Development of new imperialism

Development of New Imperialism. Imperialism is defined as the policy of numerously extending the power of a country (Internet History Sourcebooks). Europe in the first two thirds of the nineteenth century continued to have great influence over overseas countries. the expansion of territorial conquests which were more rapid was what characterized the new imperialism. there was unprecedented rate of land grabbing between 1869 and 1914. Moreover, industrial crops were also in demand; cotton and rubber and stimulants such as tea coffee and sugar and tobacco which all grew in these countries but not in sufficient quantities (Internet History Sourcebooks). Most importantly the economic depression of 1870s to 1890s forced the government and businessman to seek protection against the growing foreign competition. For the industrial economy in these countries to work effectively, having direct control through colonies was necessary.

Exploratory motives. This motives generally are about the desire by the people to explore. This made them go to interior places. The raw materials that were valued and every state needed them include gold, diamond, rubber and animal husks. Most of these raw materials had a lot of demand that caused the countries to scramble for them and lead to conflicts. Looking for market- Countries practicing imperialism explored all over and increased the territories in order to find a ready market for the products to produce. A ready market will mean large returns from the trading sector a d thereby improving of the economy (Internet History Sourcebooks). In the efforts to reestablish their nations preside after defeat by Prussia in 1871, France were forced seek territorial acquisition overseas. On the other hand, Great Britain which already had world largest empire felt obliged to protect India which they did by acquiring colonies in Southeast Asia and East Africa.

Although German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck did not have much interest in acquiring colonies, most of his countrymen believed that a country powerful and important as Germany needed to have an impressive more overseas (Internet History Sourcebooks). Moreover, colonial government were autonomous and practiced their own diplomacy; governors or even officers could decide to claim more land which the deemed important before their rivals did. As opposed to making peace with neighbors, armies fighting in frontiers found is quite easy to defeat neighbors that try and make peace with them. This argument is entirely based on self-driven motives that benefited the countries growth of the economy. Claiming that new imperialism was Gods will. The Americans believed and said that it was Gods mandate that they should expand the territories (Internet History Sourcebooks).

The major player in this was Minister Strong Josiah. Advantages are more than the disadvantages. The diseases come up with a lot of negative effects. Leads to slavery. The effect of new imperialism is evident when France got interested in the West Africa and thus led to a very cruel slave system. To conclude it is very clear that Europeans benefited through the act of imperialism at the expense of their colonies. This is clear for example when Germany took all its interest in the African natural resources and opportunities of mining. Zed Books Ltd. Internet History Sourcebooks. Internet History Sourcebooks Project, sourcebooks. fordham. edu/mod/1902hobson.