1. Imperialism in a nutshell…

2. What is imperialism??  Imperialism: A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other, weaker countries politically, economically, or socially.  Strong nation = USA, European countries, Russia, Japan  Weaker countries = African, SE Asia, South and Central America and Middle Eastern countries  Once they are taken over, known as colonies

3. Areas of Imperialism  Africa  Middle East  India  SE Asia

4. Why did imperialism occur?  Nationalism: My nation is better than yours.  Colonies became status symbol. The more a country had, the stronger the country they were.  Industrialization: Give me your stuff.  As countries became industrialized, they needed raw materials to make things in their factories. The colonies had these raw materials – lots of them.  Cultural Superiority: We are better than you.  The stronger countries wanted to spread their culture, religion, language, etc. to the colonies because they believed they were superior and more advanced. They thought they were doing the colonies a favor.

5. What were the effects of imperialism?  Colonial powers (Europe, USA, etc.) made lots of money and gained lots of power from their colonies.  Europeans made changes (political structure, boundaries etc.) in colonies that only benefited them and with no regard to how it would affect people living in colonies.  People living in colonies forced to assimilate to the new culture and give up their way of life.  Many people died resisting their countries being colonized.  Once colonial powers leave, chaos ensues because no one is in charge.  HOTEL RWANDA