AP World HistoryPOD #16 – New Imperialism in Africa

New Imperialism

Class Discussion Questions

McKay – “Western Imperialism”, pp. 868-877

McKay – “Response to Western Imperialism”, pp. 877-882

Bulliet – “The New Imperialism: Motives and Methods”, pp.740-744

Historical Context

“Europe has a long tradition of imperialism reaching back to the twelfth century. During the first two-thirds of the nineteenth century the European powers continued to increase their influence overseas. The New Imperialism was characterized by an explosion of territorial conquests even more rapid than the Spanish conquests of the sixteenth century. Between 1869 and 1914, in a land grab of unprecedented speed, Europeans seized territories in Africa, Central Asia, and both Europeans and Americans took territories in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Approximately 10 million people fell under the rule of Europe and the United States in this period.

The New Imperialism was more than a land grab. The imperial powers used economic and technological means to reorganize dependent regions and bring them into the world economy as suppliers of food stuffs and raw materials and as consumers of industrial products. In Africa and other parts of the world , this was done by conquest and colonial administration. The Latin American republics, though remaining politically independent, became economically dependencies of the United States and Europe.” (Bulliet, p. 740)

What was New Imperialism?

from 1880 to 1914 the Europeans not only sent large numbers of migrants, money, and manufactured goods around the world but also rushed to create a larger political empire

this led to tensions between the European nations competing for territory and power

new imperialism was focused on Asia and Africa and was heavily influenced by race

What factors influenced New Imperialism?

conservative governments used imperialism as a means to enhance nationalism and patriotic unity at home

new source of industrial resources new market for manufactured goods superior military technology made this process easier desire to increase economic strength- create a large empire

where high protective tariffs and monopolies could be exploited

colonies were seen as crucial to national security, military power , and international prestige- it was believed that colonies were essential for great nations

Social Darwinism- need to civilize the savage Guns, Quinine, Steam power, and Telegraph Special interest groups such as private companies desired to

make a large profit in these areas

Political Motives

The Great Powers of Europe were determined to demonstrate their national power and prestige through territorial conquest around the world

Naval Empires (Alfred T. Mahan, US Navy) – argued that great powers needed military installations around the world

Economic Motives

Europe confronted an economic crisis between the mid-1870s and the mid-1880s leading to demands for new nationalistic economic policies and actions that would protect business and industry from foreign competition by securing access to raw materials and markets in the tropics

The Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America created a gigantic demand for minerals (copper for electrical wiring, tin for canning, chrome and magnesium for the steel industry, coal for steam engines, as well as gold and diamonds for general wealth)

There was an increasing demand for cash crops throughout the world market (cotton, rubber, sugar, coffee, tea, tobacco)

Declining business opportunities at home prompted entrepreneurs and investors to look for profits in Asia, Africa and Latin America

What agreements were made at the Berlin Conference?

at this conference the Europeans agreed that claims to African territory had to rest in “effective occupation” in order to be recognized by the other states

this caused the Europeans to push from all sides into the interior of Africa

it also guaranteed that through this process no one European nation would be able to claim the entire continent

Cultural Motives

Religious – convert non-believers (heathens) to Christianity

Determined to abolish slaveryProvide these regions with the benefits

of modern science and technology by introducing Western education, medicine, hygiene and monogamous marriage

What is White Man’s Burden?

Europeans should and could “civilize” the more primitive non-white people

Europeans believed that it was their duty or “burden” to bring to these people the benefits of modern economics, cities, advanced medicine an higher standards of living so that in time they might be ready for self-government

White Settlers

“In the early years of the New Imperialism, colonial administrations consisted of a governor and his staff, a few foreign troops to keep order, and a small number of tax collectors and magistrates. Nowhere could colonialism operate without the cooperation of indigenous elites, because no colony was wealthy enough to pay the salaries of more than a handful of European officials. In most cases the colonial governors exercised power through traditional rulers willing to cooperate. Colonial governments also educated a few local youths for “modern” jobs as clerks, nurses, policemen, custom inspectors, and the like. Thus colonialism relied on two rival indigenous elites.” (Bulliet, pp. 743-744)