The Scramble for Africa and Global Imperialism (1880-1914)

The Rise of Modern Imperialism (Post-1880)

After 1880, European colonialism was directed towards Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. This colonial expansion was based on the conquest and economic exploitation of these territories, a process known as imperialism.

Causes of Colonial Expansion

The causes driving this expansion were varied:

• Economic: The need for markets to ensure the placement of manufactured goods, raw material supply, and financial investment.
• Political: The desire to control great trade routes (especially towards India), seeking international prestige, or strengthening national sentiment.
• Ideological: Based on the supposed supremacy of the white race and its historic mission of extending civilization.

Global Distribution and the Berlin Conference (1884)

At the Berlin Conference of 1884, the great powers reached an understanding on the sharing of Africa.

Imperial Powers and Their Territories

The distribution of territories included:

• Great Britain: Already possessing territories on the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Aden, Britain attempted to form a continuous colonial strip extending between Cairo and Cape Town.
• France: Having occupied Algeria, France extended its dominion to North, West, and Central Africa, creating two large groups connected through the Sahara Desert. France also gained a portion of Somalia and the island of Madagascar.
• Belgium: Established control in the Belgian Congo.
• Germany: Occupied South West Africa, Cameroon, Togo, and East Africa.
• Portugal: Appropriated Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Angola.
• Italy: Gained Eritrea, Libya, and parts of Somalia.
• Spain: Colonized areas such as Río de Oro (Spanish Sahara), Equatorial Guinea, and parts of Morocco.
• Russia: Russia was extended by Liberia and Central Asia. Great Britain and France divided Southeast Asia.

Imperialism in the U.S. and Japan

Only the kingdom of Siam remained free from foreign occupation. The U.S., having already become a major economic and military power, directed its military and economic expansion first to the Caribbean and then into the Pacific. The Meiji government of Japan initiated a policy of expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to conflicts with China and Tsarist Russia.

Continuation of Expansionist Policies

Only the kingdom of Siam remained free from foreign occupation. Imperialism in the U.S. and Japan. The U.S., having already become a major economic and military power, directed its military and economic expansion first to the Caribbean and then into the Pacific. The Meiji government of Japan initiated a policy of expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to conflicts with China and Tsarist Russia.