Imperialism and Berlin conference Flashcards
Scramble for africa, the berlin conference, imperial expansion
Economic motives for Imperialism
This was because the desire to identify and exploit profitable ventures overseas had remained after the early 19th century saw European overseas expansion decline. This was due to the fact that acquiring colonies offered European powers the opportunity to procure raw materials such as rubber from Congo, tea from India, palm oil from west Africa and silk from China.
Economic motives pt 2
As a result these industrialised nations such as Britain,Germany,Italy, France needed to find new markets to provide guaranteed markets for their industrial products which caused significant force in imperialism due to competition for raw materials. Britain had set the standard in empire building, with territories across the world and the world’s biggest economy.
Economic motives pt 3
The economic motive for imperial expansion was significant because it developed due to the industrial revolution based on mercantilism that had started in Britain. As the industrial revolution spread across Europe, Britain began to face growing competition from its European rivals and also from the USA
Economic motives pt 4
. Challenging this hegemony was a key factor in accelerating imperialism. This was because 45% of British cotton was exported to India. This highlighted the value of colonies to other states and China, with its population of 300 million, offered an opportunity to open lucrative new markets.
Economic motive pt 5
As a result, more and more countries were introducing tariffs as the possession of colonies was seen as the only way to guarantee access to vital raw materials needed by modern industrial economies. So overall Imperialism was a significant force because European states were expanding their trade and industry and looking for markets for the goods they manufactured.
Political motives for imperialism
This is because the late 19th century witnessed an increase of nationalism and presentation of imperialism as a social policy. This was seen when Many countries sought to increase their prestige by building empires, Germany and Italy were keen to establish as newly unified nation states, France was determined to recover from its humiliating defeat in the Franco- Prussian war and lastly Britain proudly boasted about the size of its empire and the power of its navy.
Political motives pt 2
Due to this growth of nationalism imperialism became a significant force because it led to strategic control of key regions. This was seen when Britain established a port in Cape colony in southern Africa to supply and protect its ships on the vital trade route. Britain also established the Suez Canal in Egypt which enabled European ships to travel to and from India and the Far east more quickly and cost effectively.
Political motives pt 3
Many historians believe the establishment of British control in Egypt encouraged other European nations to gain territory in Africa and as a result made imperialism a political motive for seeking overseas possessions. Imperialism was significant also because the governments portrayed it as beneficial to everyone, presenting it as a social policy. The governments were able to do so by missionaries spreading Christianity, civilising missions such as the ‘ White Man’s Burden’ and forcing a sense of national unity against prevailing Marxist.
Political motives pt 4
According to Cecil Rhodes imperialism diminished discontent due to a new sense of nationalism Overall political motives made imperialism a significant force in the late 19th century because of international diplomacy.
Technological advancements for imperialism
Technological advancements had motivated imperial expansion as it was now easier to explore Africa which was known as the Dark continent until the medical breakthrough in 1817. This is because in the late 18th century it was called the white man’s grave because of the dangers of diseases such as malaria until the medicine quinine discovered by French scientists led to the African interior becoming more accessible.
Technological advancement pt 2
The accessibility came about due to technological advancement created by the industrial revolution that had led to the introduction of new methods of producing iron and steel. This facilitated developments in railways and steamships, which made transport both quicker and safer. Iron-hulled, steam-driven ships were able to navigate rivers such as Congo, the Zambezi and the Niger offering easier access to the African interior.
Technological advancement pt 3
Additionally, a telegraph network was established in 1891 with its cables reaching from London to North and South America, India and New Zealand, which further encouraged imperial expansion as it made it easier for imperial nations to administer and control their overseas possessions. In addition, the development of fast firing rifles, machine guns and heavy artillery gave Europeans a distinct advantage over poorly armed African which encouraged more expansion as territory could be taken without little resistance.
Reasons for British support of imperial expansion
Britain supported overseas expansion in the 19th century, due to the British wanting to maintain its lead position in the world. This is because even before the emergence of new imperialism Britain possessed a vast overseas empire, far larger than that other European nation. The British people were accustomed to the fact that their country had influence in, and control over distant foreign lands.
Reasons for British support of imperial expansion pt 2
The empire was a symbol of national pride,power,and prestige was heavily stressed in numerous ways during the late 19th century. Due to this Britain’s original concern had been to protect its vital Indian Ocean trading routes, hence its interest in Egypt and South America. The discovery of gold, diamonds and other valuable minerals in the Transvaal alerted Britain to the economic rewards acquiring further land in Africa could bring them.
Reasons for British support in imperial expansion pt 3
Overseas expansion was supported in Britain because of this as Britain moved fast to secure as much as Africa as possible which is why in the last 20 years of the 19th century which accounted for more than 30% of Africa’s population in order to prevent other European countries, particularly France and Germany, from gaining these potentially mineral-rich areas.
