MINI LESSON

5.3
THE CAUSES OF MODERN
IMPERIALISM
 From trading post to empire

INDEX
Modern imperialism

British India
FROM TRADING POST TO
EMPIRE

• Around 1500 the Portugese sailed to America,

Africa and Asia
• They went there for gold, silver, spices and
slaves
• Later European countries followed them
• Trading post were mainly built in Africa and
Asia
• From 1870 on European countries expended
their interior (colonial empire)
• The period between 1870 and 1900 is called
the modern imperialism
 MODERN IMPERIALISM
They had different motives to
conquer different parts of
Africa and Asia.

Economic motives Technological lead Power and status Civilisation and development

Europeans had better France, which was not yet

The industrial revolution
caused the factories in
England to require raw
materials.
weapons than people in
Africa and Asia. This made it
easier for them to conquer
and rule a colony
greatly industrialised, had lost
a war. The country was
ashamed of its defeat. The
conquest of colonies helped to
be respected
from the 16th century
European missionaries went to
the colonies to convert the
population to Christianity.

The whites felt it was their

This made it a logical step to A direct shipping route responsibilty to educate and
conquer parts with a lot of between Europe and Asia was raise The others. they founded
raw materials. established (Suez Canal). schools and placed new
railways
BRITISH INDIA
1st event The British East India Company settles in India.

2nd event A rebellion breaks out in India against British rulers.

3th event India becomes a colony of Great Britain.

4th event Queen Victoria is appointed Empress of India.

THE BRITISH MAINLY USED LOCAL RULERS TO RULE INDIA. THE BRITISH WERE VERY INTERESTED IN TRADE.
THEY BOUGHT TEA IN INDIA AND SOLD FABRICS.