Motives Of Imperialism Essay

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The early 1700s upsurge of capitalist economy and superior nation states armed with well-organized military provided a favorable advantage for Belgium, Germany, Russia, Italy, France, and British to role as the world’s imperial authorities. These country passed a policy that allowed a more powerful nation to take control of a weaker nation by spreading their country's authority and influence through use of military force and colonization. The name for such a policy is call Imperialism. According to Oxford Dictionaries, “Imperialism originated from the Latin word "imperium", meaning to rule over large territories. It is an unequal human and territorial relationship, usually in the form of an empire, based on ideas of superiority and practices …show more content…

The non-economic motives of imperialism was ethnocentrism, expand their borders through nationalism, and the spread of religion. Imperial countries believed that they were enlightening inferior civilizations with cultural beliefs and values. European powers clung to the racist belief that inferior races should be conquered in order to “civilize” them. (Cleary) Growing imperial power and Patriotism incited countries to compete with each other for supremacy. It’s a matter of national prestige, pride, and security. Empires wanted strategic territory to safeguard access for their navies and armies around the world. These empires must be defended and, better yet, expanded. Political motives were often triggered as responses to perceived threats to the security or prestige of the imperial power or its citizens abroad. (Cleary) Religious people regularly set out to convert new followers of their religion and, thus, their empire. Christian missionaries spread Western cultural values and established churches in occupied territories. Missionaries also spread the imperial nation’s language through educational and religious interactions, although some missionaries helped to preserve indigenous languages.

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