British Imperialism Effects

about the many unjustified things the British did and also the “The establishment of an absolute

Imperialism is defined as a policy of extending a country 's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Countries during the Industrial Revolution wanted to imperialize due to social, political, and economic reasons. As early as the mid 1800’s, the European countries craved the idea of power and conquering new lands in order to obtain resources/raw materials. They took over Africa, the Ottoman Empire, India, and Southeast Asia due to this as well as for their convenient location. They believed that the more land one owns, the stronger the country would be. Although some can argue the fact that imperialism had a detrimental effect because these countries lost their culture and independence, the end result of this was definitely more positive than negative both short term and long term. These countries would not be as thriving today if this had not happened. European Imperialism in parts of the Middle east, Africa, and Asia had more of a positive impact on the world due to education, modernization, healthcare/sanitation, and more trade/resources used.

Imperialism was a negative event that happened to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country was first impressed by the Belgian king, King Leopold II. He ruled the land not as a colony but as his own. He treated the Congolese as slaves to gather him resources to help make him more wealthy. Imperialism was the worst thing that happened to the Democratic Republic of Congo, King Leopold II enslaved the people, and stripped the land of resources, punished them which ultimately lead to the Belgian government stripping him of Power

Some countries believed they could show their power to other countries by taking over weaker lands. “we are weak agianst them… The French immense warships filled with soldiers and armed with large cannons. No one could ressit them. They go where they want, the strongest ramparts the fall before them”(Document 7). This quote shows how France took over a weaker country and made sure that they were seen as the stronger ones. In document 4, Cecil Rhodes states “ I contend that we are the finnest race in the world, and the more of the world we inhbbit, the better it is for the human race.” He believes that the Britons must take over the weaker ones and teach them how to be more like them. He also thought that if they did this then they would look stronger and more superior to other countries. A country’s image towards others had a big impact on the expansion of

Some effects of American Imperialism were in the Western Hemisphere and the pacific with Spanish war and the creation of a colonial empire. Also there were some positive effects over America imperialism like the further protection of human rights ands social institutions.

British imperialism, changing our lives from the start to the end, impacting the whole world, by 1920, the British Empire ruled over one quarter of the world. This one quarter also included the population of India. Basically starting because of the British East India company needing things such as indigo for cloth and cotton, the British government decided to take over and control politically, economically, and socially over India. The British Introduced the Indians to a new way of control and government and industrialised India. But the British made a government more for control rather than to improve the Indians lives and serve them.

Perhaps England’s largest investment in the India was their vast railroad system, employing over 1.6 million workers; the most in the world. (Dr Lalvani) This is true but britain’s policies such as: the prohibiting of farmers to grow any crop that isn’t a cash crop or the policy to tax Indian weavers so heavily that it drove them out of business. (Document 3) This forced millions of people out of weaving jobs and farmers into bankruptcy because no one wanted their cash crops. This caused 58 million deaths because these workers couldn’t afford food (Document 6). 58 million deaths heavily out ways 1.6 million jobs. Another claim Dr Lalvani makes is is that both nations benefited from trade. However, the amount of hand woven goods being exported to england dropped to 2,200 in 1790 to zero in 1890. (Document 4) This number began falling during the industrial revolution after British imperialism, meaning the number of British goods being exported skyrocketed, replacing the Indian made goods. This out millions of people out of jobs, causing the economy to suffer while English men became

Africa as well ensured the British with the valuable mineral resources of Gold and Diamonds. With the British imposing on this area, it lead to the mixing of the two cultures and revolts. Second reason for British Imperialism was Trade. Great Britain trade was vast but one specific occurrence with China really showed the careless side of the British. British smuggled Opium into China and continued though Chinese officials weren’t okay with it.

Imperialism affected Britain by economic benefits, it was mostly to entrepreneurs. The profits in the early centuries from trade in furs, tea, and or slaves. Also the success in sugar, rubber, and cotton plantations. Success came in the 19th century when Britain became the “Workshop of the world.” By 1850 maybe half a total world GDP. Economic benefits to the poor were they emigrated as miners to Australian, fishermen to Newfoundland, farmers to Southern Africa, and just about anything to the united states. Some people made no more money than they did back home. But many became more appreciably to the money they made since it was more than back home.

In a quest to find raw materials, the British East India Company slowly started to take over India. Then in 1757 they won a decisive battle against India. A year later after the sepoy rebellion the British took direct control of India. Britain’s government of India resulted in massive change politically, economically, and socially. The British completely made a mess of the Indians calm government politically and economically, the British did give Indians a better life socially.

During WWI, Imperialism is seen through the ways the countries tried to expand their power by using military forces. For example, according to Colin Nicolson’s book, The First World War, in 1913 Germany had a colonial population of 12 million while Britain had a 400 million colonial population. Also, Britain had almost 11 million more square miles than Germany. This shows how Britain had a major lead in being the most powerful and reveals why Germany was wanting to extend their power. The German propaganda cartoon “The British Octopus” supports the idea that Germany was jealous of Britain’s power and they showed this by portraying Britain as an octopus, sucking power out of the world.

Imperialism had a great effect on the economies of the countries they were benefitting. During the Industrial Revolution, Europe saw a rising demand for raw materials and labor. The colonization of Africa and Asia was the solution to this problem. Imperialism allowed for the European nations to obtain raw materials and export their good for a greater profit. As Parker T. Moon said from the document, Imperialism and World Politics, "this group of import interests has been greatly strengthened by the demand of giant industries for raw materials" (Imperialism and World Politics).

Imperialism had many positive effects even when people neglected it. There were different effects in the certain countries which were China, Middle East, Africa and Asia. The one that had the most positive effects were India. The Europeans wanted to modernize these countries and that is what they did. The improved transportation with boats, railroads, and trains and had advantages that involved stronger economies, organized government, powerful militaries, technology and weaponry, advanced medical knowledge,etc.

British imperialism created more harm in the way that it drastically changed the way the indians lived their regular lives and followed their cultural practices. Once the British East India Company began controlling more and more territory in India, they had their own army, which was led by the British but staffed by Indians and this led to many problems, one being that the British sealed the bullets of the Enfield rifle with beef and pork fat, which are extremely sacred animals to Hindus and Muslims (Hooper Binder). This shows how bad the intentions of the British were for the Indians; it didn't matter how the Indians felt, it only mattered that the British would achieve their main priority, which is to ignore the culture of the Indians and

Although imperialism had several negative impacts on certain regions, it lead to the introduction of a better government system and improvement in technology. The efforts put in by Europe to colonize weak countries resulted in improvement of education and sanitation in the colonized countries. Africa specially gained a lot from Imperialism. Schools and hospitals were built,