Imperialism

Shivani Katbamna


 *  How and in what ways were economic and political factors responsible for intensifying European imperialist activity in Africa from the mid-19th century to the beginning of WWI? **

Thesis: European countries sought to expand their empires and exploit both the indigenous and the resources of their colonies during the mid-19th century to the beginning of WW1.

I. Political Factors
 * White Man's Burden: superior races (Europeans) had a moral responsibilty to civilize ignorant people
 * colonies= prestige
 * Europeans would be strengethened because of the colonies
 * Competed with other Euro nations for land
 * More land and colonies: more respect
 * Labor from the citizens' of the colonies

II. Economic Factors: > > > > > > > []
 * resources not found in Europe were found in the colonies: rubber, tin, and oil
 * gold and silver from colonines made mother countries rich
 * Trade Companies (East India Trade Company)
 * captilists invested abroad
 * Marxists associated imperialism with downfall of capitilism