7.6 - New Imperialism: Motivations and Methods

The New Wave of European Imperialism (Late 18th - Early 19th Century)

Overview:

• Focus: This period saw a new wave of European imperialism, concentrating on Africa and Asia.

• Definition: Imperialism is when one country extends political dominance over another.

Motivations for Imperialism:

1. Economic Motivations:

   • Industrial Revolution: European states, thriving in the Industrial Revolution, needed raw materials (e.g., cotton, rubber, iron) to fuel their factories and markets to sell their manufactured goods.

   • Resource Exploitation: Once European nations exhausted their domestic resources, they sought materials abroad. For example, after the British took control of India post-Sepoy Rebellion (1857), they exploited India’s resources, particularly cotton, and used the large Indian population as a market for British goods.

   • Colonization in Africa: The British colonized parts of West Africa and large territories along the eastern side of Africa to access raw materials like coal, oil, and copper.

   • Economic Imperialism in China: The British, facing an unfavorable trade balance with China, began smuggling opium into the country. This led to widespread addiction in China and eventually the Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860), where Britain forcibly opened Chinese markets to British goods.

2. Political Motivations:

   • Scramble for Africa: European powers, including the French, Dutch, and Belgians, scrambled to claim African territories, leading to tensions among them. The mapping of Africa’s interior by agents of Belgian King Leopold accelerated this race.

   • Power and Prestige: Nations competed for territories to enhance their global influence and prestige, leading to a fierce competition for colonies.

3. Belief in Racial Superiority:

   • Social Darwinism: By the late 19th century, the idea of Social Darwinism took root, justifying the domination of “strong” European nations over “weaker” ones in Africa and Asia.

   • Civilizing Mission: Europeans believed they were bringing the benefits of Western civilization to “primitive” societies. The French called this mission mission civilisatrice (civilizing mission), while Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The White Man’s Burden” reflected the belief that it was the duty of Europeans to civilize non-Western peoples.

European Advantages in Imperialism:

1. Advanced Weaponry:

   • Rifled Barrels and Minié Balls: These technological advancements made European guns more accurate and deadly.

   • Breech-Loading Rifles and Machine Guns: These innovations allowed faster reloading and rapid-fire capabilities, giving Europeans a significant advantage in combat.

2. Communication and Transportation:

   • Telegraph: The ability to send messages quickly over long distances, including underwater cables, allowed better coordination in conquering and maintaining territories.

   • Railroads: The construction of railroads in colonies facilitated the transport of raw materials and goods, further strengthening European control.

3. Medical Advancements:

   • Quinine: The discovery that quinine could fend off malaria allowed Europeans to penetrate the interior of Africa, previously inaccessible due to the disease.

   • Germ Theory and Antiseptics: Louis Pasteur’s germ theory revolutionized medical care, enabling European troops to remain healthier and more resilient during imperial conquests.