EQ: What motivated imperialism, and why did it boom in the late 1800s and not earlier?
Political Justifications: When European states hold colonies, it gives them a number of political advantages. Some overseas colonies provide good trade routes or sea routes, and others provide harbors or stations for ships. European states strive to gain these advantages for their own good, and to deny the rivals of them. By focusing the attention on foreign colonies, it pushes for patriotism and also soothes the tension between socialists, communists and industrialists.
Cultural Justifications: Europeans tried to bring “civilization” to their colonies through political order and social stability. It was known as the civilizing mission, and the Europeans used it as justification for colonizing Africa and Asia. The “white man’s burden,” otherwise the duty of the Europeans and Americans to bring order and enlightenment to foreign lands, was also a justification. Missionaries that go to these colonies to try to convert the people to Christianity also used this as a justification of expansion into Africa and Asia.
Economic Justifications: It was during the second half of the nineteenth century when the Europeans came to believe that the key to the survival of their states, societies, and sometimes for personal fortunes was imperial expansion and colonial domination. Taking Cecil Rhodes as an example, he worked on behalf of British imperial expansion and made himself wealthy through mining diamonds and gold. Some advocates argued that imperialism was in the economic interests of European societies as well as individuals. In addition, overseas colonies provides a reliable source of raw materials that were not accessible in Europe that later came into demand due to industrialisation.
EQ: Imperialism was mainly motivated by the “white man’s burden” and the want for power. Europeans believed that they were superior to other races, and so decided to “civilize” them, believing they did them a favor, by colonising regions in Africa and Asia. Another reason for imperialism would be the benefits of a better economy and convenient passages/ports, which ultimately resulted in more power for the country. It boomed in the late 1800’s because industrialisation played a large role in starting imperialism. Because of industrialisation, countries had a need for more products from other regions around the world, which ultimately lead to imperialism.
Political Justifications: When European states hold colonies, it gives them a number of political advantages. Some overseas colonies provide good trade routes or sea routes, and others provide harbors or stations for ships. European states strive to gain these advantages for their own good, and to deny the rivals of them. By focusing the attention on foreign colonies, it pushes for patriotism and also soothes the tension between socialists, communists and industrialists.
Cultural Justifications: Europeans tried to bring “civilization” to their colonies through political order and social stability. It was known as the civilizing mission, and the Europeans used it as justification for colonizing Africa and Asia. The “white man’s burden,” otherwise the duty of the Europeans and Americans to bring order and enlightenment to foreign lands, was also a justification. Missionaries that go to these colonies to try to convert the people to Christianity also used this as a justification of expansion into Africa and Asia.
Economic Justifications: It was during the second half of the nineteenth century when the Europeans came to believe that the key to the survival of their states, societies, and sometimes for personal fortunes was imperial expansion and colonial domination. Taking Cecil Rhodes as an example, he worked on behalf of British imperial expansion and made himself wealthy through mining diamonds and gold. Some advocates argued that imperialism was in the economic interests of European societies as well as individuals. In addition, overseas colonies provides a reliable source of raw materials that were not accessible in Europe that later came into demand due to industrialisation.
EQ: Imperialism was mainly motivated by the “white man’s burden” and the want for power. Europeans believed that they were superior to other races, and so decided to “civilize” them, believing they did them a favor, by colonising regions in Africa and Asia. Another reason for imperialism would be the benefits of a better economy and convenient passages/ports, which ultimately resulted in more power for the country. It boomed in the late 1800’s because industrialisation played a large role in starting imperialism. Because of industrialisation, countries had a need for more products from other regions around the world, which ultimately lead to imperialism.