List and dicuss some of the factors that aided European imperalism in the late 1800s
These sites have a lot of good information.
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/imperialism.html
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/imperialism,+19th-century+European
To understand the factors that aided European imperialism in the late 1800s, we need to consider the historical context of the time. During this period, European nations were driven by a desire for power, resources, and prestige, which led to the expansion of their empires across the globe. Several factors facilitated this process:
1. Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution transformed Europe, leading to technological advancements and increased productivity. This resulted in a greater demand for raw materials, such as minerals, cotton, and rubber, which European powers sought to obtain from distant colonies.
2. Economic motives: European countries sought new markets to sell their manufactured goods and generate profits. Imperialism offered access to markets in colonized regions, ensuring a steady supply of consumers and a profitable outlet for surplus goods. Colonies also provided captive markets as they were restricted from trading with nations other than the imperial power.
3. Nationalism and pride: European countries were driven by a sense of national prestige and a desire to establish dominance over other nations. Colonies were seen as symbols of power and status, allowing European nations to assert their influence on a global scale and compete with each other.
4. Technological advantage: European powers possessed superior technology, including firearms, transportation infrastructure (railways, steamships), and medical advancements (treatments for malaria and other tropical diseases). These technological advantages contributed to the success of imperialist endeavors, providing military supremacy and facilitating access to more remote areas.
5. Religious and humanitarian motivations: Some European powers justified their imperialism through religious and humanitarian reasons. Missionaries sought to spread Christianity, while others believed they were saving indigenous populations from perceived backwardness or barbarism. Although these motivations were often used to legitimize colonization, they did not erase the inherently exploitative nature of imperialism.
6. Rivalries and diplomacy: European powers engaged in intense diplomatic rivalries and competition. The "Scramble for Africa," for example, was driven by the strategic desire to secure territories to prevent others from gaining control over key regions. The pursuit of political and military advantage ensured that imperialism became a way for European nations to assert dominance and exercise control.
It is essential to note that these factors acted in combination, and the motivations for imperialism varied among different European powers. Furthermore, this explanation is a general overview, and there are additional complexities and specific cases that may be worthy of further exploration.