AMSCO AP World History 6.1

6.1: Rationales for Imperialism

Essential Question: What ideologies contributed to the development of imperialism between 1750 and 1900?

Intro:

Imperialist countries gave reasons for building empires by taking control over other places. (rationales) The rationales were an effect of imperialism but also inspired more expansion, especially with European Competition.

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1. Social Darwinism - belief system that applies the principles of Darwin’s theory to society. It suggests that natural selection determines who is strong and in power in society.
   • racist ideologies said white people were inherently better. It was a justification for imperialism because Social Darwinists believed the eventual extinction of the “inferior race” was necessary for progress.
2. Civilizing Mission - belief that it was their mission to bring the benefits of western civilization to the “primitive peoples.”
   • justified colonization because it legitimized the forced displacement of indigenous populations, destruction of societies, and imposition of western religion, language, and culture.
3. Nationalism - belief in the importance of one’s own nation and the promotion of its culture and values
   • justified imperialism by promoting the superiority of one’s own nation. Suggested it was the nation’s duty to spread western ideas to “less fortunate” peoples.

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International Interactions:

• The English Monarch granted the East India Company (often referred to as the British East India Company) a royal charter in 1600 by giving it a monopoly on England’s trade with India.
• The Dutch government gave the Dutch East India Company a monopoly on trade between the Cape of Good Hope (southern tip of Africa) and the Straits of Magellan (southern tip of South America)

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