Causes of Imperialism The acceleration of Imperialism during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that greatly impacted the world, is due to multiple economic, political, and social forces. Imperialism, a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, was becoming drastically more and more important for European and Asian countries. Ultimately, the advancements during the Industrial Revolution made Imperialism easier, and on a very large scale for many European countries. Although there were many factors that contributed to Imperialism by ways of economic, political, and social forces, some proved to be more significant and influential than others. Since the beginning of religion, missionaries have attempted to spread religion and their beliefs on others. This is only one of minor reasons of the social aspect of Imperialism. An extremely important part of Imperialism, was to increase the size “of the finest race in the world,” (Doc 4). Cecil Rhodes describes how the more territory the British have, “more of the best, the most human, most honourable race the world possesses,” (Doc. 4). The social aspect of Imperialism was extremely racist, where “White Man’s Burden” was the major reason for Imperialism for some. White Man’s Burden, was attempting to colonize the …show more content…
Imperialism was motivated by, “political ambitions… Nation’s will to power… or glory or national greatness,” (Doc 3). Imperialism for many countries is caused to improve the nation’s overall power. Additionally, according to President Mckinley, the U.S.’s involvement of Imperialism in the Philippines, was due to the fact that, “They were unfit for self-government,”(Doc. 7). The U.S. believed that there was nothing else for them to do, but take them over. Expanding territory, and a country's overall power by imperialism, was the major reason, politically
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Show MoreImperialism is when a stronger, larger nation dominates a smaller or weaker nation politically, economically, and socially. Imperialism increased in the 19th century due to industrialization. European industry increased there need for cheaper raw materials and massive markets to sell new, finished products. Europeans also dominated the world with their advanced military weapons, to dominate Africa and other south pacific areas. The powder keg was a huge contribution to all the chaos leading up to the destruction of world war one caused.
The time period of 1750-1900 CE was a time of modernization and westernization following the Enlightenment and Age of Exploration which propelled Europe into being the central power of the world. It started off with the Industrial Revolution in Britain along with the emergence of capitalism which modernized European technology, weaponry, and ideas as well as giving them the desire for wealth all of which created a foundation for European imperialism in various parts of the world. Asia and Africa both fell victim to European imperialism, but to different extents both politically where Asia mostly retained autonomy while Africa fell under direct rule and socially where Africans fell victim to slavery and exploitation to a much greater degree
Great Britain was the largest imperial power in the world (Document E). Great Britain was also known as the British Octopus because of how many colonies Great Britain has claimed. Mother countries were envious of Great Britain which caused jealousy and vexation towards Great Britain. When a mother country owns more colonies, they gain more money. This helps a mother country militarily and economically.
Emma Catone Professor Payne 11-9-14 1. In the document “Platform of the Anti-Imperialism League” the league explained why they think imperialism is anti-American. In this document the main argument as to why imperialism is anti-American is because it is against the constitutional rights that are given to US citizens. These constitutional rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In 1899 the Philippines were under the control of Spain.
Europe’s imperialist approach carried deep-rooted social and cultural impacts. Europeans expanded and explored partially by cause of social beliefs. Writers such as Rudyard Kipling shared their position by declaring white people are morally responsible for educating and guiding the ignorant population of contrasting regions. These ideas in Europe changed their social view of the world and shifted the social dynamics within Europe (Doc 1). Imperialism additionally heavily affected Europe’s culture.
Looking for wealth and power, imperialist nations sought to colonize and control regions that would theoretically benefit from this new rule. The
Imperialist believed that they were helping to civilize these countries by taking control over their economic, government and social life. Great Britain
During the late 19th and early 20th century the United States began to expand internationally, adopting a new imperialistic foreign policy. While the transition from westward expansion to imperialism was a change geographically, the new imperialistic direction the United States, was taking was a continuation of the old ideas of expanding west. Motives for expansionism remain the same the ideals of westward expansion continuing into a new era of American foreign policy. Much of America’s motive for an aggressive imperialist policy is the desire for land and wealth.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States began to grow into an empire. Within the United States, policies of both expansionism, the policy of territorial or economic expansion, and imperialism, the policy of placing a nation under the political, military, or economic control of another nation, were considered. The United States’ first large step toward an empire came with the Spanish American War, a war fought because the United States wanted to buy Cuba from Spain during the Cuban revolution. However, after the war, the United States did not gain Cuba.
One of the main reasons is it enlarged trade with other countries. According to Document 1 the Map, trade was enlarged by imperialism. The main country U. S. wanted to trade was with China, because there were chances they would be able to trade with the other countries and become partners. There were also, many valuable resources in China that U. S. needed.
In the late 17th century, the European nations set up several companies and trading posts along the coast of Africa and Asia. They work closely with local rulers in order to ensure the protection of European economic interests in those areas. Later in the late 18th century and early 19th century, the time period that was known as the Age of Imperialism, the trading posts started to influence the lands and established vast colonial empires in both Africa and Asia. The oblivion of cultural identity and value, the establishment of new laws, and the loss of economic benefits occurred in the colonized lands as the results of the imperialism. The cultural identity and value in Asia and Africa were completely abandoned because of the imperialism.
The British and their East India Company came to India, motivated by political, economic, and social interests. They desired land, raw materials, money, and control. This left the Indians in starvation and poverty, fighting for the independence of their people. British rule served the English with a government designed to control Indians, taxing them when they were dying from famine caused by British economic cash crop policies, leaving remaining Indians illiterate, and never giving them a chance to benefit from trade links. British imperialism had a negative impact on the politics of India because the British taxed Indians even when they were starving, as well as established a government with an army, police force, and justice system
In the years leading up to 1850, European powers grappled for political and economic dominance of the international market. The Age of Discovery during the early modern period in Europe posed as period that redefined the idea of exploration. No longer was the reason for subjugating a group of people to European rule the main reason to colonize. Rather, the main reason for imperialism after 1850 was in regards to extraction of natural resources and economic control of the world market. After 1850, it became apparent that interests in overseas empires was ultimately inevitable as Europe began to industrialize and gain military and technological power.
As one of the important imperial power in the history, the United States expanded its country across the continent. Some voice in think the country should establish an overseas empire just like the Europeans for colonial development and procurement. But others preferred to increase the country's interest and influence through extensive trade and investments instead, rather than through military occupation. Still others advocated a cultural expansionism in which the nation exported its ideals and institutions. Social Darwinism played a key role in America’s imperialism.
They had a few valid reasons to do so. Even if they had many reasons to turn to imperializing, there were three reasons that stood out the most. One of the reasons was to improve the economy by using these newly achieved nations to their advantage. Another reason was the desire of improving their Army in order to compete with other nation's Army. The final reason was that they thought they were a superior culture and other nations had to be like them.