Ch. 14

The Height of Imperialism

ImperialismSeizure of a country or territory by a stronger country

Stronger country controls political, economic and social life of weaker country

Reasons for ImperialismRaw materialsNew marketsNational pride◦Empire = national greatness

Religion ◦End evil practices ◦Slave trade

RacismWhite Europeans believed they were better

Social Darwinism◦Superior people should rule◦Non-Europeans seen as inferior

Duty of Europeans to “civilize,” “Westernize”

White Man’s Burden

Divided AfricaMid-1800s◦Hundreds of ethnic groups◦1,000s of languages

Europe controls 10%◦Could not travel in-land◦Disease

Africans control own trade networks

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=early+colonization+of+africa&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=2HlNTyIXNnyAXM&tbnid=gMeuHNtn4EQU-M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://users.humboldt.edu/ogayle/hist111/empire.html&ei=WGCoUv7VGsSMyAGzsIGoBQ&bvm=bv.57799294,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNF9ybmtXwOA4QvE8-ClsE0ZCkQa7Q&ust=1386852777023672

Factors Promoting Imperialism

Technological superiority◦Steam engine and ships◦Railroads◦Telegraph cables◦Machine guns◦QuanineProtected Europeans from malaria

The Congo Sparks interestKing Leopold II of Belgium◦Claimed wanted end to slave trade Increase Christianity

◦Real goal was rubber 10 million die because of abuse

Other nations alarmed by Belgian control

The Division of AfricaScramble for territory begins in 1880◦Discovery of diamonds in 1867

◦Gold - 1886

Berlin Conference14 European countries1884-1885Rules for division of Africa◦Notify others of claim◦Show they could control it

No African rulers invited1914 – only Ethiopia and Liberia independent

Demand for Raw Materials Shapes Colonies◦Countries think Africans will buy goodsWrong

◦Main source of wealth is rich mineral resourcesBelgian Congo contains copper and tin

Small compared to diamonds and gold in South Africa

◦Businesses develop cash-crop plantationsPeanuts, palm oil, cocoa, rubber

Displaces food grown by nativesLeads to starvation