Age of Imperialism

Europe’s Rise to

World Supremacy 1871-1914

Preset:

Why is the United States currently waging a war in Afghanistan and Iraq?

Define:

Imperialism Strategic point Protectorate Colonization Cash crop Sphere of Influence

Imperialism

Creation of global empires through the establishment of colonies Africa, SW Asia, South Asia, SE Asia –

targeted regions by European powers Global Empire = sign of Great Power

Created fierce competition among Great Powers to keep and defend and increase size of empire

New Imperialism – 19th Cent

Economically transformed colonial region

Introduced wage labor Investment capital – mines, plantations,

docks, factories, banks (infrastructure) Lent money to non-European rulers of a

region – influence

Political Control

Colony – regions directly controlled politically by Eur. countries and appointed govt. officials Africa

Protectorate – regional/native ruler supported by Eur. power – had Eur. political advisor SW Asia

Sphere of Influence – region of trade and investment privilege within a country – economic influence led to political influence (indirect) China

Why Imperialism?

Power and prestige Industrial, transportation,

communication technology allowed Steam power – ships, rr Telegraph

Global economy and global markets Raw materials – supported industrial

production of goods and food

Neo-mercantilism – empire was self-contained trade network – guaranteed markets protected from foreign competition by tariffs

Investment capital – Europeans (countries, banks, people) invested in foreign regions – stabilization of the region to maintain investments and profits

Balance of power – countries with large empires increased global influence and overall power

Strategic location – some colonies had strategic value to protect other colony, resource, or shipping lane

Social Crusade – bring benefits of civilization to the uncivilized – “white man’s burden”

Read and Discuss Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “White Man’s Burden”.

Close:

Would you consider actions in Iraq and Afghanistan by the United States representative of a new form of imperialism?