1. The Age of Imperialism 1850-1914

2. WHAT is Imperialism? The social, political, or economic domination of one country over another.

3. WHO? & WHEN? At the end of the 18th century colonialism seemed to be a thing of the past. Britain had lost its 13 Colonies in America, and Spain and Portugal had lost most of South America. A hundred years later, however, a second wave of colonization took place. From 1850 to 1914 European powers seized control of a dramatic number of countries in Africa and Asia.

4. Imperialism and the Balance of Power

5. WHY? (did European powers want to dominate other countries?) G OLD Control over African and Asian countries would provide Europe with: natural resources (coal, diamonds, lumber, etc.) cheap labor a market to sell their products

6. WHY? (did European powers want to dominate other countries?) G OD –People wanted to spread Christianity around the world –IDEALOGY: In general, Europeans wanted to spread their way of life (or IDEAS), believing that they were superior to those that they colonized. –The idea of Social Darwinism (Survival of the fittest—in terms of ways of race and life in this case)

7. WHY? (did European powers want to dominate other countries?) G LORY There was intense competition for land and power among European countries. Explorers wanted fame Countries wanted to dominate over others (superiority)

8. WHY in the 1880’s? (back to the GOLD) The aftermath of the Industrial Revolution –What was the Industrial Revolution? 1600’s most people lived on farms in rural areas 1700’s new inventions such as the cotton gin and the steam engine were used to help produce more food and clothing. Less people were needed on the farms and more people were needed in factories in the city and in the coal mines in order to fuel the factories.

9. What did the industrialized nations need? (back to the GOLD) More workers More machines More money More factories Raw materials and fuel More customers NEW COLONIES WOULD HELP THEM GET WHICH OF THESE?

10. HOW were they able to dominate other countries? European strengths: –Maxim gun –Cure for malaria –Advanced technology –Railroads and steamships

11. HOW were they able to dominate other countries? Other countries’ vulnerability: –Variety of cultures and languages (not a lot of unity) –Weak central governments –Lower/Different levels of technology (spears vs. guns) –Internal conflicts within countries.

12. The Berlin Conference The competition for land in Africa was so intense that many countries feared it would lead to war. In 1884-1885, 14 European leaders met in Berlin to lay down rules for the division of Africa. They could claim land by notifying others of their claim and by showing that they could control the land. No African ruler attended these meetings.

13. Africa Pre-Imperialism

15. Percentage of colonial land controlled

16. What do you think were the affects of imperialism on colonized countries? Positive: Negative