Causes of Imperialism

Causes of Imperialism In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, imperialism- a force of a greater nation that controls a smaller, weaker nation- began to take over many parts of the world in a frenzy. The more dominant countries at the time, such as the United States and many European countries began extending their influence to areas all over the world, from the Phillipines (which would be 56. 5% controlled) to the Africa (which would be 90. 4% controlled) , because they felt their “nations’ will to power” was the best. Document 3) England began showing signs of wanting to control other nations, because this meant that there would be more trade with other countries. Imperialism meant more trade with other countries, and more trade meant more money. The more money meant that the country had more money to invest in industrialization. Industrialization also meant that buyers and customers had to be found in which to sell their products- another benefit of imperialism. Lastly, raw materials could be obtained cheaply, as could cheap labor.

Because the English were ? The machinerization of England’s factories did not only change England’s economy, it changed the world. They were the first in the entire world to experience things like materlialistic benefits, and social pricetags of industrialization. This had happened for several reasons. England had good transportation, an abundant labor supply, inventions that revolutionized the manufacturing of many products (mostly the textile industry), and a stable government. All of a sudden, factories were making hings so quickly, so efficiently, that more and more materials were needed. Although certain machines and inventions helped, it simply wasn’t enough. There was a very big piece of the manufacturing process missing, a piece that would improve England’s manufacturing even further. And that was the very concept of unlimited supplies. Supplies come at a very heavy price, so the idea of an unlimited source of supplies was a novel idea. The problem was where to get them from… And imperialism was the answer.

The ability to control country naturally weaker yet rich with resources was absolutely perfect, and important for the development of of the country. Africa was the perfect choice to begin with. It was rich in many natural resources such as gold, platinum, diamond, gas, oil, coal, water, and free labor which “lay ungarnered in Africa because the natives did not know their value. ” (Document 1) ? The English also felt a moral obligation to help the natives, whom they saw as cannibals and infidels. The English felt that they were not only “unfit for elf-government” (Document 7) but also “degraded, ignorant, and swept by disease. ” (Document 4) They would continue to look down on them, mistreat them, and use them as a labor force. They felt that they could not be left by themselves, and had no choice but to be ruled over by a higher force; in this case, the English. This is why the English ultimately ruled over Africa for so long. Overall, the English were the number one force of nationalism. This is due to industrialization and their strong sense of nationalism.