Imperialism

1. Political Causes

1.1. Cause: Claim land to gain power and prove selves to be a strong country. Each country wanted to have territory on as much of world as possible.

1.1.1. Negative Effect: Continents divided up by Euro powers so sometimes rival chiefdoms would be forced to come together. Positive Effect: Reduced local warfare.

1.2. Detail: Around 1830, world powers were attracted to its [Ottoman Empire] strategic location, and it represents geopolitics- an interest in or taking of land for its strategic location or products.

1.3. Atrocity Perspective: Because Europeans divided up the many ethnic groups of Africa while ignoring the previous political divisions during the mid-1800's, African people were most likely upset due to the European's actions. Inevitable Perspective: "It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory..." -Cecil Rhodes, he is saying that it's their job to get land and more territory.

2. Social Causes

2.1. Cause: Europeans viewed an empire as a measure of national greatness. As the competition for colonies intensified, each country was determined to plant its flag on much of the world as possible. Not only that, but they wanted to bring their own achievements over to the foreigners.

2.1.1. Negative Effect: Contempt for the traditional culture and admiration of European life undermined stable societies and caused identity problems for Africans. Positive Effect: Literacy rates improved due to schools and "westernization".

2.2. Detail: During the late 1800's, Europeans believed that they were better than other races. They believed that it was their job to bring the results of their progress to other countries and wanted to "Westernize" the peoples of the foreign land.

2.3. Atrocity Perspective: "However well educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered equal of the British officer." -Lord Kitchener, he is proving the point that Indians will always be lower than the British while they are there. Inevitable Perspective: "...more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honourable race the world possesses." -Cecil Rhodes, he is saying that it is their job to get more and more land to spread the English race and influence. Relates to the racism and Social Darwinism because they are the "most honorable race in the world".

3. Economic Causes

3.1. Cause: Industrialization stirred ambitions in many European nations because they wanted more resources to fuel their industrial production. As European nations industrialized, they searched for new markets and raw materials to improve their economies.

3.1.1. Negative Effect: Famines resulted from the change to cash crops in place of subsistence agriculture. Positive Effect: African products came to be valued on the international market.

3.2. Detail: Britain's interest in India began in the 1600's because of its economic potential. Around from 1757 to 1858, the Industrial Revolution had turned Britain into the world's workshop, and India was a major supplier of raw materials for that workshop. This is wall because the East India Company was founded.

3.3. Atrocity Perspective: Many Africans were exploited and died (up to 10 million) due to abuse in the 1860's. Humanitarians around the world demanded changes due to the cruel actions. Not only were they angry, the people of Africa probably were too. Inevitable Perspective: Europeans wanted to influence the lives of the natives more in economic ways. They wanted to shape the economies of the lands to benefit their own economies. They wanted to help the foreign people.