Imperialism in Africa and the Ottoman Empire

Imperialism

The conquering of foreign territories by powerful countries for natural resources and markets.

Factors that led to European nations to expand

imperialism and economic interests

What role did nationalism play?

Rival countries hurried to build empires - France moved to Africa, Britain and Germany seized lands nearby to stop further French expansion

White Man's burden

Europeans and Americans believed they had a responsibility to spread christianity, civilize and educate other nations, and end the slave trade.

Social Darwinism

Applied Darwin's idea about natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies and nations.

Technological Advantages that European had

Machine guns, metal ships, exploding shells

Protectorate

nation with its own government, under the influence of an outside country

Natural resources (rubber, ivory, gold, diamonds) and that it was closest to Europe and easier to conquer.

Why is Africa valuable

Berlin Conference

meeting of European powers to divide Africa peacefully, no Africans were invited

Menelik II

Successfully defended Ethiopia against invasion (1896)

What happened to the Ottoman Empire

Tons of countries threatened to break away; Britain, France, and Russia want to benefit from the falling empire.

Boer War

was fought between Dutch settlers & the British in South Africa (1890s)

Sphere of influence

Foreign power gets exclusive rights

How did European Powers justify their imperial actions?

Through a combination of economic, political, racial, and religious beliefs