Age of Imperialism

1. “I contend that we [Britons] are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race… It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that the more territory simply means more Anglo- Saxon race [English], more of the best, the most human, most honourable race the world possesses.” Cecil Rhodes, “Confession of Faith, 1877” Age of Imperialism 1880-1914 What motives for imperialism can you find in Rhodes’s statement?

2. What does this political cartoon tell you about the Age of Imperialism?

3. Definition • Imperialism = one country’s domination of political, economic, and social life of another country • Sea power + centralized gov’ts + industrialization = unprecedented empires

4. “MAIN” Motivations M = Markets (both to get raw materials and sell finished products) A = Acquire resources I = Introduce Christianity + European “superior” culture N = Nationalism (competition between nations)

5. Why did Europeans feel that they could conquer the world? • Social Darwinism • Herbert Spencer, said some human races were further “evolved” than others. • Rudyard Kipling’s “White Man’s Burden” poem. Made Imperialism seem like the “nice” thing to do – to “help” uncivilized areas become “civilized.”

6. Forms • Colony – directly ruled by an imperial power • Protectorate – native gov’t “guided” by a foreign power • Sphere of Influence – region where an imperial power has exclusive economic rights

7. Results • Elites across ALL cultures benefit • Competition among Europeans = rising tension • Racism increases • 1914 – Europe controls 85% world’s territory (up from 15% in 1815) • Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands had biggest empires • Russia, Germany and Italy, US & Japan join later

8. “Wrap it Up” Question… • What are the 4 main motivations for European Imperialism in the time period 1880-1914? • Which do you feel is the most important for European Imperialists? Why?