British Imperialism

Imperialism• Control of weak countries by stronger ones through use

of military and economic pressures. • From 1870-1914, several economic factors made

European nations interested in colonization1. Rapid industrialization and a rising standard of living

created the need for more raw materials

2. Competition among industrialized countries led each to look for new export markets

3. Less developed countries offered a ready supply of raw materials and labor

European Motives: Racism

• Westerners thought their civilization was superior to the native culture

• Racism is the belief that one race is better than another• Many Europeans felt that whites were better than other

races

European Motives: Nationalism

• Also a major factor in imperialism. • Some nations wanted to gain colonies to show their

military strength. • The country that was the greatest imperial power in the

1800s was Britain.

European Motives: Social Darwinism

• Concept of survival of the fittest used to justify European imperialism

• Strongest country should survive, and the weaker ones would fall

Berlin Conference

• Europe feared race for colonies might provoke war.• In 1884, 14 nations meet in Berlin to lay down rules for

the division of Africa• Agreed any nation could claim any part of Africa by

telling the other nations and showing that it had control of the area

• By 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia were free from European imperial control.

Carving up Africa!

German Colonies in Africa

Three Groups Clash over South Africa

• Africans: Zulu chief Shaka creates large centralized state. His successors unable to maintain control, the British took over.

• Dutch: Settlers known as Boers take over and settle large plantations. When gold was found, the Boers tried to keep others from gaining political power. So British and Boers clash in Boer War, which British win in 1902.

• British: Successfully control Boer land, create Union of South Africa

Reasons for Europeans’ Success

• Superior technology such as Maxim gun, steam engine, and the railroads

• Discovery of quinine, which prevents malaria• Lack of African unity, and the playing of rival groups of

Africans against each other

South Africa develops Apartheid

• System where blacks and whites are separated; black made to feel inferior to whites

• Continues until 1993, when African National Congress received backing from many foreign countries who were disgusted with apartheid, and gained release of Nelson Mandela, who had been in prison for 27 years.

• In 1994, he became president of South Africa, later received Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring freedom to blacks of South Africa.

Was there any positive outcome of colonial rule?

• Local conflicts among African tribes reduced• Increased life spans and literacy rates rise

What were the negative outcomes?

• Artificial boundaries created • Exploitation of African labor and resources• Deaths of millions of Africans• Cultural annihilation• Suppression of democracy• Ills of capitalism drive many colonized nations to

sympathize with communism (Cold War)