The New Imperialism

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Imperialism, or the “old” imperialism, flourished during the age of exploration and discovery (1450-1650), particularly in the Americas and parts of Asia. It was characterized by the establishment of trading posts in Africa and Asia, and small colonies in North and South America. It did not necessarily involve a belief in racial superiority. A general decline in imperialistic activity occurred after the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815, as European governments concentrated on internal problems and industrial growth. The term "New Imperialism" refers to the policy of imperialcolonial expansion adopted by Europe's powers and later the United States during the late 19th and early 20thcenturies. The goal of the new imperialism was to economically exploit the natural resources of an area through control of territory, and to establish colonies as markets for manufactured goods. Some new imperialists were humanitarians who opposed the slave trade and sought to bring medical care or Christianity to “heathen” peoples. The new imperialism appeared in areas with well-developed civilizations, such as India and China. The period of “new imperialism” lasted approximately from the Franco-Prussian War to World War I (c. 1871 - 1914). The period is distinguished by the pursuit of "empire for empire's sake," aggressive competition for overseas territory (for economic reasons, and reasons of national pride) and the emergence in colonizing countries of doctrines of racial superiority. Racist doctrines practiced by all of the colonizing powers denied the fitness of colonial peoples for self-government, holding that native peoples were too “child-like” or too simple

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to effectively rule themselves. It was the duty of the colonizing nations to take up “the white man’s burden” (as English poet Rudyard Kipling called it) and bring civilization to the “backward” areas of the globe. In response to the near-outbreak of war between European powers over colonies, the Berlin Conference was held in Berlin, Germany in 1884 - 1885. It was there that Europeans divided Africa into “spheres of influence.” Englishwriters have sometimes described elements of this period as the "era of empire for empire's sake," "the great adventure," and "the scramble for Africa." During this period, European nations added 20% of the Earth's landarea (nearly 23,000,000 km) to their overseas colonial holdings (primarily occupying land in Africa). As it was mostly unoccupied by the Western powers as late as the 1880s, Africa became the primary target of the "new" imperialist expansion, although conquest took place also in other areas, notably Southeast Asia and the East Asian seaboard, where the United States and Japan joined the European scramble for colonies.

  1. All of the following were motives of the “new” imperialism EXCEPT
  2. spreading Christianity.
  3. capture new sources of raw materials.
  4. to bring “civilization” native populations.
  5. to learn more about native peoples.
  1. Which of the following was the main target of the “new imperialism”?
  2. Australia
  3. South America
  4. Africa
  5. China
  1. What is the importance of the Berlin Conference?
  2. European nations agreed to divide Africa between themselves.
  3. African nations agreed to be ruled by technologically advanced European nations.
  4. European nations agreed to send Christian missionaries to Africa.
  5. European nations signed trade agreements with each other and with African nations.

Flesch-Kincaid 12.0