Methods and Forms of Imperialism

Methods of Imperialism

• Methods used to achieve imperialism included enhancements in power sources, manufacturing, and faster transport.
• More powerful machines allowed for faster communication.
• Increased manufacturing led to more weapons and supplies, causing stronger militaries.
• Faster transportation facilitated quicker movement of troops and resources.
• Scientific advancements in medicine improved resistance to disease and recovery from injury, benefiting the population and army.
• Better agricultural methods led to improved health, and increased population size/military strength.
• Growing populations made people more vulnerable to exploitation through forced, low-cost labor in urban areas.

Forms of Imperialism

• Protectorate: A territory maintains its internal government, but under the control of a foreign power (e.g., Puerto Rico).
• Sphere of Influence: A region where a power has exclusive investment or trading privileges.
• Economic Imperialism: An independent country is controlled by private business interests instead of other governments (e.g., the Dole Fruit Company controlling pineapple trade in Hawaii).

Motives for Imperialism (EMPIRE)

• Economic: Driven by trade.
• Materialistic: Driven by acquiring resources.
• Political: Driven by government interests.
• Ideological: Driven by ideas or beliefs.
• Religious: Driven by spreading religion.
• Exploratory: Driven by an interest in discovery/exploration.

European Control of Africa (Early 1800s)

• Europeans had limited control in Africa as early as the 1450s.
• African forces successfully prevented European expansion for ~400 years.
• Difficult navigation of African rivers (rapids, cataracts, shifting flows) and disease (especially malaria) hindered early European exploration.
• Africans controlled their own trade networks and offered trade items.

The Scramble for Africa (1880s)

• The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) in South Africa sparked increased European interest.
• The Berlin Conference (1884), organized by Otto von Bismarck, set rules for the division of African land between European countries.
• European countries had to notify other nations of their land claims and demonstrate the ability to politically administer and militarily defend the area.

European Division of Africa

• European nations divided Africa without considering existing ethnic or linguistic groups.
• African rulers were not invited to participate in the division process.