Nationalism, Imperialism, and World War I The New Imperialism

The Causes of “New Imperialism” New technological developments, based on the Industrial Revolution, made the “New Imperialism” possible. The steamboat made it possible to go upstream, reaching the interior of Africa and other places previously too difficult to reach.

The Causes of “New Imperialism” The telegram made it possible to communicate with new settlements deep in the interior regions of Africa and Asia. Later, imperial powers built railroads to ship goods and raw materials to and from their colonies. New medicines, like quinine to treat malaria and antiseptics, and a better understanding of disease made it possible to explore the tropics with less risk.

The Causes of “New Imperialism” Military technology like rifles could be used to control local people. New countries such as Belgium, Germany, and Italy sought colonial empires of their own to establish their power on the world stage. Britain seized control of Egypt to protect the Suez Canal, which provided the shortest route from Britain to India.

Causes of “New Imperialism” European powers were also anxious to preserve the “balance of power” between themselves. European powers also hoped to obtain natural resources and markets to sell their goods. Finally, imperialists such as Rudyard Kipling spoke of the “White Man’s Burden”—the duty of Europeans to spread their culture to areas of Africa and Asia.

Causes of “New Imperialism” In some places, imperialists were met with fierce local resistance. The British fought wars in the Sudan, South Africa, and elsewhere to gain control.

Reasons for Renewed Interest in Imperialism Technology Economic Motives Political Motives Social Motives Many Europeans believed in Social Darwinism—the theory that some societies were more successful because their cultures were superior. Other Europeans wanted to spread Christianity.

Notebook Assignment There were two different time periods where imperialism occurred. The first wave of imperialism lasted from 1500-1800. The second wave, “New Imperialism,” generally lasted from 1870-1950. Describe some of the differences between these two periods of imperialism.