Name:___________________________________________ Period:___________

New Imperialism DBQ

The Industrial Revolution equipped Europe with new
technology, industry, transportation, communication, and
scientific techniques. Armed with these new items, they
left their ports for destinations throughout the world to
exert their power and gain valuable resources.

Write an essay based on the following arguments and

prompt. Use the side box for notes.

1. Analyze the various reasons why European nations

sought out colonies overseas and what reasons they gave for doing so.

In your response you should do the following.

 Respond to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis or claim that establishes a line
of reasoning.
 Describe a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
 Support an argument in response to the prompt using at least six documents.
 Use at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence (beyond that found in the
documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt.
 For at least three documents, explain how or why the document’s point of view, purpose,
historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.
 Use evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the prompt.

Document 1: Lord Frederick Lugard, British empire builder.

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 necessary 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
simulate trade by finding new markets.

Document 2: “The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling

Take up the White Man’s burden – in patience to abide,

To veil the treat of terror – and check the show of pride;
By open speech and simple – An hundred times made plain,
To seek another’s profit – and work another’s gain.
Name:___________________________________________ Period:___________

Document 3: 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.

Document 4: Indian nationalists Dadabhai Naoroji

[Indians] call the British system, ‘Sakar ki Churi’ the knife of sugar.
That is to say, there is no oppression, it is all smooth and sweet, but it is
the knife notwithstanding.

Document 5: South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, 1984

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the
land. They said ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes. When we opened
them, we had the Bible and they had the land.

Document 6: Sekou Toure, an African nationalist

Colonialism’s greatest misdeed was to have tried to strip us of our

responsibility in conducting our own affairs and convince us that our
civilization was nothing less than savagery, thus giving us complexes
which led to our being branded as irresponsible and lacking in self-
confidence.
Name:___________________________________________ Period:___________
Document 7: British governor-general of Nigeria, Frederick D.
Lugard, The Rise of Our East African Empire, 1893
Even the less advanced and more primitive tribes may be equally
benefited, if not only mechanical and artisan work, such as the
carpenter’s and blacksmith’s craft, but also the simpler ways of
agriculture are taught. The sinking of wells, the system of irrigation, the
introduction and planting of useful trees, the use of manure, and of
domestic animals for agricultural purposes, the improvement of his tools
by the introduction of the primitive Indian plough, etc. – all of these,
while improving the status of the native, will make his land more
productive, and hence, by increasing his surplus products, will enable
him to purchase from the trader the cloth which shall add to his decency,
and the implements and household utensils which shall produce greater
results for his labor and greater comforts in his social life.

Document 8: Carl Peters, German author, Die Gründung van

Deutsch-Ostafrika (The Foundation of German East Africa), 1906

In the partition of the earth, as it has proceeded from the beginning of

the fifteenth century up to our times, the German nation received
nothing. All the remaining European culture-bearing peoples possess
areas outside our continent where their languages and customs can take
firm root and flourish. The moment that the German emigrant leaves the
borders of the Reich behind him, he is a stranger sojourning on foreign
soil. The German Reich, great in size and strength through its bloodily
achieved unity, stands in the leading position among the continental
European powers: her sons abroad must adapt themselves to nations
which look upon us with either indifference m even hostility. For
centuries the great stream of German emigration has been plunging
down into foreign races where it is lost sight of. Germandom outside
Europe has been undergoing a perpetual national decline...

The Society for German Colonization aims to undertake on its own, in a

resolute and sweeping manner, carefully chosen colonization projects
and thereby supplement the ranks of organizations with similar
tendencies. Its particular tasks will be:
1. to provide necessary sums of capital for colonization;
2. to seek out and lay claim to suitable districts for colonization;
3. to direct German emigrants to these regions

Document 9: A Sikkimese Woman Carrying a European on her

Name:___________________________________________ Period:___________
Back
Name:___________________________________________ Period:___________

Grading

_____ (0-1 point) Thesis/Claim

 Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line
of reasoning.

_____ (0-1 point) Contextualization

 Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.

_____ (0-3 points) Evidence

 Uses the content of at least three documents to address the topic of the prompt.
 Supports an argument in response to the prompt using at least six documents.
 Uses at least one additional piece of the specific historical evidence (beyond that found in
the documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt.

_____ (0-2 points) Analysis and Reasoning

 For at least three documents, explains how or why the document’s point of view,
purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.
 Demonstrates a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of
the prompt, using evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses
the question.

Areas for Improvement

Areas of Mastery