ImperialismBackground

New Imperialism 1870-1914

Africa and Asia

Introduction

• 1815: by this time world witnessed 400 yrs of imperialism (European expansion)

• Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British were leading Imperialists

• Western Maritime powers led the race for new lands and resources

• Purpose for control over non-Euro peoples included:– Trade– Missions– Settlement– Looting– Conquests– National pride

Introduction Cont’

• Imperial powers cross land as well– Ottoman Turks, Habsburgs, Teutonic tribes,

Franks (Charlemagne), Napoleon, Russian advance into Asia and E. Europe & U.S. expansion westward

• Nothing new to European (West) expansion by 1870– Yet… ‘imperialism’ is word associated w/ 19th

century

New Imperialism

• Brit economist J.A. Hobson argues:– Colonial expansion attributed to economic factors– “…the economic taproot of imperialism [was] excessive

capital in search of investment…”• Religious, political or cultural motives existed, but w/in

realm of Capitalism– Profit driven competition

• Imperialism exploited lesser developed regions for:– Cheap labor– New, cheap raw materials– Good investments– New markets

Cold Shoulder to Imperialism

• Prior to 1870 there seemed to be a shift away from colonies

• By 1815 France lost most colonies in America• Spain lost most of her territories in S. America• 13 colonies broke free of Britain• 1822- Portugal lost Brazil• 1861- France opened her colonies to free trade with all

nations• Economist Adam Smith argued: “burdens of colonialism

outweighed all its benefits…”• These are strange events that took place on eve of

1870s…

Economic Imperialism?

• 1870s became a scramble for overseas territories

• Economic forces were important but don’t explain:– France (not industrialized) doubled colonial expansion

between 1815 & 1870– French footholds in Algeria, Senegal, Indochina, and

Tunisia– British trade w/ America increased after Revolution– German economic penetration into eastern Europe

increased but no territories became German colonies

New Imperialism• France, Germany, Italian territories and Austrians vying for

power on European continent• Germany and France becoming more industrial powerful by

1880s• Benefits Britain as Continental powers weakened one another• Long Depression (1873-1896) in Europe

– Price inflations weakened businesses– Governments promoted internal growth and trade– Abandoned free trade to protect domestic industries

• Leaders sought overseas markets:– overseas colonies would provide export markets free of foreign

competition, while supplying cheap raw materials.

Imperialism in Africa & Asia

• Imperialism of Africa and Asia took place during an era where ruthless, rivalry and jealousy prominent between European powers

• No international organization existed to broker, mediate or organize European rush for new territories

• New Imperialism was power politics- projected on overseas conquests– Economic force behind it was to find markets for

industrial and capital investment

Attractions of Africa and Asia

• Home of many raw materials needed by the increased # of factories in Europe

• Cotton, silk, rubber, vegetable oils and minerals among the materials

• Open territories were ripe for settlement, thus creating a new market

• Port areas sought – for Navy and Merchant purposes• Infrastructure created to increase transportation of

raw material to coastal area• Drive for Africa led by French and Dutch followed by

Britain

Other Factors for Imperialism• Adventurers and Missionaries also led expansion in

conquered territories• National strength ensured by territorial conquest-

Nationalism became product of foreign policy and security• Individual desire for wealth, adventure and scientific

discovery led people to trek vast areas of untamed land in Africa and Asia

• Missionaries sent to Africa to convert the ‘heathen’ to Christianity

• Others came to new territories w/ purpose of looting/stealing• Imperialism led by:

– Gov’t bureaucrats, botanists, soldiers, capitalists, bankers, businessmen, buccaneers, and the Bible

Effects of Imperialism

• Scholars, teachers and laypeople vary in their interpretations of imperialism’s ramifications

• Positive: – Imperialists built roads, railways, ports, financial

institutions, schools, better health care and better sanitation

• Negative:– No one has ever said, “I’m happy my freedom and

liberties were taken from me…”, laborers were exploited, culture was stolen, people were resettled, taken from families, religion was forced upon imperialized people, raw materials were stripped away, liberties were not granted