Five Reasons for Imperialism PDF

Preview

Summary

Reasons for imperialism explained....

Description

The West Moves to the East By the late 1800s, European nations like Great Britain and France were growing more powerful. One way to gain power was to take control of other parts of the world. Europeans had set up trading posts in Africa and Asia in earlier centuries. However, European countries were no longer happy to just trade with foreign lands. They wanted to own and control the areas. In the 1880s, European imperialism increased in Africa and Asia. Imperialism is when a country rules over foreign lands. Although African and Asian armies fought the Europeans, they could not stop the invaders. The armies and navies of the Western countries were too powerful. Also, several old civilizations like the Ottoman Empire in Africa and Asia were losing power. Because the areas were weakened, it was easier for Europeans to take control of them. The Europeans took over the places they conquered in Africa and Asia and set up colonies. There were several economic reasons why Western powers wanted to control foreign lands. Manufacturers needed new places to get natural resources, like rubber and oil. They also wanted new markets to sell their goods in. In addition, military and merchant ships needed places around the world to refuel. European nations thought that ruling colonies all over the world increased a nation’s worth. Countries competed with each other to become the most powerful nation. For example, when France moved into West Africa, Britain and Germany quickly invaded nearby areas. They took the lands to build up their own empires while slowing down the French. Many Westerners thought they were helping the people in Africa and Asia. Some believed they had a duty to spread the blessings of Western civilization to other lands. These blessings included medicine, law, and Christian religion. Many Europeans thought Westerners had a humanitarian responsibility to bring civilization to primitive people. Missionaries, doctors, and colonial officials worked to spread European ideas in the foreign lands. Not all Westerners liked the idea of imperialism. Anti-imperialists said that Westerners were hypocrites. Western nations were moving toward democratic government at home but ruling colonies in an undemocratic way. The anti-imperialists did not think it was fair. They also said that imperialism helped Europeans get rich at the expense of native peoples. However, the imperialists were the stronger voice. By 1900, most parts of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia were governed by European imperialist powers.

Multiple Choice HIGHLIGHT the best answer, and write the letter in the box. 1. In the 1880s, European imperialism increased in ___________. A. Africa and Asia B. Africa and South America C. North America and Asia D. Africa and Antarctica 2. ___________ was losing power in the late 1800s. A. Great Britain B. France

C. The Ottoman Empire D. Germany 3. Western powers wanted to take over foreign lands because ___________. A. they needed new places to get natural resources B. they wanted new markets to sell their goods in C. ships needed places around the world to refuel D. all of the above 4. ___________ said that the way Western nations were ruling colonies was unfair. A. Imperialists B. Anti-imperialists C. Westernists D. Psychologists 5. By ___________, most parts of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia were governed by European imperialist powers. A. 1850 B. 1880 C. 1900 D. 1980

1. What company controlled pineapple trade in Hawaii? American Dole Food 2. What area did the United States claim as its sphere of influence? Latin America 3. What is the difference between a colony and a protectorate? A colony is a country or area controlled by a foreign power. Protectorate is a country controlled by outside power.

1. Which European country controlled most of northwest Africa? 2. Which European country controlled Egypt? 3. What do Ethiopia and Liberia have in common?

Five Reasons for Imperialism

1. Economic The Industrial Revolution stimulated the hunt for colonies. First, colonies provided raw materials. Second, colonies served as a market for surplus manufactured goods. 2. Political Every country wanted national hegemony – that is, to be the No. 1 imperialist country in the world. To achieve this, they wanted to control as much of the world as possible. The nation’s greatness is measured by the quality and quantity of its colonies. Folks wanted to plant the flag in as many places as possible. Every country wanted recognition as a world power. They wanted to improve their reputation among other European countries. They wanted to increase their political power and prestige. Every country was in competition with its rivals. You took territory – simply to prevent your rival from getting it!

3. Military Every imperialist country was worried about its own national security: The competition among imperialist powers was vicious. One had to protect one’s own country and its colonies. Every country wanted to gain military advantage over its rivals. A colony could serve as a fueling station for the Navy. A ship could stop and load up on supplies. Some spots in the world, especially waterways, were strategically important. The Navy was paramount: It must have freedom to travel to and from the colonies. 4. Cultural Social Darwinism was the prevailing belief in Europe. It explained why some countries were rich and some were poor. People compete for survival. The strong survive. The rich were naturally superior. The weak were unfit. Poverty was a sign of being unfit. The poor were naturally inferior. The European colonizers were the Superior Races. The African and Asian colonized were Inferior Races. The Europeans regarded themselves as racially and culturally superior to the people of Africa and Asia. Humanitarians argued that it was Europe’s noble duty to uplift and enlighten the backward peoples. Belief in Anglo-Saxon superiority was prevalent.

5. Religious The “missionary impulse”: Christianity is superior to all other religions. We must spread Christianity to Asia and Africa. Religion encouraged imperialism. People felt they needed to acquire territory in order to Christianize people. A serious moral issue – Christianity is in direct conflict with Social Darwinism. Under Christianity, all people are equal in God’s eyes. Under Social Darwinism, the Europeans are superior and the Africans

and Asians are inferior. There was also a certain element of hypocrisy: While the Europeans spoke of uplifting people, they were motivated by profit and greed.

Matching Activity For each phrase or statement, choose which one of the five reasons for imperialism applies for each phrase or statement. You may write E for economic, P for political, M for military, C for cultural, or R for religious reasons next to the number. Only one reason may be used for each fact. 1. The missionary impulse. R 2. Social Darwinism C 3. The Industrial Revolution E 4. National security M 5. The hunt for natural resources E 6. National hegemony, i.e., to be the No. 1 imperialist country in the world P 7. A market for surplus goods E 8. Strategic advantage C 9. European countries were rich because they were fit E 10. You took territory to prevent your rival from getting it! P 11. The European colonizers were the Superior Race. C 12. People felt they needed to acquire territory in order to Christianize people. P 13. A colony could serve as a fueling station for the Navy. M 14. Asian and African countries were poor because they were unfit. E 15. Great Britain was the No. 1 imperialist country in the world E 16. The Navy was paramount. M 17. To control as much of the world as possible. P 18. The Africans and Asians were Inferior Races. C 19. The competition among imperialist powers was vicious. P 20. A nation’s greatness was measured by the quality and quantity of its colonies. P 21. Humanitarians argued that it was Europe’s noble duty to uplift and enlighten the backward peoples. P 22. Plant the British flag! P 23. One had to protect one’s own country and its colonies. M

24. Every country wanted recognition as a world power. P 25. A ship could stop and load up on supplies. M 26. Some spots in the world, especially waterways, were strategically important. M 27. Every country wanted to gain military advantage over its rivals. M 28. They wanted to improve their reputation among other European countries.E 29. They wanted to increase their power and prestige. R 30. They regarded themselves as racially and cultural superior to the peoples of Africa and Asia. C...