Although the industrial revolution and nationalism shaped European

society in the 19th century, imperialism-the domination by one country or

people over another group of people- dramatically changed the world during
the latter half of that century.
Imperialism did not begin in the nineteenth century. From the sixteenth
to the early nineteenth century, an era dominated by what is now termed
Old Imperialism, European nations sought trade routes with the Far East,
explored the New World, and established settlements in North and South
America as well as in Southeast Asia. They set up trading posts and gained
footholds on the coasts of Africa and China, and worked closely with the local
rulers to ensure the protection of European economic interests. Their
influence, however, was limited. In the Age of New Imperialism that began
in the 1870s, European states established vast empires mainly in Africa, but
also in Asia and the Middle East.
Causes:
Economy
a. Need for natural resources
b. Need for new markets
c. Place for growing population
d. Place to invest profits
Politics & Army
a. Bases for trade & navy ships
b. Power & security of global empire
c. Spirit of nationalism
Society
a. Wish to spread Christianity
b. Wish to share western civilization
c. Belief that western ways are best
d. White mans burden
i. Europeans had a responsibility to improve the lives of the
colonial peoples
ii. was based on the perceived inferiority of Asians and Africans.
It never considered the gratitude of Asians and Africans for
Europes help. It was expected that these areas would openly
embrace Western civilization. This attitude permeated
imperialism and there was never the belief that democracy
should be the form of government in Asia and Africa.
Science & innovation
a. New weapons
b. New medicines
c. Improved ships & railroads
d. Improved rifles
Consequences:
The new imperialism changed both Western society and its colonies. Through
it, Western countries established the beginning of a global economy in which
the transfer of goods, money, and technology needed to be regulated in an
orderly way to ensure a continuous flow of natural resources and cheap labor
for the industrialized world.