The rush to expand empires and the ensuing age of Imperialism was fueled by a few different motivations. Not every country shared the same views, and all were competing to divide Asia and Africa up between them. In this activity, students will use a spider map to research and summarize some of the main motivations for European Imperialism in the 18th and 19th century.
Students may consider including the following motivations for European Imperialism:
Extended Activity
To further deepen their understanding of imperialism, students can select one of their motivating factors and describe why it is the most important factor using another storyboard or a short persuasive essay. Students could also put their factors in order from least to most important.
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Student Instructions
Create a spider map that explains the main motivations for European Imperialism.
Engage students in critical thinking by organizing a class debate focused on which motive for European Imperialism was most influential. This interactive activity encourages research, persuasive speaking, and respectful discussion skills.
Assign each group a specific motive, such as economics, religion, or technology. Grouping students helps them become 'experts' on one motive and promotes teamwork as they gather evidence to support their viewpoint.
Encourage students to use textbooks, articles, and primary sources to build strong arguments for why their assigned motive was the driving force behind imperialism. Preparation boosts confidence and ensures informed participation.
Establish clear debate rules, time limits, and assign roles like speakers, rebuttal leaders, and note-takers. Structure keeps the debate organized and ensures every student gets a chance to participate.
Moderate the discussion, prompting students to use evidence and listen actively to opposing views. Respectful debate sharpens critical thinking and deepens understanding of multiple perspectives.
Wrap up the activity by asking students to reflect on what they learned and if their views changed. Reflection helps solidify learning and connects the debate to broader historical themes.
The main motivations for European imperialism included economic gain, religious spread, advances in technology, humanitarian goals, Social Darwinism, competition among European nations, and the influence of the Industrial Revolution. Each factor contributed to the desire to expand empires, particularly into Asia and Africa.
Students can create a spider map by placing 'Motivations for European Imperialism' at the center and branching out to identify and summarize each key motivation, such as economics, religion, or technology. Illustrations and brief descriptions help organize research for easy understanding.
The Industrial Revolution provided new technologies, increased production, and a demand for raw materials, which drove European nations to seek colonies for resources, markets, and strategic advantages during the age of imperialism.
Social Darwinism applied the idea of 'survival of the fittest' to societies, justifying European dominance over other regions. It was used to rationalize imperialism by suggesting Europeans were superior and had the right to rule over others.
Effective activities include creating spider maps to organize motives, writing persuasive essays selecting the most important factor, ranking motivations, and using illustrations to visualize each cause. These approaches foster critical thinking and engagement.