Motives of Imperialism

Independent Lesson #1- Imperialism Explained

Open Ended

What country does the octopus represent?

Open Ended

Why would a country want to "touch" or possess all of that land?

Open Ended

How did the Industrial Revolution strengthen countries like England and the United States?

Open Ended

How would you feel if you were one of the countries England was taking over?

What is Imperialism?

•A policy in which a stronger nation works to create an empire

–Emerged in the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.

• How is this done?

By dominating weaker nations/territories economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

Watch the video to the right before moving on.

How can we think about Imperialism? 

Expansionism vs. Isolationism

Colonization vs. Freedom to rule

Why Imperialism Grew?

In the late 1800s, there was a large increase in imperialistic activity as a result of the following factors:

1. Economic

2. Nationalist

3. Military

4. Humanitarian

•The U.S. joined in the competition for territories once it became a world power

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons/ideas behind imperialism? 

• Military Needs
• To isolate your country from the rest of the world. 
• Cultural Superiority 
• Nationalism 

Multiple Choice

Why did nations want to be imperialistic?

• They wanted prestige among other nations
• They needed more natural resources
• They needed more markets to sell industrial goods
• All of the Above

Multiple Choice

Industrialization affected the relationships between industrialized nations and non-industrialized nations because it

• was the driving force behind imperialism. 
• weakened economic ties between nations. 
• allowed industrialized nations to take slaves. 
• enabled the two types of nations to strengthen each other.

Multiple Choice

The infamous "Scramble for Africa" referred to:

• A major race that was held across the plains of Africa
• A period when the European powers conquered and divided most of Africa amongst themselves
• A war that Britain launched against the Boers in South Africa
• A period when the European powers rushed to establish friendly relations with nations across Africa

Multiple Choice

What is a territory settled and ruled by people from another land

• colony

• territory

• spoils

• Island

Multiple Choice

What is domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region

• Imperialism

• Industrialization

Economic Factors

•An overall desire for raw materials & natural resources:

World:

•The growth of industry in Europe created an increased need for natural resources (rubber & petroleum).

•Manufacturing nations needed new markets in which to sell their goods.

U.S.:

-By the late 1800s, Americans had more food & goods than they could consume .

-New markets could solve economic problems.

-Gain political influence by investing in other countries.

Economic Factors

The Industrial Revolution encouraged imperialism.

-New colonies could provide natural / raw materials.

-The machines had to be fed.

-Asia and Africa were treasure chests for cotton, silk, rubber, tin, petroleum, etc.

-Cheap labor.

-New colonies provided a market.

-A surplus of goods required consumers.

Multiple Choice

Imperialism led to political tensions between European countries?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

One of the most important motives for the European imperialism in Africa in the late 1800s was that   Africa provided a source of

• religious conversion of Africans
• slaves for the American colonies
• raw materials used in industry
• new technology to gain from Africans

Nationalistic Factors

•Imperialists around the world used ideas of racial, national, and culture superiority to justify imperialism.

–Social Darwinism (survival of the fittest) was used to justify this: certain nations & races were superior to others and were destined to rule over inferior peoples & cultures.

–Competition among European nations came out of a strong devotion to one’s nation. (nationalism)

–Americans feared the U.S. was losing its vitality, energy, & spirit.

•A quest for a larger empire could restore the country.

Military Factors

•To expand and protect their interests around the world, imperialist nations built up their military strength.

•World:

–Advances in military technology in Europe produced armies & navies superior to those in Africa & Asia

–The navies required bases around the world for receiving fuel & supplies

Military Factors

National Security

-Competition caused a lot of problems and wars.

-One had to protect its own land and its business.

Military Advantage

-Expanding borders meant more bases and strategic places around the world.

-More "gas stations" for the navy.

Multiple Choice

What is the belief that one's greatest loyalty is to a shared culture rather than to a leader or border?

• nationalism
• militarism
• imperialism
• rationalism

Multiple Choice

What key term means, “People's awareness of being part of a community w/ common institutions, culture, language”?

• Imperialism
• Nationalism
• Zionism
• Social Darwinism

Humanitarian Factors

•World:

–Colonial officials, doctors, & missionaries believed it was their duty to spread the “blessings” of Western civilization

–Worked to spread its law, medicine, & Christian religion.

•U.S.:

–Used Social Darwinism to justify expansion:

•Believe expansionism was the nation’s destiny, would spread democracy & Christianity, and introduce civilization to other peoples around the world.

Cultural Reasons

Racial superiority/cultural superiority.

-Europeans regarded themselves as culturally superior (better) than people in Africa and Asia.

Humanitarianism - Help your fellow “man”.

-It was Europe duty to help the “backwards” people.

-“Take up the White Man’s Burden”.

Religious Reasons

The Missionary Impulse

-Christianity is superior to all religions and should be spread to all people.

-It was a responsibility to share Christianity and save the heathen people.

Moral Issue

-All people are equal in God’s eyes.

-However, Social Darwinism said that “We” are superior and “They” are inferior.

Multiple Select

The "White Man's Burden" means that Europeans felt they need to bring what to the rest of the word? (Pick 2)

• Civilization

• Christianity

• English

• Money

Multiple Choice

The poem, The White Man's Burden, by Rudyard Kipling, represents the belief that European culture was _______.

• superior to other cultures
• misunderstood by Americans
• the oldest culture in the world
• a replica of Ancient Greek culture