Dbq New Imperialism

The three most responsible forces for new imperialism in the late 19th and early twentieth centuries were trade, nationalism and the white mans burden. Trade was an important cause of imperialism because; it allowed countries to generate capital in foreign lands. Nationalism was an important cause of new imperialism because; many European powers that imperialized thought themselves the greatest political power in the world. The white man’s burden was another key cause of new imperialism due to the fact that many European Empires used it as an excuse to imperialize weaker nations. Trade was a key reason for new imperialism. Trade was a very important part of causing the new imperialism that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One example of this is that Senator Beveridge said that The United States should imperialize simply because, the …show more content…
One example of this is document can be found in document four when Cecil Rhodes states, “I contend that we [Britons] are the finest race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better is for the human race...It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that more territory simple means more of the Anglo- Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honorable race the world possesses,” (Rhodes Document four). When Cecil states this he is displaying extreme nationalism out right. He is saying that other countries should b like Britons because they are the “best breed”. This was a driving force because people whom thought their home countries were the best, wanted others to know they were the best. They wanted other countries to strive to be as great as them and the best way to show them was to lead and own them. Though extreme nationalism played an extensive role in causing new imperialization, the white man’s burden was also played a key role. Only