Imperialism

Building Overseas Empires

Chapter 9-Section 1

Definition of Imperialism

� Domination by one country over the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region

Advantages of Western Countries

� Scientific advancement

� Transportation

� Industry

� Communication

Motives Behind Imperialism -Economic

� Access to natural resources (oil, rubber, steel, etc.)

� New markets to sell finished products

� Investment

� Colonies provided outlet for growing European population

Motives Behind Imperialism-Political and Military

� Ships and naval vessels needed ports around the world to take on coal and supplies

� Nations seized territories to stop other European nations from colonizing

� European countries felt colonies were needed for national security

� Global empire increased national prestige

Motives Behind Imperialism-Humanitarian and Religious Goals

� Westerners felt concern for other peoples around the world

� Missionaries wanted to spread Christianity

� European powers felt need to bring modern medicine and law to colonial areas

Motives Behind Imperialism-Social Darwinism

� Belief that Western powers were racially superior to Africans and non-white populations

� Embraced theory of Social Darwinism

� European races were superior to other races

� Imperial domination of weaker races was nature’s way of improving human species

Spread of Western Imperialism

� Soldiers

� Merchants

� Settlers

� Missionaries

� Explorers

Weakness of Non-Western States

� European countries were strong compared to colonial areas

� Colonial areas could not resist the Western invasion

� Slave trade hurt African empires

Colonial Rule in Africa

Western Advantages

� Stronger economies

� Well-organized governments

� Powerful militaries (army and navies)

� Superior technology (riverboats and telegraph)

� Improved medical knowledge

� Better medicines (quinine) helped Europeans survive tropical diseases

Western Advantages

� Machine guns and rifles

� Steam-driven warships

Resisting Imperialism

� Africans and Asians resisted and fought European imperialism

� Inferior weapons (spears) no match for guns and superior technology

Map of Africa

Forms of Imperial Rule

Direct Rule

� Country sends officials and soldiers to administer the colony

� Goal was to impose European culture on colonies

� Example: France

Indirect Rule

� Using local leaders to govern the colonies who answered to the European country

� Maintained indirect control over the colony

� Example: Britain

Protectorate

� Local rulers left in place but expected to follow advice of European advisors

� Issues of trade or missionary activities

� Less expensive to operate than a colony

� Did not require a large commitment of military forces

Sphere of Influence

� Outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges

� Example: Liberia was under the sphere of influence of the United States

Economic Imperialism

� Independent but less developed nations controlled by private business interests rather than by other governments

� Example: The Dole Fruit Company controlled pineapple trade in Hawaii

Africa (1880)

Africa (1885-1914)

Imperialism in Africa to the Eve of World War I

Africa Today

Percentage of Africa Controlled By European Countries in 1913

Imperialism in Asia to the Eve of World War I

Powerpoint questions (19 points)

1. Define imperialism.

2. What advantages did imperialism provide to Western powers?

3. What were the six(6) motives that caused imperialism?

4. Why couldn’t Africans and Asians resist European imperialism?

5. Explain direct rule.

6. Explain indirect rule.

7. What is a protectorate?

Powerpoint questions (19 points)

8. What is a sphere of influence?

9. Define economic imperialism.

10. Through what people did Western imperialism spread? (5 points)