Imperialism Flashcards
Imperialism
the policy of one country’s political, economic, or cultural domination over other lands and territories
New Imperialism
a period in which industrial nations scrambled for territories that would provide them with raw materials and serve as markets for their manufactured goods
Berlin Confrence
European powers met in 1884 in Berlin without any Africans
Agreed on free trade in the Congo and Niger River’s
Would exert powers over local rulers and people
What is the White Man’s Burden?
The feel that white people have to colonize everything and make everyone understand the “ways of the whites”
Political and Military
Steam powered merchant ships and naval vessels needed bases around the word to take on coal and supplies.
Industrial powers seized islands and harbors to satisfy your needs
Controlling overseas lands created competition between nations
Western Advantages
Well organized governments
Strong economies
Powerful armies and navies
Superior technology (riverboats and the telegraph)
Medical knowledge
New Weaponry ( Maxim guns, war ships, repeat rifles)
Protectorate
Local rulers were left in place but were expected to follow advice of European advisors on issues such as trade or missionary activity.
Sphere of Influence
an area in which an outside power claimed exclusive investment or trading privileges
Effects for Imperialism
Affected political, economic, and social life of societies around the world
Set up gov’ts that reflected European values not the same as locals
Lumped people together with no commonalities
Created tension in controlled lands
Expectations of Economic Changes by Euoropeans
Europeans expected colonies to be profitable
Europeans developed cash crops where mineral resources were lacking
Cons of Economic Changes
Colonies provided raw materials for factories of industrial powers
Industrialized nations sold products to colonies
Made colonies dependant on industrialized nations
Social and Cultural Changes
People produced goods they needed or traded for goods they could not produce
To earn money, men would take jobs in distant mines or plantations
Missionaries set up schools that emphasized western superiority
King Leopoldo II
hired a journalist to explore the Congo River Basin
Scramble for Africa
Conquest and Profit of Africa
Copper, Rubber, and Ivory
