20th Century Imperialism

Traditional imperialism is a concept derived almost entirely from the European imperialists from the 17th through 20th. However, the main issue associated with our historical understanding of imperialism lies is the fact that imperialism has evolved, and it along with its definition continue to change each decade. Historically, imperialism is “a manifestation of the balance of power and is the process by which nations try to achieve a favorable change in the status quo” (Course Syllabus, Ferraro). It is used in an attempt to reduce both political and strategic vulnerability of a nation whether it is political or strategic. Classical imperialism tends to evoke images of Christopher Columbus invading many lands on behalf of the Spanish monarchy,

Overtime, imperialism has developed, while some of the goals associated with imperialism remain; others are not as relevant and many of the goals linked to imperialism are now prioritized in a new way, leading to some weighing more than others. This leads to weighting some more than others. The 21st century version of imperialism may have similar patterns to that of imperialism from the 17th-20th centuries, such as exploitation, but there are many new aspects of the modern imperialistic style that makes it different from the past, despite this it would be unfair to deem the past imperialistic style as less relevant

These theories explore the idea of having a sense of responsibility for other country’s well being as well as a sense of accountability for the prevailing social order in the world. It is these theories that make it clear that weak “countries must be developed either by ourselves or some other nation and we have to remember that it is part of our responsibility and heritage to take care that the world”(Course Syllabus, Ferraro). More developed countries such as the England, France, Belgium, and the US, saw it as their duty to help the more fragile countries, particularly the many countries throughout Africa. They saw it as their imperative that they influence and model as many countries as possible after the Anglo-Saxon views. Essentially, from the 17th-20th centuries imperialism was used to maintain social order. It is this justification of western superiority that pushed the US towards the Philippines. In the words of then US President William McKinley, the Philippines could not have been left to “themselves--they were unfit for self-government--and they would soon have anarchy” and thus, in the eyes of McKinley, the only reasonable thing to do was to Christianize them (Course Syllabus, Ferraro). This desire to save a country from itself, and to spread Anglo-Saxon Christianity is based in an overwhelming need to demonstrate national preeminence through the acquisition of territories