The Age of Imperialism

IMPERIALISM:

Britain was most powerful country

• Produced most goods
• Strong navy to protect assets
• Money to build factories, mines, & railroads worldwide

Others saw Britain's success and set out to acquire colonies

The race for colones grew out of economic competition AND nationalist pride

Technology was proof of superiority

• Western Europe had been industrialized and was loaded
• They believed they had a right and duty to bring "civilization" to others
• The lands they were conquering had not been industrialized
• Others were seen as barbaric
• This is a reflection of European racism

Some missionaries, such as David Livingstone, helped push for European expansion

Europeans and Americans were hungry for stories about these distant lands

Glorification of Imperialism

• Newspapers competed for readers
• Novels romanticized exploits

Rudyard Kipling

• Saw imperialism as a mission to civilize others
• Urged readers to "take up the white man's burden"

Europeans altered the way of life on every continent