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Imperialism
Imperialism, simply put, is empire-building. The dictionary definition is "a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force." Strong nations take over weaker nations or regions directly, by controlling their political realms, or indirectly, by dominating their economy or culture. Imperialism has occurred throughout history, but most notably occurred after the Industrial Revolution. Strong European nations, Japan, and the United States - all of which had industrialized before other nations - sought new lands for their raw materials and markets.
Industrial Roots
In order to fuel an industrialized economy, a country needs two things: raw materials and markets to sell manufactured goods. Raw materials, like cotton, can be manufactured into products, like textiles. These products can then be sold to buyers in markets across the world. This becomes quite profitable for the industrialized country, as the source of labor is incredibly cheap, and goods can be made quite quickly. Industrialization prompted nations to look outside of their borders for cheaper and more abundant raw materials. Foreign populations were also viewed as vast markets where goods produced in domestic factories could be sold.
Imperialism, simply put, is empire-building. The dictionary definition is "a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force." Strong nations take over weaker nations or regions directly, by controlling their political realms, or indirectly, by dominating their economy or culture. Imperialism has occurred throughout history, but most notably occurred after the Industrial Revolution. Strong European nations, Japan, and the United States - all of which had industrialized before other nations - sought new lands for their raw materials and markets.
Industrial Roots
In order to fuel an industrialized economy, a country needs two things: raw materials and markets to sell manufactured goods. Raw materials, like cotton, can be manufactured into products, like textiles. These products can then be sold to buyers in markets across the world. This becomes quite profitable for the industrialized country, as the source of labor is incredibly cheap, and goods can be made quite quickly. Industrialization prompted nations to look outside of their borders for cheaper and more abundant raw materials. Foreign populations were also viewed as vast markets where goods produced in domestic factories could be sold.
Other Causes
Nationalism, or pride in one’s country, also contributed to the growth of imperialism. Citizens were proud of their country’s accomplishments, which sometimes included taking over foreign areas. As European nations became competitive with one another, there was an increased pressure to practice imperialism in order to maintain a balance of power in Europe.
One motivation for the rise in imperialism was Social Darwinism, or the belief that all human groups compete for survival, and that the stronger groups will replace the weaker groups. This belief continued to grow as Europeans took over foreign lands; colonizers viewed the culture of the native population to be inferior to their own. This concept was popularized through a poem called "The White Man's Burden" by British poet Rudyard Kipling in 1898. This poem was written to the United States after their defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, and the US's subsequent control of the Philippines. Some interpreted this poem to mean that it was the duty of imperializing nations to bring western culture and sensibility to the savage native populations that were encountered in far off lands. Others saw it as a warning to western nations to stop the harmful practice of imperialism.
Nationalism, or pride in one’s country, also contributed to the growth of imperialism. Citizens were proud of their country’s accomplishments, which sometimes included taking over foreign areas. As European nations became competitive with one another, there was an increased pressure to practice imperialism in order to maintain a balance of power in Europe.
One motivation for the rise in imperialism was Social Darwinism, or the belief that all human groups compete for survival, and that the stronger groups will replace the weaker groups. This belief continued to grow as Europeans took over foreign lands; colonizers viewed the culture of the native population to be inferior to their own. This concept was popularized through a poem called "The White Man's Burden" by British poet Rudyard Kipling in 1898. This poem was written to the United States after their defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, and the US's subsequent control of the Philippines. Some interpreted this poem to mean that it was the duty of imperializing nations to bring western culture and sensibility to the savage native populations that were encountered in far off lands. Others saw it as a warning to western nations to stop the harmful practice of imperialism.
Results
In the short-term, imperialism was a very profitable foreign policy. European nations became incredibly weathly as a result of their imperial expansion. However, this power came at the expense of the foreign regions where imperialism was being practiced. Cultural diffusion also occurred, leading to an exchange of ideas between the West and the East. For example, European methods of education were adopted, leading others to study ideas of liberty and democracy embraced during the Enlightenment and various political revolutions. This exchange eventually led to the demise of imperialism and colonialism throughout the world after World War Two. To understand more long-term effects, read through each individual section above.
In the short-term, imperialism was a very profitable foreign policy. European nations became incredibly weathly as a result of their imperial expansion. However, this power came at the expense of the foreign regions where imperialism was being practiced. Cultural diffusion also occurred, leading to an exchange of ideas between the West and the East. For example, European methods of education were adopted, leading others to study ideas of liberty and democracy embraced during the Enlightenment and various political revolutions. This exchange eventually led to the demise of imperialism and colonialism throughout the world after World War Two. To understand more long-term effects, read through each individual section above.