Roots of Western Imperialism How Europe, the US, and Japan (but mostly Europe) tried to take over the world

Imperialism  Imperialism is when one country takes control of another country

Crash Couse: Imperialism   Why was Europe so interested in Africa?  List FIVE things you learn from the clip

Imperialism Steps to building the colony: 1. Merchants or explorers visit foreign lands 2. If welcomed to stay, the “mother country” would send soldiers to protect their people 3. The Europeans would build roads & make other improvements to protect their interests 4. The new developed area would benefit the Europeans and all be done (mostly) without the consent of the locals

The Scramble for Africa  The focus of most of Europe’s imperialist activities in the 19 th century was Africa.  The demand for resources, markets, and the prestige of having colonies drove imperialist Europe to Africa.

The Scramble for Africa  Up until the 1880’s only the coastlines of Africa had been colonized, exploited or even explored  Gold, ivory and slaves had been taken from these colonies  The slave trade ended in the in the 1800’s but European powers now had control of most of the African coast

Reasons for Imperialism  After the 1880’s Europeans had technological superiority due to the Industrial Revolution  Europeans fought with machine guns/Africans had spears and bows.  Better maps  Easier travel with the steam ship and railroads. Made travel on water or land faster and allowed for close contract with colonies.  Medical treatment of malaria with the drug quinine.

Reasons for Imperialism  African nations lacked unity  No common language  Lack of common culture  Wars between different groups  Lack of technology

The Berlin Conference  Rules for the Colonization of Africa  In 1884 European powers trying to colonize Africa were coming into conflict.  To avoid further conflict 14 European powers set up rules for colonizing Africa.  No members of the African community were present.

The Berlin Conference  The agreement between the European powers specified  European powers could acquire colonies in the following methods.  Through occupation.  Notifying other European states of the occupation and claim.  Showing that the European power could control the area.

The Berlin Conference  Results of the Conference  In 1850 most of Africa had been free.  By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free of European control.

Affects of Imperialism   What impacts can we see today?  Why was the Berlin Conference so detrimental to Africa?

Result of Colonization  Europeans did not find a new market for goods in Africa  Africans had little currency to buy goods.  Instead Europeans found that Africa had a great deal of wealth and raw materials to supply the European nations

Result of Colonization  Raw Materials  Europeans developed cash- crop plantations  Peanuts  Palm oil  Cocoa  Rubber  These plantations displaced food crops Africans needed to feed their families.  Wealth  Africa contain rich mineral resources  The Belgian Congo  Tin  Copper  South Africa  Gold  Diamonds

Impact of Imperialism in Africa  Positives  Reduced local warfare  Brought hospitals and schools to Africa.  Increased life spans and literacy rates.  Gained railroads, dams, and telephone lines  Negatives  Africans lost their land  Loss of independence  Large amounts of the African population died of European diseases.  Smallpox  Loss of traditional culture  Division of African nations by European boundaries  Forced labor  Displaced resources

Socratic Seminar Opening Question  Greed  Power  Resources  Conflict  Expansion Tell me which word from this list best describes imperialism and why?