Roots of Western Imperialism

How Europe, the US, and Japan (but mostly Europe) tried to take over the world

Imperialism Imperialism is when one country takes control

of another country

Imperialism

Steps to building the colony:1. Merchants or explorers visit foreign lands2. If welcomed to stay, the “mother country”

would send soldiers to protect their people3. The Europeans would build roads & make

other improvements to protect their interests4. The new developed area would benefit the

Europeans and all be done (mostly) without the consent of the locals

The Scramble for Africa

The focus of most of Europe’s imperialist activities in the 19th century was Africa.

The demand for resources, markets, and the prestige of having colonies drove imperialist Europe to Africa.

The Scramble for Africa

Up until the 1880’s only the coastlines of Africa had been colonized, exploited or even explored

Gold, ivory and slaves had been taken from these colonies

The slave trade ended in the in the 1800’s but European powers now had control of most of the African coast

Reasons for Imperialism After the 1880’s Europeans had technological

superiority due to the Industrial Revolution Europeans fought with machine guns/Africans

had spears and bows. Better maps Easier travel with the steam ship and railroads.

Made travel on water or land faster and allowed for close contract with colonies.

Medical treatment of malaria with the drug quinine.

Reasons for Imperialism African nations lacked unity

No common language Lack of common culture Wars between different groups Lack of technology

The Berlin Conference

Rules for the Colonization of Africa In 1884 European

powers trying to colonize Africa were coming into conflict.

To avoid further conflict 14 European powers set up rules for colonizing Africa.

No members of the African community were present.

The Berlin Conference The agreement between the European

powers specified European powers could acquire colonies in the

following methods. Through occupation. Notifying other European states of the occupation and

claim. Showing that the European power could control the

area.

The Berlin Conference Results of the Conference

In 1850 most of Africa had been free. By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free of

European control.

Result of Colonization Europeans did not find a new market for

goods in Africa Africans had little currency to buy goods.

Instead Europeans found that Africa had a great deal of wealth and raw materials to supply the European nations

Result of Colonization

Raw Materials Europeans developed

cash-crop plantations Peanuts Palm oil Cocoa Rubber

These plantations displaced food crops Africans needed to feed their families.

Wealth Africa contain rich

mineral resources The Belgian Congo

Tin Copper

South Africa Gold Diamonds

Impact of Imperialism in Africa

Positives Reduced local warfare Brought hospitals and

schools to Africa. Increased life spans and

literacy rates. Gained railroads, dams,

and telephone lines

Negatives Africans lost their land Loss of independence Large amounts of the

African population died of European diseases. Smallpox

Loss of traditional culture

Division of African nations by European boundaries

Forced labor Displaced resources