Name ______________________________

Date ___________________ Pd ________

Motivations for Imperialism
I. European Imperialism
A. From 1850 to 1914, the strong, ________________________ nations of Europe used _____________________________ to seize
colonies & dominate the local gov’ts & __________________________ in Africa & Asia
B. Reasons for European Imperialism
1. Political: Nationalism & Power
a. _________________________ in Europe meant that each nation wanted to become the most _______________________
b. Having a lot of _________________________________________ showed power
c. This turned into an all-out _______________ for the best & most numerous colonies in ________________ & ___________
2. Economic: Industrialization, New Markets, Raw Materials
a. The ____________________________________ led to a huge demand for _____________________________________ so
countries could make more ______________________-produced goods
b. The Industrial Revolution caused a huge demand for new overseas __________________ to ________ their finished goods
c. Having numerous colonies in ______________ & _____________ helped fuel the Industrial Revolution
3. Social: Christianity & Ideology
a. Christian ________________________________ wanted to convert the “_______________________” natives in the world
by creating churches, ___________________, & hospitals
b. Europeans believed in an idea called “____________________________________” that argued that __________________
were the most evolved & _______________________ race
c. Europeans believed in the “____________________________________” that they had a responsibility to civilize the world
C. Forms of Imperialism
1. Colony: Europeans seize a territory & ___________________________________________ by sending governors to the colony
2. Protectorate: Local gov’t exists, but Europeans make ___________________________________ in order to protect their trade
3. Sphere of Influence: Nations gain exclusive __________________________________ in territory, dominate all trade, but allow
the ____________________________________ to make other decisions

Analyzing the Motives for Imperialism

ECONOMIC motives included the desire to
make money, to expand and control
foreign trade, to create new markets for
products, to acquire raw materials and
cheap labor, and to export industrial
Your symbol technology and transportation methods
RELIGIOUS motives included the desire to
spread Christianity, to protect European
missionaries in other lands, to spread
European values and moral beliefs, to
educate peoples of other cultures, and to
Your symbol end the slave trade in Africa
IDEOLOGICAL motives were based on the
belief that the white race was superior,
other cultures were “primitive,”
Europeans should “civilize” other peoples,
great nations should have empires, and
Your symbol only the strongest nations survive
POLTICIAL motives were based on a nation’s
desire to gain power, to compete with other
European countries, to expand territory, to
exercise military force, to gain prestige by
winning colonies, and to boost national pride
Your symbol
EXPLORATORY motives were based on a
desire to explore “unknown” or uncharted
territories, to conduct scientific research, to
conduct medical searches for the causes and
treatment of diseases, to go on an adventure,
Your symbol and investigate unknown cultures

Placard Describe What You See Symbol for Motive(s) Why You Chose This Motive(s)

C
 Excerpts from Rudyard Kipling’s
White Man’s Burden (1899)

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Take up the White Man’s Burden---
Placard

Send forth the best you breed—

Send your sons into exile
To serve their captives’ need;
To wait, with patience mighty,
On folk ragged and wild—
Your new-caught depraved people,
Half devil and half child
Take up the White Man’s Burden---
…To help another profit
And work for another’s gain.
Take up the White Man’s Burden---
The savage wars of peace—
Fill full the mouths of Famine,
And bid the sickness cease;
And when your goal is nearest
Describe What You See

(The end for others sought)

Watch sloth and heathen folly
Bring all your hope to naught.
Take up the White Man’s Burden---
And reap a sad reward—
The blame of those ye beter
The hate of those ye guard…

According to the poem, what is the

“white man’s burden”?

According to Kipling, what is the

Symbol for Motive(s)

white man getng involved in

imperialism?

How does the poem express racism?

Find specific examples from the
poem

Do you think Kipling’s poem is

in favor of or against European
imperialism? Why?
Why You Chose This Motive(s)