Late Nineteenth Century

Imperialism

1870-1914

Objective
To understand the causes of European
imperialism of the late 19th century
To understand the extent of European
imperial expansion
To understand the consequences of
European imperialism for Europe and the
developing world

Definitions
Imperialism
extending a nations influence
directly or indirectly over weaker areas

Definitions
Colonialism
Taking direct control of an area and turning it
into a colony under a nations authority

Definitions
Nationalism
Belief that an ethnic group should rule itself
Belief that one nation is better than all the
others

Causes of Late 19th Century

European Imperialism
Economic

Causes of Late 19th Century

European Imperialism
Three Cs of Imperialism
Christianity
Civilization
Commerce

Causes of Late 19th Century

European Imperialism
Political
Maintain the balance of power
To control strategic areas like sea lanes, access to markets

Status symbols
Germany takes colonies to be like other European powers

Cultural and Religious

Belief in cultural or racial superiority
Desire to spread Christianity to heathens
To spread civilization

Britain
Largest colonial empire
Sun never sets on the British Empire

Britain
Largest colonial empire
Sun never sets on the British Empire
Colonies established to protect trading interests
in Africa and Asia
Two kinds of colonies
White Colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
South Africa) given self-rule
Non-white Colonies (India, Africa) under direct
rule

France

France
Acquired Algeria in 1830
Took over Indochina (Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia) by the 1880s
Expanded into Western Africa in the 1880s
Took colonies to make up for loss of
Alsace-Lorraine in 1870

Germany

Germany
Bismarck originally opposed colonial
expansion
Unnecessary for Germany
Did not want to threaten France or Britain

Germany took colonies in 1880s for status

symbols
In Africa and Asia

United States

United States
Did not get involved in European affairs
Became colonial power after 1898
Spanish-American War
U.S. gains control of Puerto Rico, Guam,
Philippines

Monroe Doctrine allows US to extend

influence into Latin America

Scramble for Africa

Europe had been interested in Africa for
centuries
Through the slave trade

Scramble for Africa

Europe had been interested in Africa for
centuries
Through the slave trade

Much of Africa still unexplored until 1880s

European influence restricted to coastline

Technology allows Europeans to explore

African interior
Steamboats, Suez Canal, advances in medicine

Scramble for Africa

By 1914, 90% of Africa under European control

Berlin Conference in 1885 sets ground rules for

European colonization of Africa

Scramble for Africa

Scramble for Africa

Consequences
Traditional way of life disrupted
Economic exploitation of Africans
European racism imported into Africa
Spread of European culture
Spread of Western technology

European Imperialism in Asia

European Imperialism in Asia

India
Britain trading in India since 1600s
British East India Co. gradually took over parts of
India

British government gradually took over India in

the 1800s
Sepoy Mutiny
Indian soldiers revolt against British East India Co. and
were put down by British army

European Imperialism in Asia

Consequences of British Imperialism in
India
British educational system established
Spread of English language
Railroads tie India together
Rise of Indian middle class

European Imperialism in Asia

China

European Imperialism in Asia

China
Potentially huge market
Closed to European trade until 1800s
Opium War (1840)
Britain forces China to open trade to opium

By 1900, China divided into European spheres

of influence
Parts of China under European control

Chinese monarchy seriously weakened

Reaction to Imperialism
Rise of Nationalist Movements

Reaction to Imperialism
Rise of Nationalist Movements
India
Indian National Congress (1885)
Group of middle class Indians begin to demand
independence (Mohandas Gandhi)

China
Boxer Rebellion (1900)
Nationalist Party

Conclusion
Different reasons for European imperialism
during late nineteenth century
European imperialism causes reactions in
Africa and Asia
European imperialism disrupts traditional
way of life and continues to affect the world
today