior and worked long hours for low pay.

• Europeans divided Africa, ignoring tribal differences.

Analyze this political cartoon.

“Spheres of influence”- areas of China under exclusive European economic

control.

Latin America• Spanish American War- U.S. defeats Spain and

acquires its first colonies: Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba and the Philippines.

• Panama- declared independence from Colombia (1904). Rights given to U.S. to dig a canal.

• The Panama Canal-– A man made canal cut through the isthmus in

Panama connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

– Shortest route from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ships no longer have to sail around the tip of S. America

Panama Canal

Monroe Doctrine (1823)• Protection of canal became an

important priority for U.S.• American Presidents repeatedly sent

armed forces to intervene in the Caribbean area in the early 20th Century.• It was a warning to other countries to

stay out of U.S. backyard. (Colonies)