Africa in the Early 1800s

When imperialists arrived in Africa, they met many different peoples who spoke hundreds of

languages and had many different forms of government. Muslims had conquered or influenced

much of North, East, and West Africa, but the Ottoman empire was in decline. In southern Africa

the Zulus had expanded their control, but they in turn came to be dominated by the technology of

the Boers.

European Contact Increases

African resistance, difficult terrain, and diseases kept Europeans from much of the interior

regions of the continent in the early stages of imperialism. Explorers finally pushed into the

interior, followed soon after by missionaries. Dr. David Livingstone was both an explorer and

missionary who wrote about Africa’s people and opposed the slave trade.

1 of 8

The New ImperialismSection 2: The Partition of Africa

3 of 8

The New ImperialismSection 2: The Partition of Africa

A Scramble for Colonies

King Leopold II arranged trade treaties with African leaders and soon monopolized the Congo.

This started the scramble for colonies by other European nations. An agreement about the

process of colonizing Africa was reached at the Berlin Conference in 1884.

Africans Resist Imperialism

The colonizers often met with armed resistance. Ethiopia managed to resist European

colonization altogether. In this Age of Imperialism, some Western-educated Africans developed

an elite status, while others formed nationalist movements to pursue independence.

The New Imperialism: Section 2Color Transparency 149: The Scramble for AfricaThe New Imperialism: Section 2

7 of 8

Stresses in Muslim Regions

The three great Muslim empires of the Ottomans, the Safavids, and the Mughals were in decline by

the 1700s. They were challenged by Muslim Reform movements as well as European imperialism.

1 of 7

The New ImperialismSection 3: European Claims in Muslim Regions

Witness History Audio: The Egyptian Campaign

Note Taking Transparency 162

Color Transparency 146: The Berlin-to-Baghdad Railway 1913

Problems for the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman empire faced many challenges from nationalists who wanted to create independent

states to European colonizers who seized Ottoman territory. Despite Ottoman rulers’ efforts to

reform, the rise of the Young Turks in 1890 and the Start of World War I would spell disaster.

History Interactive: Ottoman Empire, 1913

Egypt Seeks to Modernize

The Ottomans appointed Muhammad Ali governor of Egypt and he instituted a number of political

and economic reforms that led to Egypt’s becoming a Middle Eastern power. After Ali’s death,

Egypt borrowed money from European countries to build the Suez Canal. Britain later made Egypt

a protectorate in order to protect Britain’s interests in the canal.

Persia and the European Powers

Both Britain and Russia set up spheres of influence in Persia. The discovery of oil made them even

more intent on control. Different groups of Persian nationalists wanted to either adopt Western

ways or turn away from Western influences and toward Islam.

2 of 7

The New ImperialismSection 3: European Claims in Muslim Regions

The New Imperialism: Section 3Color Transparency 146:

The Berlin-to-Baghdad

Railway 1913

5 of 7

East India Company and Rebellion

The British East India Company moved from a trading company that operated on the fringe of the

Mughal empire to ruling all of India. They made this move by playing different Indian peoples

against each other as well as by having superior weapons. Because of the Sepoy Rebellion

against the company and the company’s brutal backlash, the British government took over India’s

rule.

1 of 6

The New ImperialismSection 4: The British Take Over India

Witness History Audio: Critical of British Rule

History Interactive: Imperialism in India to 1858

Impact of British Colonial Rule

British rule of India helped the country to modernize and improve its infrastructure and brought a

legal system that promoted justice for all Indians. However, some initiatives, such as the one to

create more farms for cash crops, caused famine and ecological harm.

2 of 6

The New ImperialismSection 4: The British Take Over India

Color Transparency 147: Indian Tea Poster

Note Taking Transparency 163

Different Views on Culture

While some upper-class Indians adopted and admired Western ways, others had more pride in

Indian culture. Ram Mohun Roy combined both views and started a movement that established

English schools in India. Among the British, there were also those who admired and those who

looked down upon Indian culture.

Indian Nationalism Grows

By the late 1800s, Western-educated Indians had begun a nationalist movement. The Indian

National Congress was organized in 1885 and it supported eventual self-rule and Western-style

modernization. When Muslims began to mistrust Hindus in the Congress party, they formed their

own Muslim League.

3 of 6

The New ImperialismSection 4: The British Take Over India

QuickTake Section Quiz

Progress Monitoring Transparency

Trade Between Britain and China

China moved from having a trade surplus with Western countries to having a trade deficit. When

British merchants were getting rich from selling opium to the Chinese, China’s demands to shop

the trade led to war. British warships had the latest technology and China was defeated. Britain

then forced China to open more ports to trade and to give Britain the port of Hong Kong.

The Taiping Rebellion Weakens China

The peasant revolt known as the Taiping Rebellion nearly toppled the Qing dynasty and led to

the deaths of 20–30 million Chinese. As a result, the Qing government had to share power with

regional commanders.

1 of 7

The New ImperialismSection 5: China and the New Imperialism

3 of 7

The New ImperialismSection 5: China and the New Imperialism

Color Transparency 148: The Great Powers Divide China

Launching Reform Efforts

When it became obvious that China was no match for Western powers or a modernized Japan,

imperialists rushed to carve out spheres of influence along the coast. The U.S. introduced an

Open Door Policy to keep Chinese trade open. In 1898, emperor Guang Xu began a reform

program to modernize China called the Hundred Days of Reform, but the Conservatives soon

retook control.

4 of 7

The New ImperialismSection 5: China and the New Imperialism

The Qing Dynasty Falls

The Qing dynasty once again had to contend with foreign guns and demands after the Boxer

Uprising brought in forces of the Western powers and Japan. A Chinese nationalist movement

was growing and led to the birth of a republic after the empress Ci Xi died.

QuickTake Section Quiz

Progress Monitoring Transparency

QuickTake Chapter Test