Imperialism

What is Imperialism?

◦Began circa 1875.

◦A renewed race for colonies.

◦Mainly economic - about the possession or control of an area for economic gain.

◦Involved spheres of influence and extraterritoriality instead of colonial settlement or direct control.

◦Colonies represented economic and political power.

How was Imperialism different from earlier Colonialism?

◦Earlier Colonialism often involved setting up colonies and exercising direct control (as inferred from the comparison in the source).

◦Imperialism was no longer about setting up colonies or exercising direct control over areas.

◦Imperialism was mostly economic.

What spurred Imperialism?

◦Needs created by the Industrial Revolution.

◦Need for new markets for finished goods.

◦Need for new sources of raw materials.

◦Nationalism.

What were the Economic Motives for Imperialism?

◦Finding Markets for finished goods (like British products in China and India).

◦Acquiring Sources of raw materials (such as cotton from Egypt, rubber and tin from Malaya, oil from the Middle East).

◦Making Capital investments (investing profits from the Industrial Revolution into things like mines and railroads in unindustrialized areas).

What were the Political Motives for Imperialism?

◦Nationalism or national pride.

◦Large empires increased national pride (related to ideas like "The sun never sets on the British empire").

◦Gaining influence over areas of the world to protect national interests.