Mar. 30

Imperialism I

I. The new imperialism of the nineteenth century.

II. The "scramble" for Africa.

A. Egypt and the Suez Canal the flashpoint.
B. The structural logic of the European state system and imperialism.
C. The Berlin Conference 1884/85.

1. Sets out the rules for staking claims.
2. Asserts the importance of the "civilizing mission."

D. The map of Africa.

III. Other imperial ventures.

A. Southeast Asia.
B. Philippines.
C. China.

IV. The motivations for the new imperialism.

A. Economic.
B. Political.

1. Competition among the powers--the structural logic.
2. Domestic considerations.

C. Religious.

V. One example:

A. German colonialism in Southwest Africa (present-day Namibia).

VI. The consequences.

A. Race and racism.
B. The intensification of European national conflicts.