Imperialism

What is imperialism, and how does it differ from colonialism? These classroom-ready lessons will help you guide students through the economic, political, and cultural dimensions of imperialism in a global context. Through engaging readings, primary sources, and activities, students compare modern and ancient empires while building their historical thinking and analysis skills.
Imperialism

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How to Teach Imperialism

World History Lesson Guide: Industrial Imperialism External link Locked

How did industrialization shape global empires? Guide students to examine how colonial powers fueled their political and economic expansion while limiting colonized nations’ access to industrialization and fair trade.
Blog

Blog: Japan’s Ironic Imperialism External link

Challenge students to unpack Imperial Japan’s “Asia for Asians” slogan, and to understand how anti-colonialism formed the foundation of a new empire.
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PD: How We Made the Modern World External link

How did industrialization (and industrial empires) shape the world we know today? Get curious with the National Museum of Industrial History and bring back big questions to challenge your students.
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Reading about Imperialism External link

Texts about imperialism pack a punch. Give students an advantage in the ring with reading tools and strategies to get the most out of articles and sources.
discussions

Teaching Imperialism with Cartoons External link

OPTIC, SPY, and FISH—oh my! Teachers share their favorite source analysis strategies for political cartoons—including student work samples with annotations.

Lesson Plans on Imperialism

Lesson 7.9
World History Origins
The Long Nineteenth Century
1750 to 1914 CE
Industrial Imperialism
This lesson focuses on the new tools that industrialization afforded imperialists and how these changes allowed empires to expand faster than ever.
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Lesson 5.5
World History 1750
Industrial Empires
1750 – 1914 CE
Resisting Colonialism in Ghana and India
In Ghana and India, resistance emerged even when it seemed impossible to challenge colonial power. Rebellion, leadership, and courage shaped these struggles—and continue to shape how they are remembered today.
View Lesson
Lesson 5.3.3
World History 1750
Industrial Empires
1750 – 1914 CE
The Opium Wars
The Opium Wars reflected the goals of imperial powers and the resistance they faced. These materials will help you place the conflict in context and examine how economics and empire were deeply connected.
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Imperialism Activities and Resources

Experiencing Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens
British colonialists sitting across from a group of Ghanaians in a clearing
World History 1200
Video

Experiencing Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens External link

Use this case study from Ghana to help your students understand the motivations and effects of imperialism.
Industrialization and Imperialism Thematic Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

Industrialization and Imperialism Thematic Map External link

A full-color thematic map of Industrialization and Imperialism in 1871 CE, meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
Tools of Imperialism
British ships destroying an enemy fleet in Canton during the First Opium War in 1841.
World History 1200
Article

Tools of Imperialism External link

Imperialism was the idea that launched a thousand ships. The leaders of industrial empires used the ideas of imperialism to support their actions around the world. 

Imperialism Cartoons
World History 1750
Activity

Imperialism Cartoons External link

In this activity, you’ll analyze and create cartoons to better understand how imperialism was viewed both by those who supported it and those who opposed it.
The Berlin Conference
Drawing of a room full of men, most seated at a long table, talking and looking over papers.
World History Origins
Article

The Berlin Conference External link

At the Berlin Conference, a bunch of Europeans gathered to plot ways to divide Africa. The result was the so-called “Scramble for Africa.”
Imperialism Maptivity
World History AP®
Opener

Imperialism Maptivity External link

Use this quick opener activity to see how imperialists drew lines on maps and changed the world. Compare maps from 1750 and 1914 to predict some of imperialism’s impacts.

Writing Assessments for Teaching Imperialism

Pre-Writing: The Partition of Africa
World History 1750
Assessment

Pre-Writing: The Partition of Africa External link

Create an outline to order and connect your ideas about how imperialism transformed Africa.
DBQ Sources: Partition of Africa
World History 1750
Assessment

DBQ Sources: Partition of Africa External link

Analyze these sources and gather evidence to support your argument about the partition of Africa.
Writing: Partition of Africa
World History 1750
Assessment

Writing: Partition of Africa External link

Use your outline and sourcing skills to demonstrate your understanding of industrial imperialism in Africa.
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