Imperialism-

• The policy of extending authority and control over another territory or country.

• The Age of Imperialism lasted from the 1850’s until approximately 1910.

Causes of Modern Imperialism

• A. The Industrial Revolution-Wealth was increased in many nations. In order to stay wealthy and powerful, those nations needed supplies of raw materials. These wealthy nations also needed new markets for their industrialized products.

• B. Militarism- Industrialized nations had to build up their armies to protect their colonies from competitors as well as from the colonists actually uprising. A policy of maintaining large military forces in a high degree of readiness for action.

• C. Nationalism-created a sense that countries needed to acquire colonies in order to show that the country is strong.

• D. Racism and religious views- Most European countries along with the USA, felt that there were far more superior to East Asian, and African countries. They also felt that they needed to spread Christianity.

British Imperialism- Explain the quote, “the sun never sets on the British flag”.

Scramble for Africa•Berlin Conference- was created to divide Africa into

colonies. Many European nations agreed with this because they feared war over the competition for control over the continent.

How does this represent Imperialism?

Social Darwinism

Europeans were considered to be the fittest for survival and were superior to others. Non-Europeans were not as advanced and it was up to the Europeans to control them.

This was a major belief of Cecil Rhodes who was a British imperialist.

Cecil Rhodes was a famous British imperialistCecil Rhodes was a famous British imperialist. “We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain

raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labor that is available from the natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods produced in our factories.”

• Great Britain held the largest portion of Africa• Some holdings in West Africa & controlled

Eastern Africa from Egypt to Cape of Good Hope• 1875 – British buy Suez Canal from Turkish ruler• 7 yrs later British settle rebellion in Egypt and

rule country

Boer War• Dutch settlers were know as the Boers. They had settled in

South Africa. • When the British took over South Africa, the Boers were not

happy. When gold and diamonds were found in the area, many people wanted to move in and get rich.• The Boers revolted and the British fought against them.• There was much destruction of Boer property. Some Boers

were put in concentration camps.

Use the reading on my wiki on the Scramble for Africa to answer these questions.1. What were the motivations of European

governments to colonize Africa?2. What natural resources were exploited by

Europeans in Africa?3. What technological advances allowed Europeans to

easily conquer Africa?4. What were the after effects of the Boer War?

The British in India

• The British East India Company (BEIC) had control of India until 1857. The British crown took over because Indian soldiers (Sepoy Munity) revolted. The BEIC ignored Indian culture and tradition.

“Jewel in the Crown”

•Great Britain called India this because India had a vast potential for being a huge market for British goods and supplying Great Britain with the natural resources that it needed.

The Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny

• In 1857, some sepoys refused to use the cartridges supplied for their new rifles because they were supposed greased with beef or pork fat…and they had to be bitten off before inserted into the rifle. Muslims cannot eat pork and Hindus consider cattle sacred. Great Britain took over India. Great Britain’s direct rule in India is know as the British Raj.

Conditions were terrible for Indians during this time, population increased but the food supply did not.

• Telegraphs, railroads, irrigation systems were built, but Indians had no say in government and did not hold high level positions.

Imperialism in China

Manchu (Ch’ing) Dynasty

• Isolation policy• Not interested in Western technology = no modern weapons• Valuable goods: tea, silk, and porcelain

• Westerners (Russia, Japan, USA, Britain, France & Germany) pushed for trade • Only allowed to live and work in Canton

Opium War (1839-42)

• Opium – drug produced in India • British introduced to Chinese for profit => addiction

• 1839 – Chinese officials attempt to stop opium trade• Destroyed chests of opium & imprison British traders• British sent invasion fleet and defeat China

• The United States created an Open Door Policy in China to protect American trading rights in China. This allowed merchants of all nations to be able to trade in China.

Boxer Rebellion

• Chinese group called “Boxers” want to drive the “foreign devils” out of their country• These “Boxers,” supported by Empress Dowager, begin killing

Europeans & Americans

• 1900 – Boxers attacked embassies in Beijing• International forces unite and crush Boxer Rebellion