The Age of New Imperialism 1800-1914. The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters.
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Transcript of The Age of New Imperialism 1800-1914. The Devilfish in Egyptian Waters.
Imperialism
• A policy where stronger nations dominate the political, economic, or cultural life of weaker nations.
• A new wave began in the 1800s. Original wave started back in the 1400s.
• Born out of the new industrial society of the 1800s. Countries were richer and more powerful.
Causes
1. Economic Interests ($$$)2. Political/Military Interests (Nationalism)3. Humanitarian/Religious Goals4. Social Darwinism
Economic Interests
• The Industrial Revolution – Industrialized countries needed natural resources • Ex: rubber, petroleum, manganese for steel, palm oil for
machinery
– Also wanted new markets to sell factory goods to– Colonies were valuable outlets for overpopulation
in home countries
Political/Military Interests
• IN’s needed naval bases around the world– Seized islands and harbors
• Competition/maintaining balance of power– Empire = prestige and greatness– Ex: when France got colonies in West Africa, GB
and Germany did too to prevent France from becoming too powerful
Humanitarian/Religious Goals
• Many Westerners believed they had a moral duty to spread their “superior” way of life– Western technology, law, medicine, education
• Also felt they needed to “Christianize” the “barbarians” in other parts of the world.
• It was very ethnocentric…but…many well-meaning missionaries and doctors accompanied the imperialists
• Two arguments: western advances did benefit natives; natives were denied their culture
Social Darwinism
• Imperialism was based on feelings of racial superiority; this theory justified colonies.– Racism: the belief that one race is superior to
others• Social Darwinists applied Charles Darwin’s
ideas about natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies.
• Imperialism was nature’s way of improving the human race.
What made imperialism possible?
• Weakness of conquered areas– Africa weak because of slave trade– Lack of weapons/technology
• Western strengths and advantages– Strong economies and governments– Powerful armies and navies– Superior technology• Steam-powered ships, Maxim machine gun (1889),
repeating rifles, the telegraph, quinine
Meeting in Berlin
• Berlin Conference, 1884– A gathering of
European powers held in Berlin.
– This was a means of avoiding war between the powers.
– It established ground rules for staking claims in Africa.
Forms of Imperialism
• Colony – direct control, most intrusive• Protectorate – local rulers left in place, but still
under control of European advisors• Sphere of influence – exclusive investment or
trading privileges • Economic Imperialism – most politically
independent, but ldc’s indirectly controlled by large businesses