When a strong country conquers and takes over a weaker country.

The area that is taken over is known as a colony.

This was the idea that it was natural for strong countries (like the European nations) to take over weaker countries (like nations in Africa and Asia).

This was a racist poem that encouraged Europeans to civilize (help improve) the people that they took over by teaching them European customs and religious beliefs (like Christianity). The poem referred to the people of Asia and Africa as “half devil” and “half child.”

Raw materials/natural resources (like coal, tin, iron) that Europeans wanted in order to make goods in their factories.

An interest in or taking of land for its strategic location or products rather than just land size.
Examples: Russia wanting a warm-water port in the Crimea; Britain wanting control of the Suez Canal for trade routes.

Japan adopted the customs and techniques of Western countries (i.e.- Europe and the United States). Japan changed its government, military, education system, and technology to make it more like those of Europe and the United States.

Over 90% of Africa was taken over by European countries that scrambled (raced) to take over the continent.

A meeting (1884–1885) at which representatives of European nations agreed upon rules for the European colonization of Africa. No African rulers were invited.

The King of Belgium who personally owned the Congo Free State. He ruthlessly exploited the area for rubber, leading to the deaths of millions of Congolese.

A human-made waterway in Egypt connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, opened in 1869. It was vital for the British as a “lifeline” to their colonies in India and Asia.

Rebellion in which India tried (but failed) to gain independence from Great Britain (England).

A joint-stock company that controlled most of India during the early period of imperialism. It functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown until 1858.

The period of direct British rule over India from 1858 (after the Sepoy Mutiny) until India’s independence in 1947.

After the British began smuggling opium (an addictive drug) into China, the Chinese fought back in the famous Opium Wars. After being defeated, China was carved up into spheres of influence.

Areas where trade was controlled by different European nations.

Rebellion in which China tried (but failed) to gain independence from the various European (Western) nations that controlled them.

Of the United States sailed into Japan in order to open up the country to trade. We wanted to do business with Japan.

This is the period in Japanese history when Japan was ruled by Emperor Meiji. During this period, Japan began a rapid (fast) program of modernization and westernization.

Japan industrialized (built factories, machines, roads, communications).