Imperialism
Chales Darwin
Discovers "Survival of the fittest" and evolution
Writes a book about his discoveries
People begin applying it to humans and politics
Social Darwinism
racist ideas began growing
whites thought it was their duty to conquer and spread their race
Imperialism
Ideological Motive
Empires wanted military and naval bases around the world to protect themselves and their interests
Christians wanted to save non-christians from hell
Military Motive
Religious motive
Business owners wanted a competition free market and more natural resources
Economic motive
New lands had new plants and materials to further scientific advancements
Exploratory Motive
Nationalism
People wanted to prove their country is the best.
Political Motive
Ethiopia
Ruler was Menelik II
He saw what was happening to other African countries
Decided to modernize the army
Italy invaded
Menelik II's better and more armed army won against the Italians in the battle of Adwa
Berlin Conference
Great Nations divided up Africa
Scramble for Africa
Leopold II gets given the Congo
His militia uses brutal ways to make workers harvest rubber
Rubber starts running out
More and more soldiers start cutting off hands, and they started getting payed for them too
Soldiers commit atrocities to workers
Outside people hear about Leopold II's actions
To this day different militias are controlling the Congo through violence
Sir Roger Casement
He interviews many Congolese about their lives
Was secretly gay
Was a philantropist
Lady Alice Seeley Harris
Used one of the first cameras
Took pictures of Congolese, showing their situation
The Congo gets given to Belgium's government