Which of the following serves as an example of imperialism?
A The adoption of the machine gun by the German army
B The building of the HMS dreadnought
C Belgian expansion in the Congo
D The creation of Germany as a nation state
C. Belgian expansion in the Congo
C Belgian expansion in the Congo
The correct answer to the question is C) Belgian expansion in the Congo. This is an example of imperialism because it highlights Belgium's control and exploitation of the Congo region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
To arrive at this answer, let's break down the options and analyze each one:
A) The adoption of the machine gun by the German army: While the adoption of the machine gun by the German army was a significant advancement in military technology, it does not directly represent imperialism. It is more related to advancements in warfare and military strategy.
B) The building of the HMS Dreadnought: The HMS Dreadnought was a revolutionary battleship built by the British navy in the early 20th century. While it had a significant impact on naval power, it does not specifically illustrate imperialism. It was primarily a response to advancements in naval technology.
C) Belgian expansion in the Congo: This option aligns with the concept of imperialism as it refers to the historical period when Belgium colonized and exploited the Congo. King Leopold II of Belgium, with a personal agenda, established direct control over the region, exploiting its vast resources and subjecting the Congolese population to forced labor and brutal treatment.
D) The creation of Germany as a nation state: The creation of Germany as a nation state is not directly connected to imperialism. It primarily refers to the political unification of various German states into one unified country, which occurred in 1871.
In conclusion, option C, Belgian expansion in the Congo, is the best example of imperialism among the given options.