Through Imperialism, the powerful countries subjected the weak countries to accept any form of a decision imposed on them. Imperialism was the establishment of capitalists. For example, the iron makers and cotton were very interested much in Imperialism. According to Moon (1936), the group that specialised in importing goods strengthened the most potent industries by increasing the demand for colonial raw materials. The industrial revolution manufacturers needed to have natural resources like palm oil, rubber, cotton, petroleum, and manganese and cheap raw materials. Besides, they wanted to modernize some areas to make readily available markets for their manufactured products. The ship-owners wanted protection from naval bases through the coaling stations for their vessels. Those supplying the railway materials and telegraph producers used by different governments were also more responsible for Imperialism (Moon, 1936). Also, powerful businesses like the bankers used to make loans to colonies to build railways and steamship lines. The responsible force for Imperialism during the 19th and 20th centuries is humanitarian goals, economic desires, military and political interests, and social Darwinism.
Making a lot of profit was the most crucial thing to European nations. In this regard, Imperialism was influenced by the economy during this time. According to American Senator Beveridge (1908), American factories made more than they could use. American soil was producing more than what they could use. The fate was written to American people that trade of the world must and shall be for Americans (Beveridge, 1908). However, the economy was not the only force responsible for Imperialism in Europe. Also, political influences determined different government affairs and other operations. According to Aron (1956), Imperialism was caused by political ambitions and the will of different nations to have power. This means that most European countries wanted power and glory over everyone else. This political power mainly was seen in the French military, which had the most potent warships, cannons, weapons, and soldiers. This enabled them to take over any desired country without any resistance. In addition, another political cause of Imperialism was a desire to have land and natural resources over the less powerful countries. Unfortunately, the less powerful countries were Africa. During this time, Africa was divided into different territories ruled by Belgium, Portugal, Britain, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.
The skin colour for colonies also increased the desire for a strong implication of patriotism. The western countries saw an empire as an outstanding achievement of the nation. This made the rivalry of the colonies increase, as each nation was optimistic about controlling as much world as possible. Most European countries believed that they were more important than the others. This belief gave rise to racism, a reflection of social Darwinism theory. This theory talks about the ideas of evaluation and survives according to his strength which is applied to every human being. Those who have strength fit to survive and enjoy prosperity were considered more superior than the others. This theory states that the non- Europeans were seen as inferior to culture and physical development because they did not have any skill and knowledge to scientific and technological progress the way Europeans were. On the other side, the western people believed that they were superior and had the right and responsibility to lead the African countries. According to Rhodes (2017), he states that the Britons are the first people in the world and the larger they inhabit, the better it becomes for all human races. It is the responsibility of the European countries to take every opportunity of acquiring more resources and territories (Rhodes, 2017).
The push to expand more territories came from the missionaries working on converting the people to the Christian religion. Most missionaries argued that the better way to end evil in the world, like the slave trade, was European leadership. The missionaries also wanted to civilise people and introduce them to western culture in their land. The well advanced and proper medical skills aided to enhance Imperialism. Drugs like quinine helped the European people to survive the tropical conditions and diseases that enabled them to travel to the mosquito-infested areas. Furthermore, the steamboat and telegraph enabled them to communicate and respond quickly to any threatening situations, thus increasing their reign. The use of rapid-fire machine guns also gave the soldiers a chance, and it helped them threaten the Africans and Asians to accept western control. According to Gian (2002), the French had powerful weapons of war. They also had massive warships with soldiers and armed with huge cannons. Also, conditions within Africa made it possible for Europeans to colonise. For example, the Africans’ extensive different languages and cultures acted as a barrier to unity. The conflict between different ethnic groups over water, trade, and land rights prevented them from having a unity and harmony. This gave the Europeans a chance to play rival groups against each other.
Many European countries viewed other countries as their small brothers. They had the paternalism opinion of looking down at others as they were less fortunate. Also, ethnocentrism prevailed during this period. Some individuals had good thinking, while others discriminated the foreigners. The missionaries, medics, and other imperial officers thought that they had a responsibility to extend the western culture in the form of religion, medicine, and law. This responsibility was known as the white man’s burden, a poem that Rudyard Kipling wrote. According to this poem, the white man’s burden was sending forth the best group to go and confine their sons into exile (Kipling, 2008). They were also to serve their captives’ needs and wait in heavy harnesses. In this regard, the United States justifies its action to take over the Philippines, stating that they will not leave to themselves because they were unfit to govern themselves. They also justify by saying that they will be able to educate them and Christianize them (Rusling, 1903).
In conclusion, Imperialism changed the western people and their subjects. Through Imperialism, the western nations created the world economy where the goods, money and technology were regulated to ensure flow of natural resources and the cheap labour is provided for the industrialised world. Imperialism affected the subjects, where the industry and the native culture were destroyed. The imported goods were wiped out of the local craft industries. The colonial powers also prevented the development of the local industries by restricting the markets for manufactured products and source of raw materials. To some extent, the living standards in these countries were so poor because the natural wealth in these regions was channelled to the motherlands. Imperialism also brought cultural confrontations. In the 19th century, western countries controlled most countries of the world. The Europeans were convinced that they were superior, forcing people to accept their ways of life. This pressure made some colonial people outgo their traditions and way of life and discouraged customs like Sati in India and foot-binding in China. The European countries introduced modern medicines and vaccines although imperialism abused colonial people. They also introduced modern sanitary hygiene that has helped save lives and reduce the mortality rate. Imperialism created many political conflicts. The western countries discouraged the traditional political systems and united rivals under one government. This was a way of imposing peace and stability where war was experienced for many years, like Rwanda and Nigeria. The ethnic wars that were experienced in the 20th century, its cause can be traced to imperial policies.
References
Aron, R. (1956). The century of total war. The Beacon Press.
Beveridge, A. J. (1908). The meaning of the times: And other speeches. Indianapolis, The Bobbs-Merrill Company [1908].
Gian, P. T. (2002). Focus on World History: The Era of the First Global Age and Revolution, Walch Publishing.
Kipling, R. (2008). The White Man’s Burden.” 1899. The Kipling Society, 21.
Moon, P. T. (1926). Imperialism and world politics. Macmillan.
Rhodes, C. (2017). Confession of Faith (1877). Sources of World History.
Rusling, J. (1903). Interview with President William McKinley. The Christian Advocate, 22(1), 17.
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