1. “New” Imperialism:
Causes

2. Technological Causes:
New Imperialism
Economic Causes:
Need for natural resources
Expansion of markets
European economies strengthened by the Industrial Revolution
Political Causes
Increased European nationalism
Prestige of global empire
Strong, centralized European nations
Global naval bases needed to support merchants (gas stations)
Social Causes:
Desire to spread Christianity and Western Civilization
Social Darwinism (see later slide)
Technological Causes:
Industrial Revolution brought improvement in weapons and transportation
Improvements in medicine

3. In the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution and the rise of nationalism in Europe created the New Imperialism.
Imperialism is the political, economic or cultural domination of one area by another country
Imperialism is a foreign policy where a country creates an empire with colonies.
What is Imperialism?

4. When? 19th century 1914 –WWI begins
1945 – Age of De- Colonization begins at the end of WWII
When?

5. Where? Imperialist Powers: “Victims” of Imperialism (colonies)
England (Great Britain,UK)
France
Belgium
Germany*
Japan*
US**
*Latecomers to “The Great Game”
**US focused on the Pacific and Caribbean
Africa
Asia:
China
Southeast Asia (including Indonesia)
Indian subcontinent
Pacific Islands
Where?

6. There were political, economic and technological reasons (see 1st slide)
Social Cause? Social Darwinism and Racism played a big role….
Why?

7. Darwin never approved of it… Europeans believed:
Social Darwinism was a false application of biology (Darwin) to social science
Darwin never approved of it…
Europeans believed:
People in a society must compete for survival.
The strong survive. Prosperty was a sign of fitness. The rich were naturally superior.
The weak were unfit. Poverty was a sign of being unfit. The poor were naturally inferior.
Why some countries were rich and some were poor:
There were Superior Races (the British) There were Inferior Races (the British colonies).
Racial Superiority / Cultural Superiority
Racial superiority encouraged imperialism Cultural superiority encouraged imperialism.
The Europeans regarded themselves as culturally superior to the people of Africa and Asia.
Humanitarianism

8. Humanitarianism:
Humanitarians argued that it was Europe’s noble duty to uplift and enlighten the backward peoples.
Rudyard Kipling wrote about this in his poem, “Take up the White Man’s Burden.”
Religion:
The Missionary Impulse
Christianity is superior to all other religions.
It is the duty of a Christian missionary to spread Christianity to Asia and Africa.
Moral Issues:
Christianity: All people are equal in God’s eyes.
Social Darwinism: “We” are superior and “They” are inferior.

9. Forms of Imperial Control
Form of Control
Define:
Where? Why? By Whom?
Colonies
Direct:
Indirect:
Protectorate
Sphere of Influence
Forms of Imperial Control