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The Causes of Imperialism

In this lesson, students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Imperialism

Causes of Imperialism

Social Darwinism

Balance of Power

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Imperialism refers to the political andeconomic control of one area or country

by another.

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Nationalism in Europe led to a renewedinterest in expansion. Europeans conquered land in Asia and Africa

between 1870 and 1900.

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Despite the independence of theUnited States and Latin America,

European imperialism continued in Africa and Asia.

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New European countries like Belgium,Germany, and Italy wanted colonies.

In this photograph, an African is holdinga severed hand. In the Belgian Congo,

if an African did not supply enough rubber, his hand was cut off.

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There were many reasons for thisrenewed interest in conquest and

imperialism. New technology – suchas steamships, rifles, telegraphs, and

better medicines- made it possibleto conquer the African and Asian interiors.

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There were economic motives for Imperialism. Europeans needed cheap raw materials to keep their

factories busy.

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Nationalism was a motive. Europeanswanted colonies to demonstrate their

power.

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European countries also wanted to preserve the balance of power among

themselves. When one country acquireda colony, other countries felt the same

was necessary.

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Many Europeans believed in SocialDarwinism. Social Darwinism was the belief that some societies were more

successful because their cultures weresuperior.

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Some Europeans and Americans believedit was their responsibility to conquer and

“improve” the conquered peoples’ cultures.

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As European imperialists “carved” upAsia and Africa, European missionariesjourneyed to conquered lands to spread

Christianity.

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While Europeans profited from imperialism, conquered peoples

suffered greatly.

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Questions for Reflection:

• Define imperialism.• What was an economic cause of

imperialism?• How did technology affect conquest?• Why did nationalism contribute to

imperialism?• Why did Social Darwinism contribute to

imperialism?