Chapter 25 - The West and the World

Introduction to Chapter 25

        From 1815 to 1914, Western society was reshaping the world. Products and ideas were flowing out of Europe, and hardly any corner of the world was left untouched. Millions of Europeans emigrated to other countries such as North America, Australia, and Russia. The most dominate manifestation of Western expansion during this time came from the political annexation of territories, known as "New Imperialism." Many countries seized land in other countries for the former's gain. European countries took on the belief that they had to westernize these new colonies and take up the "white man's burden." That meant that the white men of Europe had to civilize the native people. 


Chapter Objectives:

· To analyze the causes of new imperialism.

· Explore what parts of the world were colonized and by which countries.

· See the positive and negative benefits of New Imperialism through its supporters and critics.

EQ: How did the White Man's Burden affect the imperialistic tendencies of European countries?

        The Europeans' belief that they were superior to darker skinned foreigners helped to spur the desire to conquer other countries and civilize the native people. This spread of conquest also spread the idea of white supremacy, locking the world in a vicious cycle of spreading white supremacy and conquering more land.