Imperialism: Causes, Empires, and Consequences 1870-1914

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 in Building and Civil Works

What is Imperialism?

Imperialism refers to the territorial expansion of industrial countries (the USA, Japan, and Europe) across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Ocean between 1870 and 1914. It is characterized by:

  • Rapid Expansion: Industrial countries conquered 66% of the world in just 20 years.
  • Multiple Empires: Twelve colonial empires were formed, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the USA, Russia, Great Britain, and Denmark.

Causes of Imperial Expansion

  • Investment Opportunities: European capitalists sought to invest in new territories. This explains the British presence in India.
  • New Markets and Resources: Empires were created to find new markets where Western capitalists could sell their products and acquire raw materials and food. This explains imperialism in India and China.
  • International Prestige: Some countries formed empires to gain international prestige or prevent other countries from expanding, such as Great Britain in Egypt (to prevent France from expanding from Tunisia).
  • Cultural Superiority: European culture considered itself more advanced and believed it had a duty to spread its influence globally. This led to exploration and conquest in Africa, exemplified by figures like Livingstone.
  • Emigration: Colonies were attractive destinations for European emigrants during times of economic crisis, as seen in the case of the USA or Algeria.

The Berlin Conference

Until 1884, European presence in Africa was limited to coastal colonies related to ports and the slave trade. However, in 1884, King Leopold II of Belgium decided to conquer the Congo River and establish an empire.

From this point on, European countries established themselves in Africa through violent means, which could have led to serious wars. Otto von Bismarck convened a meeting in Berlin to reach an agreement on the conquest of Africa.

Some countries presented projects to form empires or claimed historical rights dating back to the 15th century, but these were rejected. Ultimately, each country’s existing presence in Africa was accepted, but they were required to form their own empires.

The Main Colonial Empires

  • The British Empire

    The largest colonial empire, spanning 30 million km2. The most important area was the Hindu Raj, comprising India, Pakistan, Burma, and Bangladesh. In Africa, Britain formed a continuous empire from Egypt to South Africa. It also controlled Australia, Canada, and some Caribbean islands.

  • The French Empire

    Spanning 10 million km2. In Africa, France aimed to establish a continuous empire from Dakar, Senegal, to Djibouti but was stopped in Fashoda (Sudan) in 1898. However, France controlled Algeria, Morocco, and Madagascar. In Asia, it held Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos).

  • Italy

    Italy conquered parts of Africa, including Libya and Somalia, to gain international prestige.

  • Germany

    In Africa, Germany acquired Cameroon, Togo, Tanganyika, and Namibia. In the Pacific, it purchased some islands from Spain. However, it lost all its colonies after its defeat in the First World War.

  • Russia

    Russia expanded eastward to reach the Pacific, conquering the Caucasus and Central Asia.

  • Japan

    Japan began to establish an empire to avoid being conquered by others. The wars against China (1894-1895) and Russia (1904-1905) were crucial for control over Korea and some Pacific islands.

  • China

    China did not establish an empire but was economically conquered after its defeat against Britain in the Opium War (1839-1842). Following its defeat against Japan, China was divided into economic spheres of influence by Britain, France, and Germany. The Chinese resisted this domination in the Boxer War (1899-1900) but were unsuccessful.

Consequences of Imperialism

  • Rivalry Between Imperial Powers: This was a major contributing factor to the First World War.
  • Violent Mindset: Imperialism fostered a violent mindset that considered war inevitable.
  • Colonial Control: Colonies were controlled by a minority that imposed European culture. Native populations were relegated to second-class status.