Imperialism ?Imperialism ?

im·pe·ri·al·ism

noun: imperialisma policy of extending a country's power and

influence through diplomacy or military

force.

Imperialism? Imperialism? The seizure or take-over of a country or

territory by a more powerful country.

WHY?

Take Over World

Get Rich

Resources

Examples of Imperialism • On your own, think of two

examples of Imperialism you know of.

• Get with a partner and share your examples.

The setting for the new imperialism was Africa and Asia, from approximately 1870 to 1960.

The leaders of the new imperialism were Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

New Conquests

B

F

G

I

B

Several important factors led to the new imperialism.

1. Militarism

A nation with more colonies had more power, security, trade, money, and colonial men for their army.

Military power was commonly used to achieve a nation’s goals. Resupply ports were needed along the west and east coasts of Africa.

2. Industrialization

Industrialists needed more raw materials to supply their factories, and foreign markets where they could sell their finished products.Industrialists also needed places to invest their profits, which would multiply their riches.

3. Nationalism

National pride led many nations to strive for a world empire.Most Europeans felt their nationality was superior to that of the Africans and Asians.The English boasted, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.”Kaiser Wilhelm wanted Germany to have its “place in the sun.”

“The Sun never sets on the British Empire”

4. Religion

Christian missionaries wanted to help Africans and Asians, and worked to carry the “White Man’s Burden,” which included:

1. Christianizing the natives in order to civilize them.

2. Bringing natives the technological benefits of western civilization.

3. Teaching Africans to read and write.

White Man’s Burden

“Take up the White Man’s Burden,Send forth the best ye breed,Go bind your sons to exile,

To serve your captive's need;To wait in heavy harness

On fluttered folk and wild, Your new-caught sullen peoples,

Half-devil and half-child.”

Rudyard Kipling

The White Man’s Burden was the idea that Europeans had to conquer the rest of the world, to spread the benefits of Western Civilization.

This was supposed to help them…

5. Social Darwinism

Darwin’s theories of natural selection and survival of the fittest were used by many to support imperialism.

Defeating a weaker race, according to Social Darwinism, could only strengthen the human race.

Many Europeans believed that it was natural and right for strong nations to conquer weaker ones.

Charles Darwin

Social Darwinism said that strong people should rule over weak people…

What is imperialism?Imperialism – when one country controls the political, economic, or

cultural life of another country.

What were the five main causes of imperialism?Militarism Industrialization Nationalism Religion

SocialDarwinism

Talk with a Partner

• Take a moment to discuss which of these concepts best justifies Imperialism.

• Be prepared to share your answer

Assignment

• You are a member of British Parliament. Your constituents are questioning why you have decided to try and Imperialize India.

• Write a letter convincing them why it is a good idea.

• Use at least 3 of the concepts we have discussed.

GO!

Effect #1: Interdependence

• People of varying cultures interacted as never before and the actions of one group started to greatly impact the lives of the other.

First Colonial EmpireLight Blue: 1600-1800

Second Colonial EmpireDark Blue: 1800-1950

French Colonial Empire

Effect #2: Wealth Transfer

• Imperial conquests established wealthy families and companies (many that exist to this day).

• The wealth was largely stolen from the indigenous peoples.

Effect #3: New Conflicts

• Imperialism sowed the seeds of many current conflicts:

– Middle East

– African religious conflicts (Sudan)

– African ethnic conflicts (Rwanda)

• Conflict between European culture and native culture.

Cause #4: Retarded Development

• Imperialism, after an initial spurt, slowed economic and political development in the native areas that were impacted by European influence.

1. Income Gap

• The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.

• European nations took raw materials, labor, and taxes from their colonies.

2. Rivalry and Competition Between European Powers

• This culminated in World War I.

3. Destruction of Traditional Family and Village Life

• Europeans often imposed their ways of life & culture on the people they imperialized.

4. Loss of Self-Rule

• India’s government no longer had a say in how their country was run

• British imposed their laws upon the Indians

Answer in groups

• How could imperialism possible be good for India in the long term?

5. Widespread Famine

• British forced Indian farmers to grow cash crops (i.e. cotton) instead of food crops used to support population

• This regulation lead to famine throughout India.

5. Improved Education, Sanitation and Medicine

• While most of the effects of imperialism were negative, many areas did benefit in these respects.

• Europe brought many technological advances including medicine

6. Infrastructure in India

• Under European direction, roads were built and various systems of transportation (railroad, etc.) and communication (mail, etc.) were put in place.

7. Cultural Exchange

• While European ideas were introduced to India, Indian ideas were also introduced to Europe.