Essay about New Imperialism and Western expansion in Asia and Africa

Question: Explain the causes of the New Imperialism and Western expansion in Asia and Africa in early 1900. Answer: New Imperialism Imperialist and colonialist polices have come into subsistence prior to contemporary capitalism. Imperialism occurs when strong nation want to take over weaker nation for dominating over their cultural, economical and political life. After the industrial revolution, it has become a frequent practice of European countries for seeking new sources of raw material and market for selling the manufactured products (Berna 70). When look at the 19the century, there was a huge conflict among the countries of Europe for overseas territories. The causes of new imperialism are explained in this study. Imperialism was related to Darwinism and racism. This theory explains how new species are created and how existing one become extinct. This theory was used to justify the European imperialism and colonialism. It was the belief of European countries that superior races should dominate inferior races by military forces for showing their power and influence over them (Potter 34). They also believed that they are strongest race in the world and world convey civilization in the world. Thus, the used to take the way of new imperialism for making their power over another country and make inferior countries more civilized. Another reason for imperialism is Economic Reason. There was huge demand of natural resources in western countries in terms of tin, oil and rubber. Instead of doing trading with the countries having natural resources, the western countries had chosen to get a direct control over these countries. Furthermore, economic expansion needed control over the new market for buying and selling product and cheap labor for increasing the production and capital surplus (Pokalova 336). Therefore, the superior countries chose the way of new imperialism for getting control over the countries having full of natural resources. One of another important cause of new imperialism is cultural and religious motives of superior countries. It was the belief of European countries that they have some moral responsibilities over non-Europeans. They thought that they would convey civilization in non-civilized countries. They also thought that they were more humanitarian and would bring humanism to all unenlightened countries (Pradella 119). Europeans had taken new imperialism policies in which catholic missionaries took the duty to convert the non-Christian people of inferior countries to Christian religion. Western expansion in Asia and Africa in early 1900 In mid-to-late 19th century, before industrial revolution, there was huge demand of oriental goods for expanding the industries in overseas territories. This demand was the driving force of European countries to adopt imperialism action over Asian Countries. This was the main reason for which British East India Company ruled over India. It has been found that between 1870s and early 1990s during the time of World War 1, United Kingdom, Netherlands and France and established their colonial power over Asia (Potter 34). They had added to their empires vast expanses of territory in Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and South East Asia. In the same period such as in early 1900s, Japan Empire, German Empire and United States emerged their new imperial power over East Asia and Pacific Ocean Area. During the latter half of 19th century, Europeans began to explore in the interiors of Africa for getting the natural resources existing this nation (Berna 70). By the year 1914, entire continent ha d been colonized one after one by the competing European countries. Reference List Berna, Ioana-Bianca. "The Discourse of New Imperialism in Southeast Asia."Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice5.1 (2013): 70. Pokalova, Elena. "Putin's Wars: The Rise of Russia's New Imperialism."Small Wars Insurgencies26.2 (2015): 335-337. Potter, Simon J. "Jingoism, Public Opinion, And The New Imperialism: Newspapers and Imperial Rivalries at the fin de sicle."Media History20.1 (2014): 34-50. Pradella, Lucia. "Imperialism and capitalist development in Marxs Capital."Historical Materialism21.2 (2013): 117-147.