motives for imperialism

Question 1

what are the economic motives for imperialism

Answer 1

-industrialization (1870-1875) in britain , france and germany
-the long depression 1873-1896
-the competition for raw materials

Question 2

industrialization in britain

Answer 2

britain was the first country to go through industrial revolution.
industrialisation led to the development of steam-powered machinery that reformed britain’s textiles industries and new techniques for producing iron and steel were were discovered.

railways and steamships allowed britain to transport its products.

Question 3

industrialization in france

Answer 3

-industrialisation led to france developing the second most powerful navy in the world between 1850-1870

Question 4

industrialization in germany

Answer 4

by 1850 germany had been transformed by the development of of railways.
by 1871 it had emerged to a serious industrial challenger to britain

Question 5

Industrialization as a motive for imperialism

Answer 5

-Goods were being mass produced due to the industrial revolution and it became essential to find new markets to sell these goods.

Question 6

the long depression 1873 to 1896 as a motive for imperialism

Answer 6

this was a period of price deflation from 1873-1896 it enhansed imperial expansion.

the overproduction of goods was outweighing the demand in europe and the usa.
this forced businessmen to lower their prices which led to declining wages and job loses.
Governments were under pressure to fix their economies which resulted in the competition for new overseas possessions for markets and industrial products

Question 7

competitions for raw materials and markets as a motive for imperialism

Answer 7

european powers needed to find new markets for their products and also new sources of raw materials

they needed materials like; cotton , copper and tin . Which could be found in large quantities in Africa and Asia
-Cotton could be found in Mozambique
-Copper in SA
-Rubber in Congo

Question 8

what were the political motives for imperial expansion

Answer 8

-growth of nationalism
-imperialism as a social policy
-strategic control of key regions

Question 9

define growth of nationalism as a Political motive for imperialism

Answer 9

nationalism is a sense of belonging to a nation and supporting its interests.
it played a role in motivating european countries to expand their empires

there was an increase in nationalism and Germany , France and the
USA were keen to establish themselves as newly unified nations

European governments portrayed overseas possessions as a symbol of national pride and power.France’s government for example argued that it was their destiny to be superior to other nations

Question 10

imperialism as a social policy - Political motive

Answer 10

imperialism took the focus way from social injustices
By 1970 political power was largely in the hands of the wealthy (this were landowners and businessmen) .However industrialisation led to the emergence of a large and organized working class , who threatened the wealthy landowners/businessmen and demanded social , political and economic reform. To reduce this threat governments painted imperialism as beneficial to everyone.They argued that imperialism would provide them with finances to pay for the social reform and improve the lives of the working class.

Question 11

strategic control of key regions as Political motive for imperialism

Answer 11

Imperialism made trading quicker , easier and cheaper for example :

Trading with India and the far East before 1869 involved a lengthy and dangerous journey around the southern tip of Africa
however between 1859-1869 the suez canal company made a canal that linked the Mediterranean sea and the Red sea. This helped European ships travel to and from India and The far East cheaper and quicker

Question 12

social motives for imperial expansion

Answer 12

-Social darwinism
-Missionary and humanitarian motives

Question 13

Social Darwinism as a social motive for imperialism

Answer 13

This was the belief that certain races and nations were inherently superior and that it was their duty to dominate and civilise less advanced peoples.

Question 14

White man’s burden

Answer 14

Europeans felt superior to the natives and felt that they needed to bring western culture and civilize /educate the ‘savage’ people

Question 15

Missionary and Humanitarian motives as a social motive for imperialism

Answer 15

-Some Christian missionaries believed that it was their moral duty to spread Christianity and western values.

Question 16

why did people oppose imperialism
(not support/like)

Answer 16

-they believed it was morally wrong to seize control over a territory

• imperialism harmed britain , economically , politically and socially

-advantages of having overseas territories were outweighed by the cost of maintaining them

• it increased tensions with other european nations

-the high expenditure needed to maintain territories made it impossible to to alleviate the conditions of the working class ( this is why working class people didn’t support imperialism)
-liberals believed the economic policies associated with imperialism were short sighted.

• ## it increased taxes on imports from rival european countries

Question 17

why did the british support imperialism

Answer 17

• belief that empire was a symbol of national pride , power and prestige
• schools encouraged nationalism by displaying flags of the british empire in classrooms
• british believed that it was their duty to civilize african/asian people who they saw as less developed

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Question 18

why did the french support imperialism

Answer 18

-french pride was damaged after they lost the franco -prussian war 1870-71 and having territories was seen as a way of restoring french prestige.

• nationalism
  -they believed imperialism would enhance frances wealth and help it improve the standard of living of the working class

-they believed them the superior race had a right over the inferior races because they had the responsibility to civilise them

-french nationalists believed that imperialism could bring economic benefits to france.

Question 19

why did the germans support imperialism

Answer 19

• German businessmen believed that they would gain from imperialism
• German missionaries believed that imperialism would bring christianity to ‘heathen’ populations

-German nationalists believed that imperialism could help unite the diverse german states and populations

-Germans were influenced by the scientific community which promoted the ideas of the study of new lands and people