Imperialism and Colonialism

in the Modern Era 1870-1914

I. Definition of Imperialism:
The process by which the industrialized
nations of Europe gained political,
economic and military control of Africa
and Asia.

Africa in
1850

Case Study: Africa 1870-1914

Best example of modern
era imperialism:
The Scramble for Africa
Between 1870 and 1914
African continent is divided
up among the European
Powers
By 1914 only two
independent nations:
Liberia and Ethiopia

Writing Prompt
Our rival school has taken over THS.
They now control our student council,
sports teams, and all other school
functions. All their new rules heavily favor
their school, not ours. Resistance, they
say, is futile. How would you feel about
this? What would you do?

II. Five Motives of Imperialism

There were five basic
motives for imperialism:

1. Economic
2. Political
3. Religious
4. Exploratory
5. Ideological

1. Economic Motives $

Commerce follows the flag.

Cecil Rhoades

Desire to increase
trade
Gain raw materials
Create new
markets for
manufactured goods
Acquire sources of
cheap labor

2. Political Motives
Compete in the
international arena
Expand territories and
control strategic regions
Gain national prestige
and pride
Rule Britannia!
The Sun never sets on the British Empire!

Think, Pair, Share

List:
One thing you already knew
One thing you found interesting/shocking.
One thing you would like to know more about.

3. Religious Motives
To spread the Christian faith
and morality
Missionaries often
supported by governments
Some missionaries also
scientists and explorers:
example David Livingstone

4. Exploratory Motives
To gain knowledge
about the geography and
resources of the region
To conduct scientific
and medical research

Henry Morton Stanley greets Dr. David

Livingstone in central Africa 1871

To gain knowledge of
local cultures and
languages

5. Ideological Motives
To spread Western Civilization
values, legal systems, government,
and technology
Concept of Social Darwinism:
-Societies develop from lower to
higher
-Natural selection means that
stronger cultures will dominate the
weaker
Concept of White Mans Burden:
Duty of white cultures to civilize the
people in the under developed
regions.

Think, Pair, Share

List the five motives for Imperialism
What do you think is the most important
thing weve learned about so far?

III. The Means: How Were the Europeans Able

to Acquire Their Empires?

1.The Effects of the Agricultural and

Industrial Revolutions in Europe
2.Europe has stabilized politically,
economically and socially.

1. The Effects of the Agricultural and

Industrial Revolutions in Europe
A. Large Population growth and expanding
industries create strong economic base =
investment for exploration and overseas
trade.
B. Development of new scientific and military
enable Europeans to explore and conquer
Africa and Asia. (the Big Three: steam
engine, quinine, and machine gun)

The Big Three:

1. steam engine
2. quinine
3. machine gun

2. By 1870s Europe has Stabilized Politically,

Economically and Socially
A.

Strong and stable governments established in major European

states: Britain, France and Germany--promote trade, business
and overseas exploration.

B.

No major wars on continent allow European powers to use

economic and military resources to explore and conquer.

C.

Nationalism: Rising European middle class supports government

policies of expansion overseas.

D.

Stable currency and rate of exchange in European countries

helps to finance colonial expansion: London becomes the world
center for finance and banking.

IV. The Process: What were the patterns or

phases of imperial conquest in Africa and Asia?
1. Traders
2. Explorers and Missionaries
3. Settlers and Commercial Groups
4. Native Resistance or Rebellion Brings Military
Intervention
5. Colonies Established under European Control

1. The Traders
16th through 18th centuries
Europeans establish coastal
settlements and trading posts.
Trade with natives for goods
delivered from interior: gold, slaves,
ivory, rubber.
Little efforts made to penetrate into
mainland, Why?
No incentive, trade goods
brought to coastal settlements
Dangerous to go into interior, lack
of technology and medicine

2. Explorers and Missionaries

Industrial Revolution drives efforts to
explore interiors of Africa and Asia to
gain resources.
Explorers usually sponsored by
European governments, sometimes
given license to claim territories:
Establish the flag.
Explorers use force or reward to gain
access into local rulers territories.
Example: Henry Morton Stanley
Missionaries often supported by their
governments, attempt to instill
Christianity and European values and
stop the slave trade.
Some missionaries also mapped and
explored. Example: Dr. David
Livingstone

Henry Morton Stanley

Area of Dr
Livingstones
Explorations
1866-1873

3. Settlers and Commercial Groups

Once territories mapped out and

resources discovered settlers and
commercial groups move in.

Dutch Boer farmers South Africa

They often sign agreements with

local chiefs or rulers to acquire
resources, but usually at
disadvantage to native peoples.

Some commercial and business

activities provide opportunities for
native peoples, but some are
ruthless to gain resources.
Example: the Belgian Congo
rubber industry.

Can be periods of peaceful

Kimberly
coexistence with natives, but
Diamond Mines
Africa
increased presence and greed of
Europeans usually leads to
conflict.
*This is key turning point for natives,
they will lose control of things.

Rubber Workers
Belgian Congo

Kimberly Diamond Mine, South Africa 1870s

4. Military Intervention

Increasing presence and

aggressiveness of Europeans
often creates conflicts with local
peoples.

Settlers and commercial groups

appeal to their governments for
protection

Public opinion and national

interests force governments to
send in military to restore order

Native resistance usually crushed

by Europeans superior military
technology.

Once conflict resolved, European

nations often annex territories to
maintain military presence and
keep order.

British rifle square Africa 1880s

French storming Vietnamese fort 1870s

5. Colonies Established
European governments
establish permanent presence
and take administrative control
of territory.
Native rulers are deposed or
used for local control under
European administrators.
Colonial governments attempt
to provide infrastructure and
services: construct roads,
railroads, telegraph, etc
Natives can benefit from
introduction of: medicine and
sanitation, schools, and
business opportunities.

The Battle of Omdurman

1898

Imperialism from the Native Perspective

I know the white mans
game: First the traders and
missionaries, then the
businessmen, then the
soldiers and the guns. It is
better for us to go straight
to the guns
King Menelik II of Ethiopia 1870s

V. The Consequences of Imperialism Colonialism

1. Created international conflict and military competition
between major powers
2. Disrupted or destroyed traditional native ways of life.
3. Europeans often exploited resources without any
compensation to native peoples
4. Berlin Conference 1885 created artificial borders without
consideration of native populations
5. Positives: Did improve natives peoples lives in a number of
ways: medicine, sanitation, transportation, and legal
systems