Imperialism And Imperialism

The 19th and 20th century imperialism was substantially about the exploitation of the empires colonies and thus was not a necessarily an ‘civilizing mission’. During the 19th and 20th century European powers tried to justify their actions, by claiming that they were trying to re-educate the native population through education, this included Christian missionaries which were placed throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, it became apparent that these powers gained significant wealth by commercializing items that could not be obtained otherwise. Two key examples of imperialism in the 19th and 20th century includes the Belgium Congo whereby Leopold II gained significant wealth through rubber plantations and the British

Imperialism is when a larger, more powerful nation takes control of smaller, weaker nations. The American idea is for freedom. As a nation the United States promotes the freedom of itself and other countries. America once fought for the freedom from a larger, more powerful nation, so why would the government want to go back on what this country was started on, which was freedom.

Imperialism is a recurring theme in the history of the world. Stronger countries see themselves as superior to other societies and believe their ways are right. They force religion, government, and practices on countless foreign lands. At the very end of the nineteenth

What were some of the political, economic, social, intellectual, and military factors that explained the sudden increase in the pace and importance of European imperialism in the late 19c? The essential impetus was the Industrial Revolution which led to a search for (and control of) sources of raw materials and captive markets to sell manufactured goods, and become a world power with the most colonies and most money.

The British organized the expansion of railways, and by the time India became independent, 10,000 miles of new railroad tracks had been laid (Lalvani). These railroads seemed like a good thing, to allow easier transportation and communication, but they were mainly used to transport cotton and other cash crops out, and British-made fabric back in, which the Indians were forced to buy (Document 3). The Indians were no longer allowed to weave their own fabric and if they were caught doing it their fingers would be cut off (Document 3). This put many Indians out of jobs because weaving was the main job for many people and they were replaced by the machines back in England. The British claimed to have opened national parks and protected endangered species (Lalvani) but the environment still suffered drastically during the time of British imperialism (Document 6). The forced growing of cash crops like cotton and indigo ruined the soil and made it harder to grow crops because of the higher salt content, a process called salinization (Document 6). The British also cut down many forests which made the climate hotter and the air more polluted (Document 6). This process made life a lot harder for the Indians because while they struggled to grow and sell the cash crops, they were making it harder for themselves to grow more crops in the future. The British expanded the railways in India, but they also ruined the land, and economy, resulting in an overall negative effect on the environment and the lives of many

The trade later would grown unfair, being that the British begun taking more than they were giving. They begun building textiles and factories, with the Indians being the ones doing the labor. It was not long before the British begun to not only endorse heavy labor upon the Indians, but also convert them to

During the early 1900s, America’s reputation as a world power prospered by possessing the third largest navy in the world and a significant domain over smaller countries. It was able to acquire superiority internationally due to its intervention in the intense colonialism of the time, including fast extension, colonization, and rivalry. However, America’s colonial power did not suddenly develop. Though the United States expansionism of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was an explicit continuation of cultural and social factors that had powered the country’s past expansionism, it was more of a departure from the strategies for the past in which financial and political motives were sought.

The British laid down 10,000 miles of railroad track and built 136,000 bridges over the course of its imperial rule. Dr. Lalvani claims that this was to unify India and to build a stronger economy by providing Indians with railroad jobs. In reality, the British had little intention to unify India and improve it for its people, they built railroads and bridges to export India’s natural wealth and resources to Britain, leaving parts of India a barren wasteland (Doc #3&4). As for the railroad jobs, some Indians did get jobs laying down and repairing railroad tracks, but many more Indians were unemployed because the British used these railroads to sell cheap, poorly made British textiles (Gandhi). Though the British built roads and bridges that would eventually help India, their main purpose was to boost the British economy and cripple the Indians’. During colonial rule, the British forced Indians to grow cash crops such as indigo and cotton. Dr. Lalvani says that this caused the British East India Company to thrive and make fortunes. Cash crops can make people rich, but they can cause havoc on the environment. Cash crops cause desertification because many cash crops take most of the nutrients from the soil. Desertification prevents substance crops from growing (Doc #6). Though destructive, these crops do cause fortune

Throughout american history, examples of the United States’ domination of the political, economic, and social aspects of other countries can be seen. This domination, also known as imperialism, was primarily caused by a growing sense of nationalism, the influence of supply and demand, and a desire to maintain global military power. Imperialism is categorized into three different groups: colony, protectorate, sphere of influence. TRANSITION SENTENCE

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

Britain took over India after a brief struggle with France; initially to aid in its economy; mainly its textiles. The plan was to have Indians harvest raw materials to ship back to Britain. Britain would therefore have cheap raw materials sent back to them; because India was mercantilist (could only trade with the mother country) they did not have much of a choice but to sell to Britain cheaply. Britain therefore always had a steady source of raw materials Britain would turn raw materials into finished products that it would ship back to India and sell to Indians. Prices for goods were low and Indians liked that, but also Britain had a steady source of income. The most useful Indian industry for Britain was its cotton industry; Britain often used Indian cotton for clothing. India made for a cheap way to assemble (cheap labor) and an easy way to get business.

Imperialism has been one of the most powerful forces in human history, serving to set the foundation of our modern world. While this has led to the formation of a global society where cultures, ideas, and innovations are spread across countries, imperialism has also left a history of exploitation, racism, and violence that is still affecting the world today. Imperial relationships are always imbalanced when it comes to power and influence; that is, one group (known as the metropole) maintains authority and control over another group (known as the periphery) with economic, political, and cultural dominance (Spiegel 2012). There are many reasons why one group chooses to dominate the other, such as expanding territory, extracting raw resources to fuel economic development, or to spread their beliefs (i.e. religion) (Spiegel 2012). In spite of these varied reasons, one of the main motivators for imperialism began with competition between empires.

Throughout history as well as in modern times, revolution, imperialism and colonialism have played part in the rise and fall of governance and power structures in the world. Wars have occurred to gain power over a government or society. Colonialism benefits the motherland by sending citizens into a new territory and securing raw materials for the economic benefit of the mother country. King James l, in 1604 granted The Virginia Company, a group on entrepreneurs, a land grant in the Chesapeake Bay of North America to establish a colony. Captain John Smith headed up the colony and the expedition was launched in hopes of finding a trade route to the Orient, as well hoping to find gold. The Virginia Company selected the Chesapeake area because it was uninhabited by Native Americans.

The Spanish war gave the United States an empire. At the end of the Spanish war the United States took Spanish colonies such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and many other islands. The creation of the American Empire leads to the end of the Spanish Empire. The United States wanted to build up the countries so that markets would open up and purchase American goods and to improve the American economy.

The concepts of nationalism and imperialism contradict one another. During the rush to colonize, European countries failed to realize a major consequence of their actions, nationalism. The yearning for independence was the key factor that caused tension between nationhood and empire. Many colonies gained their independence with violence such as Haiti in 1804, but some, such as Canada, were able to claim their independence peacefully (Brown and Smallman, 20). The battle of nationalism and imperialism also led to the Cold War. The Soviet Union claimed to be against colonization but its armies invaded Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Afghanistan (Brown and Smallman, 22). The United States’ government was focused on the spread of democracy throughout