The Global Effects of Imperialism, World War I and the Great Depression Bentley first talked about cross-cultural interactions as a way to categorize the World’s history. He in addition wrote about the importance of understanding events from a global perspective, not just one country’s point of view. Because of these two fundamental elements to his argument, we can assess events differently than before hand, finding out ways to take a step back and look at actions as they affect multiple nations simultaneously. Of these international events from 1870-1945, the Age of Imperialism, World War I, and the Great Depression had worldwide impacts on economic and social issues.
Imperialism in the late 19th century became a competition among European countries to take control of as many areas in Africa before the others did. For the most part, France, England, and Germany competed for bragging rights to these countries. They thought at the time that the more colonies a country had the more prestigious and noble that country looked. European countries were in pursuit of demonstrating their power. Not only this, but imperialism helped build a strong economy in the mother country because they could invade their colony and strip them of their natural resources in order to produce goods with. In turn, that country could then sell these good to the colony in order to make money. Rudyard Kipling talks about this fierce competition in “The White Man’...
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...ike Germany and France also imposed new poll taxes on their colonies in Africa to make up for money they had lost. As a result of the Great Depression in America, countries across the world faced depressions of their own.
From 1870-1945, Imperialism, World War I, and the Great Depression had a global impact economically and socially. The effects of Imperialism caused a build of tension between nations as European countries tried to show off their power and prosper economically through the invasion of areas in Africa. In World War I, existing empires were disassembled and new nations emerged as a result. As a result, Woodrow Wilson came up with a new system for controlling threat by creating the League Nations. After World War I, countries turned their economies inward once the Great Depression came and the “domino effect” took its toll on countries around the world.
Throughout the 19th century, European Imperialism had a major effect on Africa. As countries expanded in terms of wealth, resources, and innovation, more territory and workers were needed. The first solution to solve these problems was to begin colonizing in Africa. The driving force for imperialism in Europe and Africa was mainly economical. This economical approach was established through many ways including cultural and nationalistic ideas.
During the Great Depression, America’s economy was merely destroyed. Because less money was available, industrialization dropped, factories were losing, and the number of unemployment increased. Later, during World War II most of the countries were destroyed, however, America’s economy was able to grow. Due to the mobilization of America, The victory gardens, the rationing, and the urge to produce more to fight better, America’s production increased in order to support its military. Also, different types of industry that wasn’t available before the war started to develop during the war. So, employment started to increase, thereby increasing the economy. Moreover, it was able to fund other countries with weapons and products necessary for the war, and in alliances America was mainly the provider. After the war, when the Americans’ soldiers came back, with a huge number of factories and high number of people ready to work, production flourished. Thus, America started to recover economically and become more powerful. World War II transformed America’s economy from a depressed
The Great War – World War I – lasted from August 1914 to November 1918 that involved the Allies and the Central Powers. The end of WWI generated mass culture, mass production, and mass consumption on this industrial scale. However, these were soon challenged by the Great Depression, which followed the US stock market crash on October 29, 1929. This lead to an emergence of three new visions of the modernity: liberal democracy, authoritarianism, and anti-colonialism. These three visions all lead their economy differently: liberalism democracy
World War I may not have made the world safe for democracy, but it did help to lay the groundwork for a decade of American economic expansion. The war began in Europe in 1914, and the United States entered the fray in 1917. The 1920s saw the growth of the culture of consumerism. A significant reason for United States involvement in the war was the nation’s economic links to the Allied Powers, and especially to Great Britain. American soldiers returned home in May 1919 with the promise of a prosperous decade (Baughman 197).
Throughout history, many powerful nations interfered with nations that were weaker than they were. This form of sabotaging a nation is economic, political or cultural life is called as imperialism. Imperialism is often separated into two sects. The first one is old imperialism, which was the period from the 1500s to the 1800s, where European nation started to colonize many areas such as the Americas, and parts of Southeast Asia. On the other hand, the new imperialism was the period between the years “1870-1914”, where Europe became more focused on expanding their land into Asia and Africa. Imperialism had many pros and cons. In addition, it also had many causes led by the feeling of nationalism.
Imperialism is the act of a larger more powerful country taking over a smaller weaker country. Imperialism was very evident in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Africa, an up and coming country was a gargantuan country and just waiting to be taken over. At one point in time the entire continent was taken over by imperialist nations. The novel "Things Fall Apart" written by Chinua Achebe tells about the trials and tribulations of African people and their country during imperialist times. There are a number of primary sources that I have read that talk about imperialism throughout Africa. This essay will be a comparison between the primary sources I have read and the novel by Achebe.
