The New Imperialism 4:The Age of Imperialism

What details under Western Advantages support the idea that superior weaponry helped Western imperialism spread?

The Maxim machine gun, repeating rifles, and steam-driven warships are all mentioned as strong arguments in persuading Africans and Asians to accept Western control.

What were the long-term effects of imperialism on the colonized peoples?

Their culture was changed to reflect Western beliefs, they adopted European ideas of nationalism, and their economies focused on cash crops. Many non-Westerners were robbed of their cultural heritage.

How did Western imperialism spread through Africa and Asia so quickly?

Westerners had stronger economies, governments, and technology, along with the necessary military power.

What main factors contributed to European imperialism in the 1800s?

economic motives, political and military missions, humanitarian and religious beliefs, and Social Darwinist ideas

What factors drove the new imperialism in the 1800s?

money, economic interests, access to natural resources and new customers, military bases, nationalism

-Chief Kabongo of the Kikuyu in Kenya

"A Pink Cheek man came one day to our Council . . . and he told us of the King of the Pink Cheek who . . . lived in a land over the seas. 'This great king is now your king,' he said. This was strange news. For this land was ours. . . . We had no king, we elected our Councils and they made our laws. With patience, our leading Elders tried to tell this to the Pink Cheek. . . . But at the end he said, 'This we know, but in spite of this what I have told you is a fact. You have now a king . . . and his laws are your laws.'"

-Cecil Rhodes

"I contend that we are the first race in the world and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race. I contend that every acre added to our territory provides for the birth of more of the English race, who otherwise would not be brought into existence. . . . I believe it to be my duty to God, my Queen, and my country to paint the whole map of Africa red, red from the Cape to Cairo. That is my creed, my dream and my mission."

Consider why you think the speaker, a European, believes that his country has the right to land already occupied by native peoples.

"There are some who say we have no right to Africa at all, that it 'belongs to the natives.' I hold that our right is the necessity that is upon us to provide for our ever-growing population—either by opening new fields for emigration, or by providing work and employment ... and to stimulate trade by finding new markets." -Lord Frederick Lugard Frederick believed his country had the right to Africa due to necessity because of a over-growing population.

How did the Industrial Revolution lead to the new imperialism?

As Western nations industrialized, they needed to acquire sources of raw materials and new markets for their products. The colonies provided these raw materials, as well as new customers.

Think about each group of people listed. What was the motivation for each group to go to the colonies? What roles did each group play? How might the goals of these groups conflict with each other? Would one group have a better chance at success? Explain your opinion.

Each group had different goals, such as making profits for traders and spreading religious ideas for missionaries. These goals could conflict with each other if two groups, such as soldiers and missionaries, tried to accomplish different ends among the same group of people.

How did Social Darwinism play a role in the new imperialism?

Europeans thought their racial superiority entitled them to dominate what they saw as weaker races by the law of nature.

Compare and contrast how Britain and France ruled their colonies.

France practiced direct rule, whereas Britain often used indirect rule through a local ruling class.

How did growing cash crops like coffee change colonized people's lives?

Growing cash crops meant they didn't grow food to eat, so they had to buy or trade for food and sometimes endure famines.

What problems might an outside country create if it draws borders without understanding local political or ethnic situations?

If borders separate close political or ethnic groups, those groups will be unhappy and might have more reason to revolt against the outside power. Placing rival political or ethnic groups within the same borders might create conflict that could have been avoided.

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How was setting up a protectorate different from practicing direct rule?

In a protectorate, the Western country left a local ruler in place. This ruler was supposed to listen to European advisers on certain issues, such as trade. When using direct rule, the Western country sent its own officials to run the colony.

How did race factor into the relationship between British men like Rhodes and African leaders like Chief Kabongo?

My Answer: Both races saw the other as beneath them. Answer: Cecil Rhodes believed that he was part of a superior race and that being part of that race justified imperialism. Chief Kabongo, who refers to a Western visitor as a Pink Cheek man, is angry with the Westerners who seized power from the local people.

How does Chief Kabongo respond to imperialists in his land?

My Answer: he responded with discontent and unruliness. Answer: : Chief Kabongo tells the "Pink Cheek man" that Africans elect their own leaders and make their own rules. The Westerners insist that Africans follow laws made by a faraway king.

What reasoning does Cecil Rhodes use to justify imperialism?

My Answer: that imperialism is better for the human race and that it was his duty to use this for the government. Answer: Rhodes is using the ideas of Social Darwinism—he believes that the English are superior to other races, and so they should spread across the world to make the whole world better. He thinks that the more English people there are, the better the world will be.