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.

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.

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)