Imperialism

Unit V overview and essential questions (Transformation of Geopolitical Relationships: New Imperialism)

OVERVIEW

The period 1880 to 1914 saw a transformation in geopolitical relationships known as new imperialism.  During this time, Europeans fought each other to carve out empires in Asia and Africa.  The goal was for a country to seize more land and goods than its neighbors, without regard for the local populations.  Asians and Africans were unable to counteract European military and technological superiority, and they lost their independence in the process.  European global domination ultimately led to both world wars and the ideological clashes of the cold war.  It also laid the foundation for today's interdependent world.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1.  How did new imperialism emerge?

2.  What was the "Scramble for Africa"?

3.  How did imperialism contribute to WWI?

4.  How did imperialism lead to Europe's global dominance?

5.  What examples are there of successful resistance to Western imperialism?

6.  What were the costs of colonization?

7.  What is the legacy of imperialism?

• Imperialism webquest