Few advancements in human history have made more impact on our modern world than the industrial revolution. Coupled with this leap in industry, imperialism defined the economic political and social structure across the globe. Essentially the industrial revolution defined the means, while imperialism dictated who would have eventual control. H.G Wells explores both imperialism and the industrial revolution by taking them to extremes, and through his satire reflects the specific flaws of both processes as they changed the world around him.
H.G Wells himself was a left wing socialist. Socialism essentially commands an abolition of class structure and a "collective ownership of the means of production" (Wikipedia, Socialism). Wells interest
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This same question of motivation can be applied to British imperialism, it is clear though that British imperialism was not motivated by necessity, but found its impetus in the accumulation of power and resource.
The role of ethics in imperialism is also questioned. The Martians seem to have no ethical or moral concern for the humans. Wells describes the extermination' of the Tasmanians, which was conducted by humans on humans, as ruthless (Wells, 1898, p.5). This act lacks the same ethics and morals missing from the Martian invasion. Imperialism is thus presented as an act that lacks these ethical and moral concerns.
The humans initial reaction to the Martian invasion is also of significance because Wells presents the humans as overly self confident, arrogant and to a degree ignorant of the danger that is posed to them. The ignorance and self-confidence of humanity is presented most strikingly in the Londoners reaction to a Sunday Sun article describing massacres' and the ineffectiveness of traditional weapons against the Martians (Wells, 1898, p.20). The notion that the Martians would be unable to move under earth's gravity was also simply accepted by the humans (Wells, 1898, p20). By presenting the reactions to the invasion in this manner, Wells is commenting on a society that has grown complacent and too self assured. When the scale of the invasion is known the society resorts to panic.
The arrogance of the society presented by Wells can be compared
Their business interests demand that colonial markets should be opened and developed and that foreign competitors should be shut out. Such aims require political control and imperialism.”By Parker T. Moore, Imperialism and world politics, 1926.Politics and the military also had significance in causing new imperialism. One example is that when a nation had many colonies it believed it would be more powerful and secure. The second example is nationalism, which was a motive for achieving a goal for a nation. Last cause was the poem “The White Man’s Burden“, which was written by Rudyard Kipling, to justify imperialism.
Since there were many nations involved, there were many attributes that led up to imperialism. Firstly, the Europeans wanted economic expansion. Since the industrial revolution had taken place, the Europeans were in need of more natural resources. They also wanted new markets for the sake of selling industrial products. To achieve this they had to look for more places outside of Europe and colonize it.
1. The political motivations for English imperialism were made on country that is craving to succeed in power, to increase their land, to have an armed force, to achieve respect by captivating colonies, and increase pride and security countrywide. The Pilgrims left England to North America because they were seeking freedom from religious oppression from King James I. Even though most of them died during the cross over, the few that made it settle very quickly with the help of the Native Americans. These groups of people were very religious and wanted to keep their faith alive. Their leaders in England did not tolerate it so they decide to leave England to a place where can freely express their religion. (U.S History, 2008-2016)
Like in document 3 Raymond Aron says "One of the colonial undertakings was motivated by the quest for capitalist profits", which explains another cause for imperialism. Also in document 4 Cecil Rhodes says "..the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race", he's explaining the idea of spreading power. This idea is still applied to
Lastly, politics and fighting for the highest power affected imperialism. “The political impetus derived from the impact of...power struggles [w/in] Europe and competition for preeminence [in Europe], Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Spain were competing for power…” (Document R). More power means a country can take control and demand their necessities.“The economic motive is by no means to be dismissed but alongside of it there evidently was another one, not so easy to define but none the less real - the power complex - sheer love of power” (Document M). Along with economics, which is still a big factor, politics and being powerful afflicted conflict over
In a document written Benjamin Disraeli of Britain (2), he says the colonization will strengthen the empire, clearly showing the economic motive. In a document written by British Joseph Chamberlain (3), he says that the more land will strengthen their empire. He wrote it to show that the colonization will mainly strengthen Britain showing the economic motive. In a document written by the German Social Democratic Party Congress (5), they said that the colonization will get them new markets showing that some countries had the motive of strengthening their economy. Their is still one more motive.
Numerous motivating factors contributed to US overseas imperialism, but the fundamental underlying cause was the fact that powerful men within the US government, military and business strata craved power, expansion, wealth, and most of all, world dominance. It began subtly, as prominent businessmen like Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan began to realize that US consumership alone would not sufficiently sustain the growing industries, volume of production and produce generated within the US. In order to achieve the expansion and exponential growth of wealth they aspired to, a larger market was needed; a market capable of absorbing the abundant surplus. The solution, they believed, was expansion into foreign markets around the world.
“Imperialism was a cause because building an empire needs manpower such as an army and a navy to conquer and keep the land that they colonised.” Imperialism often brings on nationalism and is accompanied by a strong military.
Industrialization added to Britain’s desire for raw materials and new markets and the British were motivated by this desire and looked for colonies to obtain. Adopting the policy of imperialism was economically beneficial for Britain, since it helped supply Britain with raw materials for industrial development, along with cheap food for Britain’s developing population. Britain chose to become imperialistic, because it would bring them prudent and economic benefits.
In so many ways, "the political motive was inevitable, as it was almost impossible to follow an economic agenda without substantial or total control". However, religious imperialism required additional motivation. It was possible
War of the Worlds is a novel written by Herbert George (H.G.) Wells in the year 1898. It is a story of and alien invasion that takes place in London, England and how humanity as a whole come together in the toughest possible situation, against the odds, and in the face of adversity, and still come out victorious despite the countless numbers of dead. Destroyed buildings and landmarks. And at times loss of hope. In this report, I will be discussing three of the most important terms of the book: conflict, setting, and motif. The conflict, setting, and motif of War of the Worlds is: Man vs. Martian, early 20th century London, and Death (as the motif).
needed on the European home front. Imperialism provided a way in which unemployed laborers could obtain jobs and/or riches. Not all motives for imperialism were greedy and self-motivating however. The earnest desire of some to help civilize and Christianize natives was the utmost reason for imperialism.
Wells, H. G. (1866-1946), was a famous English novelist, historian, science writer, and author of science-fiction stories. Wells's novel Tono-Bungay (1909) best reveals his varied talents. The novel, a story of the dishonest promotion of a patent medicine, contains social criticism tinged with satire. In it, Wells described trips in airplanes and submarines at a time when such journeys seemed like science fiction.
There is no question that the Industrial Revolution had an enormous impact on American society between 1870 and 1940, but the question is what kind of an impact did it have during this period. The overall effect of the Industrial Revolution turned out to be a positive push towards modernization in America. As Stephen Gardiner, a British architect and writer during the 20th century, said, “The Industrial Revolution was another one of those extraordinary jumps forward in the story of civilization.” While Gardiner hit the nail on the head with his quote, the part of the story that most people tend to forget is just how quickly we Americans, made that extraordinary jump forward. There were Americans, who, at one point in their life were
Finally, the most important reason to British imperialism was their desire to advance economically. Their economy was primarily based on trade, and because colonies could be added as a form of imperial control, it only furthered and expanded trade. Because such countries as Germany and France began to rise to power, Britain was confronted with competition, so they felt that they had to take the African land first. The British feared that as the other countries began to become stronger and more stable, they would steal their markets, so that is how the scramble for Africa starts. As for the Suez Canal, it became extremely important for money making