The Modern Period, c. 1750 to c. 1914: Content Summary 5.5: Imperial Expansion in the Late 19th Century

New imperialism—a time of accelerated colonial and territorial acquisition by Western European empires, the United States, and Japan—took place between 1870 and the onset of World War I.

New imperialism—a time of accelerated colonial and territorial acquisition by Western European empires, the United States, and Japan—took place between 1870 and the onset of World War I.

These empires sought access to copper, rubber, palm oil, and cotton as well as tea, coffee, and foodstuffs, and they often used coercion and exploited local labor to keep the prices of raw materials low.

The creation and control of the Suez and Panama canals facilitated imperial expansion and helped empires acquire cheap raw materials.

The expansion and contraction of overland empires

For example, Russia, which remained conservative and autocratic throughout the 19th century, continued to expand its territory, pushing into Poland, Finland, and across much of Central Asia.

For example, Russia, which remained conservative and autocratic throughout the 19th century, continued to expand its territory, pushing into Poland, Finland, and across much of Central Asia.

Also in the 19th century, Austria established a large multicultural empire across central Europe.

The Qing were also dealing with resource shortages and famine due to demographic expansion.

The Qing were also dealing with resource shortages and famine due to demographic expansion.

Maritime empires challenged Qing sovereignty by establishing port cities along China’s coast.

The Qing government, crippled by corruption and factionalism, signed treaties allowing foreign powers to establish these trade enclaves, which further contributed to the Qing’s decline.

The Qing government, crippled by corruption and factionalism, signed treaties allowing foreign powers to establish these trade enclaves, which further contributed to the Qing’s decline.

Neocolonialism in Latin America

Politically independent but authoritarian regimes in Latin America protected Western capital, represented the interests of elites, and did little to improve labor conditions or end peonage.

By the late 19th century, with European migration and the growth of an urban commercial middle class, liberal reform movements and political parties in Latin America began to challenge some of these authoritarian regimes.