Just Imagine…• You are the owner of the New York

Yankees and have just won the World Series. You currently have an infinite amount of power and influence. How can you make sure that your empire never ends?

Imperialism

In the 19th Century

What is it?• Imperialism: the policy by a stronger

nation to attempt to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914

To gain power, European nations compete for colonies and trade.

Nationalism

Europeans exerted influence over

the economic, political, and social lives of people they

colonized.

Europeans believe they must spread their Christian teachings to the world.

Missionary Spirit

Demand for raw materials and new markets spurs a search for colonies.

Economic Competition

Causes

Economic Interests

• The Industrial Revolution– Creates need for access to natural

resources• metals, petroleum

– Need markets for goods– Population explosion – where does everyone

go? Overseas colonies

How would this invention help Imperialism?

Steam Boat

How about this one?

Maxim gun

Humanitarian Goals

• Missionaries, doctors & colonial officers believed they had a duty to spread what they saw as the blessings of Western civilization.– Medicine, law, Christian religion

Social Darwinism• West - racial superiority• Application of Darwin’s ideas on natural

selection to justify the imperial conquest & destruction of other races

Political & Military Interests

• Navy– Needed bases around the world to get

supplies• Nationalism

– One country had land in a region, others would follow

– Prestige of ruling a global empire– “Great nations have great colonies”

How was this control created?

Forms of Imperial Control – Colony

• Imperial powers controlled the governments of their colonies– Direct rule: officials are sent from the

imperial power to administer the colony• Goal: impose the imperial power’s culture onto the

colony & turn into a province

– Indirect rule: local rulers are used as agents in governing• Local children urged to get an education in the

imperial power; grooming next generation.

Forms of Imperial Control – Protectorate

• Local ruler left in place– Expected to take advice of European advisors

on issues of trade or missionary activity

Forms of Imperial Control – Sphere of Influence

• An area in which an outside power claimed exclusive investment or trading privileges.

EXAMPLES

The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire

Examine the map below and think – What does this title mean?

Imperialism and Empire - Africa• 1880 – Most of

Africa consisted of independent states

• 1914 – With the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia, all of Africa was controlled by Europeans

• Why are all these European Nations and why do they want a piece of Africa?

Imperialism and Empire - India• The Sepoy Rebellion

allowed British soldiers to invade and control all of India

• The British established control of India and its neighbors by 1914.

• The British controlled Australia, New Zealand and much of the far east. The worlds’ biggest empire!

British in India

• Crops: opium poppies for sale in China and cotton and tea for sale in the rest of the British empire

• Cotton textile making outlawed in India• India was so profitable, it was called the

“Jewel in the Crown.”

Imperialism in China • Because of repeated

attempts at invasion, China distrusted foreigners and tried to remain isolationist.

• They were unsuccessful.• Britain gained spheres of

influence in China through smuggling opium. Resulted in Opium War and Boxer Uprising.

• Resulted in continued sale of Opium.

Why would a Christian nation sell opium in China?

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914

Europeans control land and people in areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Colonization

Christianity is spread to Africa, India, and Asia.

Christianization

Europeans control trade in the colonies and set up dependent cash-crop economies.

Colonial Economics

Effects

Europeans exerted influence over

the economic, political, and social lives of people they

colonized.