Economic Interests

1
Economic Interests

• The industrial revolution created the need for
  raw materials (rubber, petroleum, etc.) as well
  as expanded markets. Industrial nations were
  also looking for an outlet for their expanding
  populations!

2
Political and Military Interests

• Steam-powered merchant ships and navies needed
  bases around the world to take on coal and
  supplies. Nationalism also contributed to the
  competition- the desire of having the biggest
  empire

3
Humanitarian Goals

• Missionaries, doctors, and colonial officials
  believed they had a duty to spread what they saw
  as the blessings of western civilization,
  including its medicine, law, and Christian
  religion.

4
Social Darwinism

• Behind the idea of a civilizing mission was a
  growing sense in the west of racial superiority.
  Many applied Darwins ideas about natural
  selection to justify imperial conquest and
  conquest of other races.

5
Colony

• Imperial (mother country) powers controlled the
  governments of their colonies
• Could be direct (France)
• Could be indirect (Britain)

6
Protectorate

• A local (native) ruler was left in place but was
  expected to take the advice of European advisers
  on issues of trade or missionary activity.

7
Sphere of Influence

• An area in which an outside power claimed
  exclusive investment or trading privileges.

8
Key Terms

• Imperialism The domination by one country of the
  political, economic, or cultural life of another
  country or region.
• New Imperialism The aggressive expansion of
  European nations due to new economic and military
  strength and economic interests in the 1800s
  (and into the 1900s)
• Direct Rule Colonial rule where officials are
  sent from the imperial power to administer the
  colony. Commonly used by France.
• Indirect Rule Colonial rule where local rulers
  are used as agents in governing. Local children
  are encouraged to get an education in / by the
  imperial power thus grooming the next generation
  to become agents of indirect rule and western
  civilization. (Britain used this.)