New Imperialism: Motives and Historical Debate

• Imperialism is when a strong country seeks to expand its territory and dominate others politically, economically, or socially, also referred to as colonialism.
• New or modern imperialism was from 1850/70 to 1914/45 and involved European powers, the USA, and Japan increasing their power and influence.

Historical Debate

• Some believe new imperialism was a continuation of earlier European expansion, while others argue it was fundamentally different.

Differences Between Old and New Imperialism

• New imperialism focused on Africa and Asia, not just America.
• Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA were new imperial powers.
• Colonial acquisitions occurred at a faster rate.

Motives and Causes of New Imperialism

Economic Factors

• Industrial revolution created need for raw materials like cotton, rubber, copper, and tin for industries such as textile, electrical and automotive.
• New markets were needed to sell manufactured goods due to overproduction.
• Entrepreneurs sought new places to invest profits, fueled by the Long Depression of 1873-1896.
• Colonies provided tea, silk (Asia), palm oil (West Africa), and diamonds (South Africa).
• Economic growth from imperialism would help prevent workers' revolutions.

Political Factors

• Colonies were a source of national prestige.
• Rivalry among European powers led to colonization for competition, not just economic reasons.
• Strategic naval bases were needed worldwide for refueling coal-powered ships and protecting trade routes, such as British colonization of Egypt for the Suez Canal.

Ideological Factors

• Belief in racial superiority (racism) was a key factor.
• Applying Darwin's theories led to social darwinism, was the idea that only the fittest societies/races survive.
• Western societies thought it was therefore their right to subjugate and civilize other societies.
• Missionaries aimed to convert people to Christianity and end practices such as slave trade.

What Made 'New' Imperialism Possible?

Technological Advancements

• New transportation and communication increased control, such as steamships, railroads and the telegraph.
• New weapons, like machine guns, aided in intimidation and subjugation.

Medical Developments

• New medicines, like quinine, reduced health risks in tropical regions.

Explorers/Missionaries

• They ventured into regions, mapped them, secured treaties, gathered information, and made acquiring territories easier.

Consequences of Imperialism

The Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa

• Before 1880, only 10% of Africa was controlled by Europeans; by 1914, they controlled 90%.
• The Berlin Conference in 1884-85 aimed to prevent conflict among European powers.
• Rules for dividing Africa were established and borders were arbitrarily drawn without geographical knowledge.
• Ethnic groups were split or combined, contributing to conflict and instability.

Imperialism: Disaster or Benefit?

• It is too complex to be analyzed as simply good or bad.
• Empires were not singular phenomena, but were affected by encounters between diverse sets of individuals and groups.

Long Term effects from Imperialism

• Although railroads, education, and healthcare were introduced, they primarily served colonizers' interests.
• Colonial rule had a clear hierarchy as Europeans were at the top and they exploited the resources.
• Food crops were replaced by cash crops, forcing Africans to become cheap labor.
• Local traditions were discouraged, replaced by Western habits.
• It shaped European culture, ideas about race, gender, and class.

Leopold II and Congo - Case Study

Timeline

• 1860s: Leopold's attempts to persuade the Belgian government to get involved in colonial expansion failed.
• 1876-1884:He formed the International African Association (IAA) and used it to extend his power in the Congo Basin.
• Leopold hired Stanley, who established treaties on Leopold's behalf.
• 1884-1885: At the Berlin Conference, Leopold was recognized as the sovereign of the Congo Free State, which became his personal property.
• 1885-1908: Leopold and other companies made fortunes using forced labor to harvest resources.
• 1904: The Casement Report exposed the exploitation in the Congo Free State.
• 1908: Leopold was forced to relinquish control, and the Congo became a Belgian colony
• 1960: The Democratic Republic of the Congo became independent.

Remembering the Congo

• Initial ignorance led to myths in favor of its civilizing mission
• As of Today, however, a more critical stance toward the colonial past has developed.