MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

Introduction "New Imperialism"

Starting around 1500, European states practiced imperialism [imperialism: a policy in which a state takes political and economic control of areas beyond its borders] by establishing coastal outposts and colonies in Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Their purpose was to support overseas trade. Independence revolutions and the ending of the slave trade severely eroded the imperial system. By the early 1800s, the extent of Western empires had decreased considerably. However, later in the century, a new form of imperialism appeared. A different set of imperialist powers once again sought to expand by exerting control over lands, resources, and peoples beyond their borders.

Industrialization One factor that nearly all historians agree on is industrialization. As French statesman Jules Ferry wrote in 1890, “Colonial policy is the daughter of industrial policy.” Nations that mechanized their manufacturing sector became more productive. As a result they needed an increasing supply of natural resources—such as cotton, wool, timber, ore, dyes, and petroleum—to feed their growing industries. And those industries needed larger markets for their manufactured goods. By dominating lands overseas, a country could help fulfill both needs.

Industrialization also increased nations’ wealth and power. That gave them a huge advantage in warfare against less developed countries, as the Battle of Omdurman showed. Advances in military technology included rifles that shot farther and more accurately and steam-powered warships that served as platforms for artillery. Some scholars argue that such military advantages led naturally to imperialism. Industrialized European states, they say, expanded because they could.

MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

EExploratory

Goals:Imperial nations or their citizens wanted to explore territory that was, to them, unknown. Sometimes they did this for the purpose of medical

or scientific research. At other times, they did it for the sense of adventure. Invariably, imperial explorers sought to discover, map, and claim territory before their imperial competition did, partly for national

and personal glory and partly to serve the imperialist goal of expansion.

Evidence:“All great nations in the fullness of their strength have desired to set their mark upon barbarian lands and those who fail to participate in this great rivalry will play a pitiable role in time to come”

- (German historian) Heinrich von Treitschke, 1879

MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

PPolitical

Goals:Patriotism and growing imperial power spurred countries to compete

with others for supremacy. It’s a matter of national pride, prestige and security. Empires sought strategic territory to ensure access for their navies and armies around the world. The empire must be defended and, better yet, expanded. Political motives were often triggered as

responses to perceived threats to the security or prestige of the imperial power or its citizens abroad.

Evidence:“Nations are great in our times only by means of the activities which they develop…(France) out to propagate this influence throughout the world and carry everyone that she can her language, her customs, her flag, her arms, and her genius.” -Jules Ferry, 1883 (prime minister of France in the years 1880 -1881 and 1883-1885)

MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

IIdeological

Goals: Imperial nations sometimes believed that their cultural values or beliefs (ideas) were superior to other nations or groups. Imperial

conquest, they believed, would bring successful culture to inferior people. In the late 19th century, for example, European powers clung to

the racist belief that inferior races should be conquered in order to “civilize” them. The Europeans acted on their ethnocentrism, the belief

that one race or nation is superior to others.

Evidence:“I repeat, that the superior races have a right because they have a duty. They have the duty to civilize the inferior races .... In the history of earlier centuries these duties, gentlemen, have often been misunderstood. . . But, in our time, I maintain that European nations acquit themselves with generosity, with grandeur, and with sincerity of this superior civilizing duty.”

-Jules Ferry, 1883 (prime minister of France in the years 1880 -1881 and 1883-1885)

MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

RReligious

Goals:During imperial expansion, religious people sometimes set out to

convert new members of their religion and, thus, their empire. Christian missionaries from Europe, for example, established churches

in conquered territories during the nineteenth century. In doing so, they also spread Western cultural values. Typically, missionaries spread the imperial nation’s language through educational and

religious interactions, although some missionaries helped to preserve indigenous languages. British missionaries led the charge to stop the slave trade in the nineteenth century, while others, such as French missionaries in Vietnam during the same time period, clamored for

their country to take over a nation.

Evidence:“The Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought to the faith itself.”

-Inter Caetera, May 3, 1493

MOTIVES FOR IMPERIALISM “EMPIRE” – CLASS COPY – DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

EEconomic

Goals:Imperial governments, and/or private companies under those

governments, sought ways to maximize profits. Economic expansion demanded cheap labor, access to or control of markets to sell or buy products, and natural resources such as precious metals and land;

governments have met these demands by hook (tribute) or by crook (plunder). After the advent of the Industrial Revolution, dependent colonies often provided to European factories and markets the raw

materials they needed to manufacture products. Imperial merchants often established trading posts and warehouses, created

transportation infrastructure, and sought control over strategic choke points, such as the Suez Canal in Egypt (which allows boats to cut

thousands of miles of travel time between Asia and Europe). Imperial powers often competed with each over for the best potential

resources, markets, and trade.

Evidence:“The majority of the raw materials were agricultural products produced on plantations. Plantation crops included tea, India, coffee, cotton, and jute. Another crop was opium. The British shipped opium to China and exchanged it for tea, which they then sold in Britain”

- Patterns of Interaction, 1999 (World History textbook)