New Imperialism 2
Starting around the 1870's and lasting until around 1905, western nations began what is today called "New Imperialism." The major powers of the western world started to gain a need for expansion. Italy, France, Great Britain, United States and Germany started to feel the pressure being exerted on them by each other and realized that in order to stay on top and remain the a western power they must stretch their boundaries across seas. During this time period imperialism was a common theme amongst the populations of the western nations and many very influential people wrote and preached the need for expanding their particular countries influence. There were three reoccurring explanations given by people in favor of expansion: the need for more land and resources in order to better suit the rising populations in the countries and increase economic chances for them, the feeling of social Darwinism meaning only the strong and powerful will survive and be on top when it is all over, and finally most of the countries that are being considered, want to be under the rule of the western powers. All these factors lead to this brief but extremely large "imperialistic explosion." A very common explanation for imperialism which people w
Not only did people have the over bearing feeling of imperialism, but also they wanted to be the first to do so. Many living at the time knew that it was impossible to avoid the expansion of other nations so why not pave the way for the other countries thus showing their willingness to take the "torch" and lead all into the new era. To many the British Empire was a prime example of imperialism. By gaining so much territory during the initial wave of imperialism, England had an enormous economic advantage as well as military advantage with naval ports located all over the globe. Countries like Germany, Italy, and France came to the conclusion that they too could have such power and cultural strength because in many cases there armies were exponentially bigger than that of England. In light of this "Survival of the Fittest" attitude, people held it as their duty to stand up and speak out for imperialism because it would not only benefit there own country largely but also the territory to which the conquer would reap the overwhelming benefits that they had to offer. Possibly one of the most interesting explanations for imperialism, as we look back on it today, is the idea that these colonies needed to be influenced by the different powerful nations. The opinion that the natives of the different land required the help of western control in order to become more civilized people. Europeans felt that, as a powerful nation, it was there "burden" to educate those that appeared savage and to introduce them to western society. In one instance, John G. Paton urges the British to gain possession of the island of New Herbides before the French. Paton goes on to say: " The sympathy of the New Herbides natives are all with Great Britain, hence they long for British protection, while they fear and hate the French...and certainty it would be unwise to let any other power now take possession and reap the fruits of all this British outlay." (Weisner pg.250) According to Paton, they not only need to acquire New Herbides for there own profit but also largely to prevent France for adding it to there empire and putting the British colonies in the surrounding area in danger. It was popular belief that to those countries that had civil war occurring were in need and virtually calling out for help from the various nations to establish peace even if it means col
Some common words found in the essay are:
United Germany, Jules Ferry, Social Darwinism, Survival Fittest, According Paton, Christianity European, United Britain, Throughout Europe, French Paton, British Empire, western powers, western power, western world, foreign territories, western nations, italy france, germany italy france, social darwinism, developed nation, wiesner pg, help western,
Approximate Word count = 1595
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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