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The Age of New Imperialism

The Age of New Imperialism. 1800-1914. Imperialism. A policy where stronger nations dominate the political, economic, or cultural life of weaker nations. A new wave began in the 1800s. Original wave started back in the 1400s.

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The Age of New Imperialism

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  1. The Age of New Imperialism 1800-1914

  2. Imperialism • A policy where stronger nations dominate the political, economic, or cultural life of weaker nations. • A new wave began in the 1800s. Original wave started back in the 1400s. • Born out of the new industrial society of the 1800s. Countries were richer and more powerful.

  3. Map of Colonial Empires in 1914

  4. Causes • Economic Interests • Political/Military Interests • Humanitarian/Religious Goals • Social Darwinism

  5. Economic Interests • The Industrial Revolution • Industrialized countries needed natural resources • Ex: rubber, petroleum, manganese for steel, palm oil for machinery • Also wanted new markets to sell factory goods to • Colonies were valuable outlets for overpopulation in home countries

  6. Political/Military Interests • IN’s needed naval bases around the world • Seized islands and harbors • Competition/maintaining balance of power • Empire = prestige and greatness • Ex: when France got colonies in West Africa, GB and Germany did too to prevent France from becoming too powerful

  7. Humanitarian/Religious Goals • Many Westerners believed they had a moral duty to spread their “superior” way of life • Western technology, law, medicine, education • Also felt they needed to “Christianize” the “barbarians” in other parts of the world. • It was very ethnocentric…but…many well-meaning missionaries and doctors accompanied the imperialists • Two arguments: western advances did benefit natives; natives were denied their culture

  8. Social Darwinism • Imperialism was based on feelings of racial superiority; this theory justified colonies. • Racism: the belief that one race is superior to others • Social Darwinists applied Charles Darwin’s ideas about natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies. • Imperialism was nature’s way of improving the human race.

  9. What made imperialism possible? • Weakness of conquered areas • Africa weak because of slave trade • Lack of weapons/technology • Western strengths and advantages • Strong economies and governments • Powerful armies and navies • Superior technology • Steam-powered ships, Maxim machine gun (1889), repeating rifles, the telegraph, quinine

  10. Forms of Imperialism • Colony – direct control, most intrusive • Protectorate – local rulers left in place, but still under control of European advisors • Sphere of influence – exclusive investment or trading privileges • Economic Imperialism – most politically independent, but ldc’s indirectly controlled by large businesses

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