Dbq Imperialism Essay

In the 19th century the industrial revolution in Europe continued to grow, but obtainable resources were depleting. As European countries realized they needed a new way to collect raw materials, the idea of imperialism sprang into the minds of leaders, and they began the conquest of much of Africa, India, and China. As the push for imperialism grew and England began colonizing more territories, there was a variety of responses from the native people. Some called for action against the Europeans, disagreeing with their overpowering governments, while others gave into their laws and did not question their leadership. There were also those who saw a potential growth that could come from imperialism, but only if the European countries would …show more content…
The people of Canton were some of the most violent, as they called for their people to take up arms against the European “barbarians” and fight them. Other approaches were more political, and some even peaceful. Bal Gangadhar Tilak writes to convince the Indian National Congress that the Indian government is strong enough to not need violence to get rid of the Europeans. The Congress should simply stop supporting imperialism and weaken the Englishmen by not paying taxes. Gandhi had a similar approach, believing that they could protest peacefully by no longer trading with the Europeans, even if it meant that the Indians would have fewer resources themselves. There were areas mostly in Africa, however, that were more submissive. A city-state in the Niger river delta, and area long plagued with slavery, admitted that the new British companies in the area were superior to the small trade system they had at the time. They even went so far as to agreeing to pay the British if they let them continue the trade. The Congo gave into Belgium rule under the “King of the Congo,” Leopold. He forced the natives to obey him by practicing terrible acts of violence on those who refused to work for