The Age of Imperialism

Scramble for Africa Timeline

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Imperialism in India

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Analyzing the Motives for European Imperialism

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Contrasting Points of View

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Imperialism in China

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Biography Poster

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Questions for the History of Imperialism

1. What were the motivations for imperialism? How did imperialism meet the needs of 19th-century Europeans?
2. How did Europeans justify their desire to construct global empires?
3. How did local people in China, Africa, and India respond to imperialism?
4. What role did opium play in China’s relationship with Britain?
5. How did India become vulnerable enough to become part of the British Empire?
6. How were Europeans able to dominate large portions of Africa in such a short period of time?

Age of Imperialism

After the discovery of the New World, many countries sent colonists and traders to the Americas for economic ventures. Many profited from the new resources available and sought to find new ways to bring wealth and glory to themselves or to their country. As transportation technology improved, global exploration opened up new lands and new possibilities.

The Age of Imperialism was an era when several European countries attempted to expand their reach by conquering and annexing other lands or nations, primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The expansion of territory usually increased access to resources, labor, and goods, which meant more money and power for the central imperial state. With more advanced weaponry, these industrialized nations, such as Britain and France, were able to subdue other countries who had not yet been exposed to rifles, cannons, or eventually, machine guns. Increased communication capabilities, including railroad travel and telegraphs, allowed the seats of empires to connect with their colonies.

The activities in this lesson plan focus on different aspects of European imperialism in China, Africa, and India, as well as both the motivations for and reactions to imperialism. They are designed so students can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of European imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries.