Background of Imperialism

1. Imperialism- A policy of conquering and ruling other lands.

2. By the 19th century, about 1/4 of the world's land and people lived under British rule

3. Colonies benefitted their rulers by--

 

A. Having someone to sell goods to without taxes. (Other countries were now taxing British goods to protect their own factories.)

 

B. Additional markets to sell goods.

 

C. It gave them raw materials (British isles had not nearly enough materials it needed to produce goods.)

 

4. Many other nations (France, Spain, Portugal, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Germany, US, Japan for example) joined the colonial race!! It was a measure of national stature , national pride, and economic competition.

 

5. New technology and weapons encouraged Europeans to think they had a right to conquer other countries. Their tools were "proof of progress". This is how they rationalized the imperialistic dealings.

 

6. Many missionaries thought European rule was the way to end "evil practices" such as the slave trade. ie. Dr. Livingstone I presume. He was involved in ending the E. African slave trade.

 

7. IMPERIALISM HAD MASS APPEAL

 

A. In the late 1800's people were eager to read about adventure in distant lands.

 

B. Newspapers sent out reporters all over the globe for stories of adventure, mystery, or excitement. Ex. Henry Stanley newspaper reporter in search of Dr. Livingsstone I presume?

 

C. Novels and poetry also glorified imperialism.

ex. Rudyard Kipling "The Jungle Book" He appealed to his readers sense of adventure and feeling of supperiority. He saw imperialism as a mission to civilize non Europeans. (Very ethnocentric)

Kipling also wrote, "How the Camel got His Hump." Story of work ethic.

 

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