Colonialism

Topics

• Why do nations expand? • What is colonisation? • Case Study: Singapore• Compare reasons for founding of Singapore

with causes for expansion

Map of Colonies

Why did the West colonise?

What do you think this is?

Reasons for Colonialism

1. Economic Motives• Was usually the main incentive

for countries to take part in colonisation.

• Colonies were an important source of raw materials (e.g. cotton)

• Wealth was gained when a country conquers another country. (e.g. Spain)

• The trading of an important good (e.g. Chinese Tea) also brought immense profits to a colonial power.

Reasons for Colonialism2. Religious Motives• European countries wanted to spread their religious

beliefs and eliminate other religions.• Roman Catholic countries particularly Spain set out to

convert non-Christian native peoples.• Protestant countries also used religion as a motive for

expansion. Britain’s missionary movements served as a significant reason for that her colonial efforts.

Reasons for Colonialism

3. Strategic Motives• Examples of countries colonising another for

strategic purposes include the Cape of Good Hope, the Suez Canal, and to a certain extent Singapore in the early 19th century.

SingaporeBritish Colonialism

Colonialism in S.E.A.

British Interests

• China Trade • Naval Base • Competition from other colonial powers • Raw materials / resources / spice trade