Late Nineteenth Century Imperialism

Objective To understand the causes of European imperialism of the late 19 th century To understand the extent of European imperial expansion To understand the consequences of European imperialism for Europe and the developing world

Definitions Imperialism “extending a nation’s influence directly or indirectly over weaker areas”

Definitions Colonialism Taking direct control of an area and turning it into a colony under a nation’s authority

Definitions Nationalism Belief that an ethnic group should rule itself Belief that one nation is better than all the others

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Economic

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Economic

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Three C’s of Imperialism Christianity Civilization Commerce

Causes of Late 19 th Century European Imperialism Political Maintain the balance of power To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets Status symbols Germany takes colonies to be like other European powers Cultural and Religious Belief in cultural or racial “superiority” Desire to spread Christianity to “heathens” To spread “civilization”

Britain Largest colonial empire “Sun never sets on the British Empire”

Britain Largest colonial empire “Sun never sets on the British Empire” Colonies established to protect trading interests in Africa and Asia Two kinds of colonies “White” Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) given self-rule “Non-white” Colonies (India, Africa) under direct rule

France

Acquired Algeria in 1830 Took over Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) by the 1880s Expanded into Western Africa in the 1880s Took colonies to make up for loss of Alsace-Lorraine in 1870

Germany

Bismarck originally opposed colonial expansion Unnecessary for Germany Did not want to threaten France or Britain Germany took colonies in 1880s for status symbols In Africa and Asia

United States

Did not get involved in European affairs Became colonial power after 1898 Spanish-American War U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend influence into Latin America

Scramble for Africa Europe had been interested in Africa for centuries Through the slave trade

Scramble for Africa Europe had been interested in Africa for centuries Through the slave trade Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s European influence restricted to coastline Technology allows Europeans to explore African interior Steamboats, Suez Canal, advances in medicine

Scramble for Africa By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground rules for European colonization of Africa

Scramble for Africa

Consequences Traditional way of life disrupted Economic exploitation of Africans European racism imported into Africa Spread of European culture Spread of Western technology

European Imperialism in Asia

India Britain trading in India since 1600s British East India Co. gradually took over parts of India British government gradually took over India in the 1800s Sepoy Mutiny  Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co. and were put down by British army

European Imperialism in Asia Consequences of British Imperialism in India British educational system established Spread of English language Railroads tie India together Rise of Indian middle class

European Imperialism in Asia China

European Imperialism in Asia China Potentially huge market Closed to European trade until 1800s Opium War (1840) Britain forces China to open trade to opium By 1900, China divided into European “spheres of influence” Parts of China under European control Chinese monarchy seriously weakened

Reaction to Imperialism Rise of Nationalist Movements

Reaction to Imperialism Rise of Nationalist Movements India Indian National Congress (1885) Group of middle class Indians begin to demand independence (Mohandas Gandhi) China Boxer Rebellion (1900) Nationalist Party

Conclusion Different reasons for European imperialism during late nineteenth century European imperialism causes reactions in Africa and Asia European imperialism disrupts traditional way of life and continues to affect the world today