Imperialism shaped the world we have today. There were many reasons behind global expansion. Anything from building an empire, like the British, to helping inferior races, had an impact. The extent the Europeans went to for national defence was a major motivator. Furthermore, the “civilizing mission” had a lot of supporters because of the belief it was their duty. Some arguments for imperialism had more influence than others.
WWII and the great depression were important economic events during the twentieth century(Tassava-para1). On September 1, 1939, France and Great Britain sent Adolf Hitler an ultimatum either to withdraw German forces from Poland, or they both would go on war against Germany(about education-para 14,15). In spite of the ultimatum, German forces didn’t leave Poland so the war had begun(about education-para 15). The U.S. tried to stay neutral, but supported France, England, and Soviet Union. However, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan, the U.S. decided to join the Allies (France, England, and Russia) and join the war against the Axis Powers (Japan,Germany, and Italy). When the U.S. entered WWII, the Great Depression ended with the explosive spending during times of war(bill,-
Imperialism took place in the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s and it defines one country’s superiority over another. Specifically, The United States practiced imperialism for the desire to strengthen military and create new markets for money. It led to many wars and disputes over countries, heavily in Latin America. Imperialism was not a proper and legitimate policy for the United States to follow.
... role on the United States economically, socially, and politically. These three factors, although different in nature were linked; the economic failings in America influenced people into racism and discrimination. In a time where poverty was such a commodity, survival became a higher priority than fairness and equality. During the economic depression, the political leaders were shocked and unsure how to act. This lack of aid to the impoverished population encouraged the people to call for political reform. Despite all of the efforts the United States made to remain detached from Europe, confrontation and international business was inevitable. The resources and wealth that the United States is known for made the country a valuable trading partner and a powerful international figure. Even today the United States is the most powerful and influential country in the world.
Imperialism is the domination by one country of political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region and occurred during the 1800’s in Africa. Imperialism in Africa was caused by four factors in Europe: economy, politics/military, humanitarian/religion, and Social Darwinism (Ellis). The Industrial Revolution in Europe caused the need for oversea expansion because the manufacturers needed things like: rubber, petroleum, and palm oil all of which Africa had. Europe moving into Africa was also caused by nationalism, when France went into Africa so did Britain (Ellis). The difference between France and Britain was the way of rule they used. There are four different methods of imperialism: direct, indirect, protectorate, and sphere of influence. The most popular were direct and indirect. The French used direct, they sent officials and soldiers from France to administer their colonies and their purpose was to inflict French culture on their colonies and make them into French provinces (Ellis). The British, however, used indirect, they used chiefs to oversee their colonies and encouraged the children in the colonies to get education in Britain. The British “Westernized” their colonies and only used military force when threatened (Ellis).
Imperialism became popular in the 18th century as Europeans began wandering into Africa, discovering many raw materials that could most certainly be beneficial to their country’s industries and economy. So, the scramble for Africa began. Countries desired their land to improve their economics by increasing supply of raw materials and also by geopolitics and more strategic location and transportation. Countries also wanted colonies to improve their reputation as a world power. This increased nationalism in many countries. Wealth and nationalism, two of the main causes of imperialism, were based off of greed and ambition for the strongest, largest empire.
Around the 1700s regions in Europe were using the method of imperialism to not only expand but to economically benefit as well. Thus imperialism was not only a form of government but also a form of economy. Furthermore it is when regions extend their power and wealth through their military force and diplomacy. Specifically speaking the Spaniards and British were two different groups of Europeans who colonized different regions around the world. As a result of doing so, the Spaniards who conquered Latin America and the British who conquered Southeast Asia causes depopulation along with cultural changes within the land they colonized.
The concept of imperialism is one that has pervaded nearly every major society or empire throughout human history. It seems to be a natural consequence of societies growing in size, power, and knowledge. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries vast changes occurred in Western Europe (and soon spread elsewhere) that spurred a new round of imperialism the likes of which had not been seen before. The changes were the industrial revolution that was taking place. Countries were rapidly advancing to industrial societies producing much greater quantities of goods at much lower costs. The goods produced ranged everywhere from cotton textiles to military machinery, all of which would play important roles in rounds of imperialistic expansion that would follow. The imperialistic displays by Western European nations also brought about several other industrial revolutions in other regions including the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and Japan. I will take a look at how the industrial revolution encouraged imperialistic expansion, as well as some of the results of that expansion in other regions.
Throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources. Colonizing other countries would then lead to growth and a better reputation for the dominating country. There are many examples of imperialism throughout European history. When many European countries “scrambled” for Africa, it seemed as though Africa had no say in anything. During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for their own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused.