Why did European countries expand and take colonies overseas? Why didn't others powerful societies like the Ottomans, Ming Chinese take the same path?
I'll be glad to check your answers.
Thanks...
I am not completely sure. I Believe the primary agenda was to spread Christianity.
I disagree. Money is the strongest motivator. What economic reasons did the European countries have to take colonies?
agricultural: the urgency for basic resources harvested and expedited within Europe.
Financial backing as well compared to other empires
The European countries needed the raw materials from its colonies. These colonies then would buy back the finished products made in Europe.
Um... hello there. It depends what era you are speaking of. If referring to the first colonial expansion the whole could be summed up in "God, Glory, and Gold". Europeans have an evangelical religion, meaning it actively searches out converts. Calvinism is one such religion. Also, why stay at home and live a peasant, when one could be a new world lord? Or why be a scullery maid, when a single trip by sea made you a lady in court? (Both were true, but especially of women since European females were few and far between and most wanted a wife from the homeland.)
Then there was the primary concern of economics. Trade within Europe was all very well and good, but the mercantile policy of Colbert specifically listed colonies as a form of income (See the economic cycle between colony and empire) for good reason. Then, we also have the fact that the governments were ready to back such expeditions.
But why didn't other nations try to win colonies? The other nations were, for the most part, very large and it isn't to say they didn't have colonies. The Ottoman empire swallowed the Balkans and the Ming dynasty had a good lot of territory that encompassed the area of all of Europe. Neither found the idea of expanding beyond one's capabilities feasible. May I also say that, while China was stable, the sea wasn't. Pirates and haijin-turn-pirates were a problem for many emperors. Also, let's not forget the rigid system based of the classics rather than the sciences. The downfall of the Chinese was that they didn't put the same amount of energy into the sciences as their European counterparts, which they are rectifying in this modern age.
The second colonial expansion (also called imperialism) met a China (weakened by the Opium wars and other battles) out for the count as Japan invaded and the Ottomans "the dying man of Europe" failed miserably to keep the Balkans in line. This was funded by the industrial revolution, in which arms became common and nationalism was a no-brainer. Of course, that led to World War I, so we could guess why they didn't expand this time around.
Okay, I probably didn't answer your question, but I hope I was helpful in some way.
European countries expanded and took colonies overseas due to a combination of economic, political, and cultural factors. Let's break it down to understand why others like the Ottomans and Ming Chinese did not take the same path.
1. Economic Factors: European countries sought to establish overseas colonies to secure valuable resources such as spices, precious metals, and raw materials. These resources were in great demand in Europe and could generate significant profits. Additionally, the European countries aimed to establish new markets for their manufactured goods, which would boost their economies.
2. Technological Advancements: European nations had a significant advantage over other societies in terms of technological progress during the period of expansion. They possessed superior naval technology, such as advanced shipbuilding techniques, navigational instruments like the astrolabe and compass, and improved weaponry like cannons. These advancements enabled European countries to embark on long maritime voyages and explore distant lands.
3. Political and Military Factors: European countries developed strong centralized states and navies, which provided them with the necessary infrastructure and resources to support overseas expansion. These states also competed with each other for power and influence through colonization, which further fueled expansion. In contrast, the Ottoman and Ming Chinese societies had more centralized land-based empires and focused their attention on consolidating their territories rather than venturing abroad.
4. Cultural Factors: European societies were driven by a spirit of exploration and discovery, encouraged by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. These intellectual movements emphasized the importance of exploration, scientific progress, and a worldview that emphasized the need to expand territories. In contrast, societies like the Ottomans and Ming Chinese had more inward-looking and self-sufficient cultures, which placed less emphasis on overseas exploration and expansion.
5. Geographical Factors: Geography played a role in shaping the expansion patterns of different societies. Many European nations, such as Portugal and Spain, faced the Atlantic Ocean, which presented more opportunities for exploration and colonization. On the other hand, the Ottoman Empire faced difficulties expanding beyond its landlocked position, and the Ming Chinese faced geographic barriers like the Great Wall and the vastness of Asia.
In summary, European countries expanded and took colonies overseas due to a combination of economic, technological, political, and cultural factors. Other powerful societies like the Ottomans and Ming Chinese did not follow the same path primarily due to differing geopolitical circumstances, technological disparities, cultural values, and a focus on consolidating their existing territories.