A. What is Imperialism?Imperialism is: the process bywhich powerful countries buildempiresby dominating thepolitical, economic and culturallife of weaker countries, often turning them into colonies. In short, imperialism is:empire-building.

A. What is Imperialism? (cont.) In modern times, there have been TWO rounds of European empire-building:

Round I: 1500s-1700s Europeans sought trade routes, exotic goods, cash crops & slaves.

A. What is Imperialism? (cont.) This round was focused in 3 areas:

1) Exploiting trade opportunities in Asia.2) Taking colonies in the Americas.3) Establishing outposts on the coasts of Africa.

A. What is Imperialism? (cont.) Round II: 1800s-early 1900s Industrializing countries sought raw materials and markets for manufactured goods.

A. What is Imperialism? (cont.) In this round the Europeans focused on: 1) Expanding their influence in Asia and the Pacific.2) Scrambling to take colonies in Africa.

B. Reasons for Imperialism 1) Chauvinism. White Mans Burden"Take up the White Man's burden-- Send forth the best ye breed-- Go, bind your sons to exile To serve your captives' need; To wait, in heavy harness, On fluttered folk and wild-- Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half devil and half child...-- Rudyard Kipling -1899

B. Reasons for Imperialism (cont.) 2) Evangelism.

B. Reasons for Imperialism (cont.) 3) Natural Resources.CopperRubberOil

B. Reasons for Imperialism (cont.) 4) Markets for goods.

B. Reasons for Imperialism (cont.) 5) Nationalism.

Africa in 1880

Africa in 1914