After the discovery of the New World, many countries sent colonists and traders to the Americas for economic ventures. Many profited from the new resources available and sought to find new ways to bring wealth and glory to themselves or to their country. As transportation technology improved, global exploration opened up new lands and new possibilities.
The Age of Imperialism was an era when several European countries attempted to expand their reach by conquering and annexing other lands or nations, primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The expansion of territory usually increased access to resources, labor, and goods, which meant more money and power for the central imperial state. With more advanced weaponry, these industrialized nations, such as Britain and France, were able to subdue other countries who had not yet been exposed to rifles, cannons, or eventually, machine guns. Increased communication capabilities, including railroad travel and telegraphs, allowed the seats of empires to connect with their colonies.
The activities in this lesson plan focus on different aspects of European imperialism in China, Africa, and India, as well as both the motivations for and reactions to imperialism. They are designed so students can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of European imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries.