The New Imperialism 1869 1914 MOTIVES for Imperialism

The “New” Imperialism – 1869 - 1914

MOTIVES for Imperialism • Political Motives – Status and Competition between nation-states • E. g. France after humiliating loss of Franco-Prussian War • British Protection of India, the “crown jewel” of the British Empire

Motives for Imperialism • Cultural Motives – Missionaries – spread Christianity through missionary work – Result: Loss of native cultures – Sometimes good? • • Child Brides Suttee Arranged Marriage Human Sacrifice

Motives for Imperialism • Cultural Motives – Exportation of “Civilization” • Abolition of slavery • Western Education • Hygiene and medicines

Motives for Imperialism • Cultural Motives – Technology and “Progress” • Humans as Masters over Nature • Technology as proof of superiority of West • “Savages” vs. “Civilized”: Eurocentricity • Easy military victories, use of newspapers to soften public opinion, e. g. Omdurman (1898)

Motives for Imperialism • Economic Motives – Industrialization: Demand for raw materials • Merchants wanted reliable sources • Military used as backup High Demand for Crops

New Imperialism – Motives and Methods • Seizure of Africa and Central Asia – 10 Million square miles, 150 million people Reorganization of Colonies in Asia and Africa King Leopold of Belgium demands the Congo “The Scramble For Africa”

Domination of Latin America • US’s Monroe Doctrine • Intervention in Latin America lead to economic imperialism • US in Philippines

Economic Dependencies • Latin America: supplier of foodstuffs and raw materials and consumers of manufactured products • Similar to old colonial relationships, but technically politically independent • Western corporations controlled economies, western armies defended their interests

The Imperialist’s Toolkit • • Naval and Steam power Suez Canal Telegraph cables Breech-Loading rifles – Smokeless powder = better visibility – Repeating rifles – 15 rounds in 15 seconds Gatling Guns