III.

The Means: How Were the Europeans Able

to Acquire Their Empires?

1. ____________________________
_____________________________
2. ___________________________
______________________________

1. The Effects of the Agricultural and

Industrial Revolutions in Europe
A. Large Population growth and expanding
industries create strong economic base =
investment for exploration and overseas
trade.
B. Development of new scientific and military
enable Europeans to explore and conquer
Africa and Asia. (the Big Three: steam
engine, quinine, and machine gun)
The Big Three:
1. team engine
2.
3.

2. By 1870s Europe has Stabilized Politically,

Economically and Socially
A.

Strong and stable governments established in major European

states: Britain, France and Germany :

B.

No major wars on continent allow European powers to use

economic and military resources to:

C.

____________________ = European middle class supports their

government s policies of expansion overseas.

D.

Stable currency and rate of exchange in European countries helps

to finance colonial expansion: London becomes the:

IV. The Process: What were the patterns or

phases of imperial conquest in Africa and Asia?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1. The Traders
16th through 18th centuries
Europeans establish coastal
settlements and trading posts.
Trade with natives for goods
delivered from interior: gold, slaves,
ivory, rubber.
Little efforts made to penetrate into
mainland, Why?
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________

2. Explorers and Missionaries

Industrial Revolution drives efforts to
explore interiors of Africa and Asia to
gain resources.
Explorers usually sponsored by
European governments, sometimes
given license to claim territories:
Henry Morton Stanley

Explorers use force or reward to gain

access into local rulers territories.
Example:
Missionaries often supported by their
governments, attempt to instill
Christianity and European values and
stop the slave trade.
Some missionaries also mapped and
explored. Example:

3. Settlers and Commercial Groups

Once territories mapped out and

resources discovered settlers and
commercial groups move in.

They sign agreements with local

chiefs or rulers to acquire
resources, but usually at
disadvantage to native peoples.

Some commercial and business

activities provide opportunities for
native peoples, but some are
ruthless to gain resources.
Example:

Can be periods of peaceful

coexistence with natives, but
increased presence and greed of
Europeans usually leads to
conflict.

Dutch Boer farmers South Africa

Kimberly
Diamond Mines
Africa

Rubber Workers
Belgian Congo

4. Military Intervention
Increasing presence and
aggressiveness of Europeans
creates conflicts with local
peoples.
Settlers and commercial
groups appeal to their
governments for protection
Public opinion and national
interests force governments to
send in military to restore order

British rifle square Africa 1880s

Native resistance usually

crushed by Europeans :
Once conflict resolved,
European nations often annex
territories and maintain military
presence to keep order.

French storming Vietnamese fort 1870s

5. Colonies Established
European governments
establish permanent presence
and take administrative control
of territory.
Native rulers are deposed or
used for local control under
European administrators.
Colonial governments attempt
to provide infrastructure and
services:

Natives can benefit from

introduction of:

Imperialism from the Native Perspective

I know the white man s
game: First the traders and
missionaries, then the
businessmen, then the
soldiers and the guns. It is
better for us to go straight
to the guns
King Menelik II of Ethiopia 1870s

V. The Consequences of Imperialism Colonialism

1. Created international conflict and military competition
between major powers
2. Disrupted or destroyed traditional native ways of life.
3. Europeans often exploited resources without any
compensation to native peoples
4. Berlin Conference 1885 created artificial borders without
consideration of native populations
5. Positives: Did improve natives peoples lives in a number of
ways: medicine, sanitation, transportation, and legal
systems