Industrialized nations expanded their political and economic control over colonies and established transoceanic empires throughout Asia, Africa, and the Pacific between the 18th and 19th centuries (imperialism). They did so to access raw materials, markets for their factory goods, and control valuable global trade. Western nations also wanted to Christianize or civilize indigenous peoples. Imperial powers justified their actions through social Darwinism and a belief in their dominance over other races.

1. Imperialism in the 18th & 19th
Centuries

2. IMPERIALISM (1770s-1914)
Industrialized nations (Europe,
U.S., Russia, and later Japan)
strengthened their control over
their colonies AND established
transoceanic empires throughout
Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
Imperialism is this extension of
political and economic control.

3. European Colonies - 1700

4. Industrialized nations control
by 1900

7. The partition of Africa 1800s

8. The partition of Africa 1914

9. An example from China- the
Opium Wars 1830s

10. Silver to China!

11. Tea & Silk
from China

13. Opium Warehouse - India

17. BLOCKADE OF FOREIGN
FACTORIES

18. Opium War 1839

20. Treaty of Nanjing

24. The British Empire 19 century
th

25. WHY did industrialized
nations seek to control
other areas of the world in
the 18 and 19 centuries?
th th

26. Western nations wanted:
PROFIT!!
Industrialized
nations wanted
access to:
 raw materials for
their factories

27.  markets for their factory
products

28.  To control the trade of valuable
products around the world.

29.  Missionaries, aid societies, and
others wanted to “Christianize”
and/or “civilize” people in less
developed regions.

31. HOW did they do it?
Industrialized nations:
 Used their stronger militaries
(using superior firepower,
military technology, & navies)

34. U.S. Troops in the Philippines

35. Industrialized nations:
 Used their wealth for influence
 Had support by industrialists,
military, and religious groups

36. Industrialized nations had:
 Medicines and medical technology

37. JUSTIFICATION for
Imperialism
 Widespread belief among
imperial powers that European
(or Japanese) races SHOULD
dominate the world.
 SOCIAL DARWINISM – survival
of the world’s best races

40. British control of India