IMPERIALISM

Imperialism is the policy or action by which one country controls another country or territory. In most cases, such control is achieved by military means to gain economic and political advantages. (19^th century onwards – New Imperialism) 

Causes of Imperialism

1. Geographical discoveries – The explorations and geographical discoveries encouraged European powers to establish their colonies in the newly discovered regions, especially in the New World and Africa. The explorers pointed out the potentiality of the continent for colonization and exploitation of its resources.
2. Economic causes – The conditions created by the industrial revolution contributed to the promotion of imperialism.
1. Need for new markets – With the increase of production after the industrial revolution, Europeans began their search for new markets. Once European markets reached saturation they sought markets abroad e.g. Asia and Africa. Selling was made easier through political and economic domination of there areas. Each country could protect its market from other European rivals and also eliminate any competition from goods produced locally.
2. Need for raw materials – To meet large-scale production the industries required raw materials, which were in short, supply in Europe. Countries in Asia and Africa, though industrially backward, were rich in terms of resources. E.g. England got raw cotton for her textile industry from India. The Europeans could get all raw materials required from their colonies at a very low cost.
3. Transport and communication – With scientific inventions, that came with industrial revolution, imperialism spread easily. Steamships and railways transported goods faster than before. Raw materials and goods could be transported across quickly. With cheap labor, the imperialists build railroads, bridges, etc.
3. Political causes – Imperial expansion was also an outcome of ambitious leaders. To achieve personal and national glory, rulers and military generals undertook expansion of their boundaries even beyond the sea. Colonies were of great military value and were sources of power and wealth. E.g. Nazi Germany followed expansionist policy to promote national pride and glory to the leader. There was no international agency to control international affairs. There was no one to prevent powerful countries from conquering, dominating and exploiting backward regions of Asia and Africa. Thus imperialism took the form of ‘might is right’.
4. Social causes – The various European powers needed lands to rehabilitate their surplus population, which could not be supported by the resources available in their country. In several European countries, people suffered from poverty and unemployment. Thus, the overseas expansion was considered as a solution to these problems. Both Germany and Japan justified creation of colonial empires in Africa and China on these grounds.
5. Religious causes – Christian missionaries promoted imperialism. Imperialists wanted to spread their power and missionaries wanted to spread their religion. The conditions in Asia and Africa were favorable for the spread of Christianity. Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and diseases were widespread. Missionaries tried to solve the problems of the people and induced them to follow their religion (Christianity).
6. Philosophical causes – The writings of Western philosophers and thinkers such as Hegel, Nietzsche and others who believed that supermen have the right to dominate ordinary men convinced the Europeans of their superiority and encouraged them to undertake imperialist expansion. European imperialists considered themselves as radically superior to the people of Africa and Asia. They felt that it was the ‘White man’s burden’ to uplift the ‘inferior races’ of Asia and Africa.

 

EFFECTS OF IMPERIALISM

Practically the whole of Asia and Africa had come under the control of Western Imperialists by 1914. Though most of the Asian and African colonies have become free since 1946, the effects of imperialism on the life of the people was evident for a long time.

Imperialism had some far reaching effects in the history of the modern world.

1. Imperialism led to the political control of different parts of Asia and Africa by the European powers. The race for colonies between various European powers resulted in mutual rivalries and frequent colonial conflicts.

Imperial powers tried to introduce Western political institutions in their colonies. The people were thus exposed to modern ideals of nationalism, democracy and constitutionalism. This led to the growth of political consciousness and encouraged people to fight for independence.

2. Colonies were economically exploited by the british. They obtained raw materials from them in return for manufactured goods. This led to destruction of local crafts and industries. The high tax on land resulted in impoverishment of farmers and decline of agriculture. Thus they drained the wealth of the colonies.

Imperialism led to the development of modern industry. They introduced means of transport and communication like railways, telegraph, etc.

3. The Christian missionaries with the active support of the imperial powers carried on conversation activities by offering the natives various material and other incentives.

The missionaries established churches, schools and colleges to spread education among the newly converted native people.

4. Imperialism also led to the introduction of western culture in societies of Asia and Africa. With the introduction of western education people began to develop a new attitude and rational approach. They adopted western type of food, dress, manners, etc. These factors led to the socio religious reform movements in the country.

Thus imperialism affected all aspects of life. The impact was positive as well as negative. Imperialism brought about a degree of modernization. However, the curse of exploitation and poverty still lingers in the African and Asian countries, which can be considered a legacy of imperialism.