Imperialism

Definition

• Can be thought of as ‘empire building’ where a more powerful nation of people extend its power over a less powerful group.
• Cultural Imperialism occurs when a group is forced to give up their beliefs, ideas, values or practices for those of an outsider group.

Emergence of Imperialism

• Imperialism developed from the need for colonization by the European countries. They wanted to extend their reach onto other countries to gain more land, power and influence

How it Developed

• Imperialism developed from the continuous colonization and forcing of ideas onto foreign countries and civilizations by European forces

European Imperialism

• British believed that others benefit from being brought under British control. Example: the colonization of Australia.
• The industrial revolution meant that new markets and new sources of raw materials were sought. Industrialized European nations sought colonies.

Asia and Imperialism

• Asian people whom came into contact with European empires responded in many different ways. China and Japan sought to restrict contact with Europeans. People from India and Vietnam were forced into accepting foreign/European influence as they had been conquered by outside powers.

Germany

• Germany did not seek to extend its empire outside of Europe until 1884. Prior to this, Germany focused on securing an empire within Europe and developing a system of alliances to isolate France. The German Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck, finally supported the development of an empire also provide Germany with the opportunity to build a new navy and become a world power. Germany’s colonies were in Western Pacific and Africa: it also sought to obtain influence in the Middle East.

Worldwide Imperialism

• WWI was a war between empires because its roots were in Nationalism and Imperialism.
• Tensions between countries with colonies increase as they tried to extort influence their own colonies or in the colonies of other colonial powers, increasing the possibility of war.

Long Term impacts

• Australia and America were colonized by European powers and forever changed: they were now European countries
• Asian countries such as China and Japan were influenced greatly and hence accepted foreign culture