Imperialism

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Imperialism

Learning goals

The main learning goal for this section is:

• You can explain why European powers started expanding their overseas empires during the 19th century and how this expansion led to international conflicts.
  

In order to achieve this goal, you will need to:

• learn to describe what (modern) imperialism was and when it happened.
  
• be able to give four reasons (economic, military, cultural and political) why Western countries wanted to colonise parts of Africa and Asia.
  
• be able to give three examples of how (modern) imperialism created tensions and conflicts between colonial powers. 
  

What is the definition of the keyword: Industrial Revolution?

Answer

The Industrial Revolution refers to a period of intense and rapid industrial, technological, and social changes during the late 18th to the early 19th century. 

It was a gradual change from an agrarian society, a society where agriculture and trade are the most important sectors of the economy, to an industrial society, a society that has mechanised most production processes, and where mining and industry are the most important sectors of the economy. 

Start of Imperialism

Which countries were colonized in 1800?

Which countries were colonized in 1914?

Start of Imperialism

Firstly, colonies were used for trading spices, like The VOC in the Netherlands. In the 19th century, European countries sought to expand their influence and control in other parts of the world. They did this by establishing colonies on different continents, creating empires.

These imperial powers aimed to extract wealth, establish trade routes, and spread their cultural and political ideologies. The process often involved military conquest, economic exploitation, and forcing European culture on vast parts of America, Africa and Asia.  

Economic reasons for imperialism

European countries were looking for resources they didn't have in their own country, like oil, gold, cotton and other materials. They needed the resources from the colonies to fuel their industry, which arised because of the Industrial Revolution.

Examples: Britain colonized India to control the trade in spices and cotton, and Belgium colonized Congo late 19th century for their rubber.

What is the economic reason for the European countries for imperialism?

Military reasons for imperialism

European countries wanted to extent their military power. Colonies across the world provided military strongholds, like naval bases or outposts.

The race for colonies over the world caused a lot of wars between European powers and African countries. For example: Anglo-Zanzibar war.

The race for colonies also caused tensions between the European countries, because they wanted the same piece of land.

What is the military reason for imperialism?

Cultural reasons for imperialism

White man's burden = European's belief that it was their duty (plicht) to spread their superior culture, religion, values, and systems of governance to "uncivilized" peoples in other parts of the world.

European imperial powers egitimized the colonization of non-Western territories by portraying it as a mission of ‘kindness’ and progress. They argued that they were bringing civilization, Christianity, and modernity to the world. But this idea justified the exploitation, oppression, and cultural assimilation of indigenous populations.

What is the cultural reason for imperialism?

Political reasons of imperialism

Conquering large empires meant that they could enhance their national prestige and demonstrate their political power. Colonial possessions were seen as a symbol of a nation's strength and greatness. This led to tensions between the big European imperial powers.

Example: Scramble for Africa and the Berlin Conference (1884-1885). 

Were there any leaders from the African countries at the Berlin Conference?

1. Yes
2. No

What was the political reason for imperialism?

Let's go to Learnbeat!

Go to Learnbeat 1.1C: Lesson 2: The Age of Modern Empires, European imperialism in the 19th century. Answer the check up questions. At the end of class, we'll discuss your answers together.

Industrialisation and empires

Learning goals

The main learning goal for this section is: You can describe how the industrial revolution made European imperialism possible and how European imperialism contributed to the industrial revolution.

In order to achieve this goal, you will need:

• to explain why the extraction of wealth from the colonies was an important driver of imperialism,
  
• to give at least three examples of goods extracted from the colonies and their place of origin,
  
• to give at least three examples of industrial goods sold in colonial markets for profit,
  
• to explain how imperialism and industrialisation are related.
  

Industrialisation in empires

In 19th century, large parts of the world were colonized by European countries. Most important reason for colonization is economic.

Materials were used for the European industries, which led to economic growth in the homelands. It also helped the technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution.

Colonized people were forced to work and were a cheap source of labor.

Which materials/resources were extracted from the colonies?

Materials from the colonies

• Rubber from Africa/South America, used for production of industrial goods;
• Tea from India/Ceylon, popularizing the drink in the UK and the world;
• Sugar from Caribbean colonies, demand for sugar in Europe fueled the growth of sugar plantations;
• Cotton from India/southern USA, became vital for the textile industry;
• Ivory from Africa, a luxurious product for the European elite;
• Minerals/Metals from Africa/Asia, gold, diamonds, copper and tin.

Where were the industrial products, made by European countries, sold?

Products in foreign markets

Colonial empires over the world provided European countries to sell their industrial products in their own colonies. These goods were often produced with the raw materials coming from the colony.

The European colonizer had all the power on the trade in the colonies. They controlled the markets and made sure they benefited the most.This effected local economies, therefore colonies stopped developing their own industry.

From factory to marketplace

• Textiles: European textile products were sold cheaply in India and Africa, disrupting local textile producers;
  
• Machinery: Imperial powers introduced the steam engine in the colonies to use in the local mines and agriculture;
• Consumer goods: household items, furniture and luxury goods for the colonial elite and the upcoming middle class;
• Transportation equipment: trains and steamships facilitated the movement of people and goods within the colony.

To summarize: Why was industrialization in the colonial empires so important?

Let's go to Learnbeat!

Go to Learnbeat, 1.1D: "Lesson 3: The Age of Modern Empires, raw materials and industrial economies." 

Answer the questions in Learnbeat, at the end of class, we'll discuss the answers together.