1. Background New Imperialism 1870-1914 Africa and Asia

2. Introduction
1815: by this time world witnessed 400 yrs of imperialism (European expansion)
Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British were leading Imperialists
Western Maritime powers led the race for new lands and resources
Purpose for control over non-Euro peoples included:
Trade
Missions
Settlement
Looting
Conquests
National pride

3. Introduction Cont’ Imperial powers cross land as well
Ottoman Turks, Habsburgs, Teutonic tribes, Franks (Charlemagne), Napoleon, Russian advance into Asia and E. Europe & U.S. expansion westward
Nothing new to European (West) expansion by 1870
Yet… ‘imperialism’ is word associated w/ 19th century

4. New Imperialism Brit economist J.A. Hobson argues:
Colonial expansion attributed to economic factors
“…the economic taproot of imperialism [was] excessive capital in search of investment…”
Religious, political or cultural motives existed, but w/in realm of Capitalism
Profit driven competition
Imperialism exploited lesser developed regions for:
Cheap labor
New, cheap raw materials
Good investments
New markets

5. Cold Shoulder to Imperialism
Prior to 1870 there seemed to be a shift away from colonies
By 1815 France lost most colonies in America
Spain lost most of her territories in S. America
13 colonies broke free of Britain
1822- Portugal lost Brazil
1861- France opened her colonies to free trade with all nations
Economist Adam Smith argued: “burdens of colonialism outweighed all its benefits…”
These are strange events that took place on eve of 1870s…

6. Economic Imperialism? 1870s became a scramble for overseas territories
Economic forces were important but don’t explain:
France (not industrialized) doubled colonial expansion between 1815 & 1870
French footholds in Algeria, Senegal, Indochina, and Tunisia
British trade w/ America increased after Revolution
German economic penetration into eastern Europe increased but no territories became German colonies

7. New Imperialism Leaders sought overseas markets:
France, Germany, Italian territories and Austrians vying for power on European continent
Germany and France becoming more industrial powerful by 1880s
Benefits Britain as Continental powers weakened one another
Long Depression ( ) in Europe
Price inflations weakened businesses
Governments promoted internal growth and trade
Abandoned free trade to protect domestic industries
Leaders sought overseas markets:
overseas colonies would provide export markets free of foreign competition, while supplying cheap raw materials.

8. Imperialism in Africa & Asia
Imperialism of Africa and Asia took place during an era where ruthless, rivalry and jealousy prominent between European powers
No international organization existed to broker, mediate or organize European rush for new territories
New Imperialism was power politics- projected on overseas conquests
Economic force behind it was to find markets for industrial and capital investment

10. Attractions of Africa and Asia
Home of many raw materials needed by the increased # of factories in Europe
Cotton, silk, rubber, vegetable oils and minerals among the materials
Open territories were ripe for settlement, thus creating a new market
Port areas sought – for Navy and Merchant purposes
Infrastructure created to increase transportation of raw material to coastal area
Drive for Africa led by French and Dutch followed by Britain

12. Other Factors for Imperialism
Adventurers and Missionaries also led expansion in conquered territories
National strength ensured by territorial conquest- Nationalism became product of foreign policy and security
Individual desire for wealth, adventure and scientific discovery led people to trek vast areas of untamed land in Africa and Asia
Missionaries sent to Africa to convert the ‘heathen’ to Christianity
Others came to new territories w/ purpose of looting/stealing
Imperialism led by:
Gov’t bureaucrats, botanists, soldiers, capitalists, bankers, businessmen, buccaneers, and the Bible

13. Effects of Imperialism
Scholars, teachers and laypeople vary in their interpretations of imperialism’s ramifications
Positive:
Imperialists built roads, railways, ports, financial institutions, schools, better health care and better sanitation
Negative:
No one has ever said, “I’m happy my freedom and liberties were taken from me…”, laborers were exploited, culture was stolen, people were resettled, taken from families, religion was forced upon imperialized people, raw materials were stripped away, liberties were not granted