Imperialism is the extension of a nation’s power over other lands through colonization and imposition of European customs and commerce. Today, many are aware only of the period of “new imperialism,” which took place during the late nineteenth century. Nonetheless, at this time, imperialism was neither a new or unfamiliar concept. In fact, by the sixteenth century, Europeans had set up colonies and trading posts in areas like North America, South America, and Africa. New imperialism was much different than that of the sixteenth century though. Previously, the Europeans were content to set up a few minor trading posts where they could carry on trade as well as some missionary activity. During new imperialism, however, Europe sought nothing
…show more content…
One of the many factors that influenced European countries to imperialize China was nationalism - the desire for power and glory. For example, in Source A, the political cartoon, the artist depicts a group of European aggressors selecting which pieces of cake they want. The cake is labeled as “Chine,” or China, and represents how, during imperialism, the European countries claimed portions of China for themselves. Certain areas in China are more appealing and provide those who imperialize it with more power, so the process in which they determined what portion of China they wanted was very tedious. The character located behind the aggressors is a Qing official; he is throwing up his hands in an attempt to stop them from dividing China, but he is powerless in comparison and his attempts are ineffective. This makes it evident that one of the many causes of imperialism in China is that China supplied so much power to those who conquered it. In addition, the English felt obligated to imperialize China because of its economic benefits. Despite its illegality, English merchants, often referred to as barbarians, exported opium into China. By selling the opium in China, the British were greatly profited. However, because the Chinese quickly became addicted to the drug, a serious social and economic disruption arose, and Chinese leaders, like Lin Zexu, were …show more content…
In India, the Europeans had the ability to achieve the white man’s burden. Similarly, one of the causes of imperialism in Africa was also the ability to attain the white man’s burden. By imperializing Africa, the British could spread British ideals and use missionaries to convert African civilians to Christianity. Bishop Desmond Tutu speaks about this in 1984 Source: South Africa Sunday Times; he says, “When the missionaries came to Africa they had the bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray’. We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land,” (Source C). Bishop Desmond Tutu explains that when British missionaries went to Africa to promote Christianity, they found that by imperializing the area, they could get the Africans to conform to their ideas much easier. The British were motivated to imperialize Africa because they wanted fulfill the white man’s burden and spread British ideals. They succeeded in doing so. During the 1700s and 1800s, the Europeans lost a significant amount of American colonies. Thus, various European countries such as France, Britain, Portugal, Spain, and Germany fought to imperialize African territory to replace their lost American work force and source of raw materials. One of the many areas that had been imperialized during this time was the Congo. Here, African citizens were
One of the many factors that influenced European countries to imperialize China was nationalism - the desire for power and glory. For example, in Source A, the political cartoon, the artist depicts a group of European aggressors selecting which pieces of cake they want. The cake is labeled as “Chine,” or China, and represents how, during imperialism, the European countries claimed portions of China for themselves. Certain areas in China are more appealing and provide those who imperialize it with more power, so the process in which they determined what portion of China they wanted was very tedious. The character located behind the aggressors is a Qing official; he is throwing up his hands in an attempt to stop them from dividing China, but he is powerless in comparison and his attempts are ineffective. This makes it evident that one of the many causes of imperialism in China is that China supplied so much power to those who conquered it. In addition, the English felt obligated to imperialize China because of its economic benefits. Despite its illegality, English merchants, often referred to as barbarians, exported opium into China. By selling the opium in China, the British were greatly profited. However, because the Chinese quickly became addicted to the drug, a serious social and economic disruption arose, and Chinese leaders, like Lin Zexu, were …show more content…
In India, the Europeans had the ability to achieve the white man’s burden. Similarly, one of the causes of imperialism in Africa was also the ability to attain the white man’s burden. By imperializing Africa, the British could spread British ideals and use missionaries to convert African civilians to Christianity. Bishop Desmond Tutu speaks about this in 1984 Source: South Africa Sunday Times; he says, “When the missionaries came to Africa they had the bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray’. We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land,” (Source C). Bishop Desmond Tutu explains that when British missionaries went to Africa to promote Christianity, they found that by imperializing the area, they could get the Africans to conform to their ideas much easier. The British were motivated to imperialize Africa because they wanted fulfill the white man’s burden and spread British ideals. They succeeded in doing so. During the 1700s and 1800s, the Europeans lost a significant amount of American colonies. Thus, various European countries such as France, Britain, Portugal, Spain, and Germany fought to imperialize African territory to replace their lost American work force and source of raw materials. One of the many areas that had been imperialized during this time was the Congo. Here, African citizens were