The domination of a country’s or region’s political, cultural, or economic life by one country is called imperialism. (Esler, page. 632) European imperialism began in the 1800s. “European nations won empires in the Americas after1492, established colonies in India and Southeast Asia, and gained toeholds on the coast of Africa and China. Despite these gains, between 1500 and 1800, Europe had little influence on the lives of the peoples of China, India or Africa.” (Esler, page.632) Then the Europeans industrialized and believe western cultures were superior to all other. They felt the other countries were inferior to them and began the spread of westernization. There were many causes of imperialism. A major cause of imperialism …show more content…
“They applied Darwin’s ideas about natural selection and the survival of the fittest to human societies and nations.” (Esler, page. 633) Natural selection is when individuals or organisms that are better suited to their environment survive a reproduce the most successfully. European believed they were superior to all other countries. They set out to spread western cultures and millions were robbed of their own culture.
The British East India Company gained trading rights on the Mughal empire. The company expanded its influence; it controlled three fifths of India by the mid 1800s, as the Mughal power declined. India was not able to unite because there were too many languages and cultures. Even though many effects of the East India Company were negative, many positive effects came out of it too. “The East India Company’s main goal in India was to make money, and leading officials often got very rich. At the same time, the company did work to improve roads, preserve peace, and reduce banditry.” (Esler, pg. 633) British officials introduced western education, pressed for social change, missionaries tried to convert Indians to Christianity, tried to end slavery, the caste system, and improve the position of women within the family.
Indians resisted British domination. British hurt the business class, by not allowing them in large-scaling manufacturing. They also kept educated Indians out of high posts. Some British laws violated
However India did get some things out of its own conquest. The British were fairly gentlemanly in their actions in India. The terrible act of Siraj-ud-Dowla, imprisoning 146 Britons in the Black Hole of Calcutta, showed in some ways the psyche of some of the rulers of India and the British civilising influence must have had some effect on most Indians quality of life, for the better. I do not feel however, that the British went to India in order to civilise the culture, I do not believe that their motives were that selfless, the civilising influence seems to have simply been a by-product of the fact that the Britains came.
European imperialism during 1450-1750, began as a plan to gain more riches for the European nations. The Europeans did this for three main reasons, which were for God, Gold, and Glory. The Europeans domination over Latin America, Africa and Asia were made out to be good for the native people of these lands. However, the Europeans were not there to help these geographic areas. They were there to spread their influence and gain riches for themselves and the European nations. The successes and failures of the Europeans and non Europeans would decide their relationship status for as long as they could co-exist.
Social Darwinism was a social theory. The same theories that were from Charles Darwin had been applied to human society. The theories on natural selection and evolution. It known that those who were stronger and superior could enjoy a wealthy and lavish lifestyle. The fittest of survival. Europeans believed that non-Europeans were lower, physically and culturally. This was believed because the Europeans, at the time, were the only people to make scientific and technological breakthroughs.
That Colonialism and imperialism played a significant role in shaping the modern world and particularly Asia is a prudent judgment. Colonialism is "a policy in which a country rules other nations and develops trade for its own benefit" and "the extension of power or authority over others in the interests of domination" (2004). 'The West', which refers to the societies of Europe and their genealogical, colonial, and philosophical descendants. Spain, France, Britain, Canada, and the United States of America are some examples of Western societies. These countries have spread their influence and hegemony over other nations for centuries; shaping today's North America,
“Englishmen.. have given the people of India the greatest human blessing - peace.” (Dutt). Merely coming to India in the 1600s to trade, the British East India Company established trading outposts. After ridding of French influence in India during the Seven Years’ War and having Indians mutiny against British rule, Britain gained full control of India. India has been under the imperialist control of the British until their independence in 1947. British imperialism caused some negative effects on India through poverty and persecution, but retained more of a positive impact due to its massive improvements in the modernization of India and the overall improvement of Indian civilization.
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
This was a negative effect for the native people because there was a lot of poverty and the British decided to take over land that was in use already. Many people wouldn't have anywhere to live but still ended up getting kicked out of their own place. Some people would argue the effects of imperialism in Africa and Asia were positive economically.
European Imperialism was a period of colonial expansion by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The continents of Africa and Asia were two of the most imperialized areas in the world, and that greatly affected the people living there. The European Imperialism methods had a tremendous effect on the indigenous people of those areas through culture and conflicts.
What is imperialism? Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Beginning in the 1800s European explorers began to push their way into the interiors of western and central Africa. In 1807 the British outlawed the trans-Atlantic and in 1833 slavery itself bringing a new wave of imperialism. What were the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa?
When a country feels superior to another and decides to take it over, that is called imperialism. Imperialism was occurring through a major part of the late 1800s and early 1900s, mainly taking a toll on Africa. During imperialism a country is able to gain government, trade, or the culture that has been adopted. The concept and action of imperialising can destroy many people's values and the their way of life for them personally. Imperialism was a selfish and negative concept towards certain cultural groups during the time of its reign.
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.
From: Romesh Dutt, The Economic History of India Under Early British Rule Englishmen…have given the people of India the greatest human blessing – peace. They have introduced Western education. This has brought an ancient and civilized nation in touch with modern thought, modern sciences and modern life. They have built an administration that is strong and efficient. They have framed wise laws and have established courts of justice.
Imperialism is the domination of a weaker country by a stronger country. For instance Britain dominated India and China in the mid 1880s to the beginning of the 20th century. Imperialism has had both a positive and negative effects on the countries involved. Britain was imperialistic for many reasons, it could dominate because it had the technology and power to do so. They also needed land to acquire raw materials for growing markets.
Throughout American History the U.S. has sought to expand its boundaries. This need increased greatly during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century with the start of the industrial revolution. This Expansion was a big departure from earlier attempts to expand the boundaries of the U.S. The needed for Natural resources forced the U.S to look for places that could supply them with the natural resources they needed and markets where they could sell their goods in. The need to imperialize caused the U.S. to look to foreign places to gain resources to better the nations industries.
5. The Sepoy Mutiny marked a turning point in Indian history. As a result in 1858 the British government took complete and direct command of India. The term Raj is referring to British rule after India came under the British rule during the reign of Queen Victoria. In London the cabinet minister directed a policy and a British general in India had carried it out. After 1877, the British official was known and held the title of viceroy.