The New Imperialism

1. The New Imperialism Africa “Invaded”

2. What is Imperialism? Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country.

3. The New Imperialism • Began in 1500s. • 1870 – 1914 Europeans established colonies in African coastal regions. • Nationalism – rampant competition among nations to prove their worth • Industrial Revolution - needed new sources to buy and sell goods and to collect natural resources

4. Industrialization throughout Europe depended on raw materials Countries need to establish colonies to provide natural resources Need for new markets to sell goods Place for growing populations to settle Place to invest profits Causes of New Imperialism…Economy

5. For Example (Economics) Invest money to build railroad  raw materials brought out of Africa faster and more cheaply  able to increase industrial production Build factory in India  New market (Indian, British in India)  cheaper production (cheap Indian labor)

6. …Politics and the Military… • Weaponry of the Industrial Age gave European nations a huge military advantage over the people of Africa, India, and China. • Bases for trade and navy ships • Power and security for a global empire • Spirit of nationalism

7. For Example (Military) Maxim Gun British and the Sudan (Battle of Omdurman – suburb of Khartoum) British versus Muslim Dervishes British casualties – 482 (using artillery and maxim guns) Sudanese Casualties – 22,700 (using muskets and spears)

8. …Society… • Wish to spread Christianity • Wish to share Western civilization • Ethnocentrism!

9. New advancements such as railroads and steamships allowed Europeans to be able to enter deeper into jungles and wild areas than before. New weapons New medicines Improved ships Railroads …Science and Technology…

10. For Example (Medical Advancements) Germ theory and the discovery of quinine (cure for malaria) gave Europeans the physical strength necessary to survive in harsh environments.

11. “Social Darwinism” – some races are “superior” to others. In this case, the belief that white Anglo-Saxons are better than the tribal Africans. This gave the justification they needed to conquer and subdue native peoples Herbert Spencer

12. Rudyard Kipling • “The White Man’s Burden” – poem that offered justification for imperialism. • Kipling expressed the idea that white imperialists had a moral duty to educate people in nations they considered less developed. • Missionaries spread western ideas, customs, and religions to people in Africa.

14. King Leopold of Belgium • Sent a mission to the interior of Africa to establish trade agreements with leaders of the Congo River basin • Ran Congo as his own PRIVATE estate. • In the name of “civilizing” the people, Leopold enslaved the people and cut off hands of reluctant workers or slow roasted the ones who couldn’t be convinced of his benevolence

15. The Berlin Conference • In order to avoid conflict among themselves, Europeans leaders met in Berlin, Germany to set up rules for colonizing Africa. • Divided Africa with little regard for those living there. • In 1850, most of Africa had been free…70 years later, most of the continent was under European rule

16. A Continent Divided

17. Short Term Effects on Colonies • Large numbers of Africans came under European rule • Local economies became dependent on industrialization • Some nations introduced changes to meet imperialist challenges • Conflicts between European culture and native culture

18. More short term effects • Individuals and groups resisted European domination • Western culture spread to new regions • Africa’s traditional political units were disrupted or destroyed • Famines occurred in lands where farmers grew cash crops. This was exported for imperialistic nations rather than food for local use.

19. Long Term Effects on Colonies • Western culture continued to influence much of the world. • Transportation, education, and medical care were improved. • Resistance to imperial rule evolved into nationalist movements. • Many economies became dependent on single cash crops grown for export. • Slowed economic and political development of native areas

20. Effects on Europe • The West discovered new crops, foods, and other products. • Westerners were introduced to new cultural influences. • Competition for empires created and increased conflict between imperial powers. These conflicts sometimes led to war. • The industrial nations controlled a new global economy.

21. African religious conflicts – Sudan Muslims vs. Christians vs. tribes African ethnic conflicts – Rwanda Hutus vs. Tutsis After WWII, 22 African nations emerge as military dictatorships NEW CONFLICTS