Late-19th century imperialism

Definition

Late-19th century imperialism refers to the period from the 1870s to the early 20th century when European powers expanded their empires aggressively, acquiring territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. This era was characterized by the scramble for Africa, the rise of colonial administrations, and an emphasis on economic exploitation and cultural superiority as justifications for imperial expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting where European powers formalized their claims to African territories, leading to increased competition and colonization.
2. By 1914, nearly all of Africa had been claimed by European powers, with only Liberia and Ethiopia remaining independent.
3. Imperialism during this period was driven by economic motives, including the need for raw materials, new markets for goods, and investment opportunities.
4. Technological advancements like steamships and telegraphs allowed imperial powers to exert control over distant territories more effectively than ever before.
5. The cultural justification for imperialism often involved the belief in a civilizing mission, where Europeans felt it was their duty to spread Western values and institutions to 'less developed' societies.

Review Questions

• How did the Berlin Conference shape the landscape of African colonization during late-19th century imperialism?
  • The Berlin Conference established rules for the division of Africa among European powers, which significantly shaped colonial boundaries and relationships. It formalized claims and reduced conflicts between nations over territorial disputes. As a result, this led to the rapid colonization of almost the entire continent, creating borders that often disregarded existing ethnic and cultural divisions.
• Discuss how Social Darwinism influenced attitudes towards imperialism in the late-19th century.
  • Social Darwinism provided a pseudo-scientific rationale for imperialism by promoting the idea that certain races were superior to others. This belief justified the domination of 'weaker' societies by 'stronger' nations under the guise of civilizing missions. Imperialists used Social Darwinism to argue that their expansion was not only justified but necessary for human progress.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of late-19th century imperialism on former colonies and global relations in the 20th century.
  • The impacts of late-19th century imperialism were profound and long-lasting, leading to significant social, political, and economic changes in former colonies. Many nations faced challenges like arbitrary borders leading to ethnic conflicts and struggles for independence. The legacy of exploitation created deep-seated inequalities that affected post-colonial development. Moreover, the geopolitical tensions established during this era laid the groundwork for conflicts such as World Wars and ongoing global issues related to power dynamics between developed and developing nations.

Related terms

Scramble for Africa:

A period during the late 19th century when European nations competed to colonize and control African territories, leading to the division of the continent among major powers.

Social Darwinism:

An ideology that applied the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, used to justify imperialism by suggesting that stronger nations had a natural right to dominate weaker ones.

Colonialism:

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting its resources.