Political History - European History

Many European nations and empires practiced colonialism, the act of colonizing other lands - often destroying the native cultures already existing there. This was usually done to take advantage of the resources the land contained, or to simply spread an empire's global influence. The other answers are incorrect because they refer to other political processes.

Though formerly colonized by the Dutch, beginning in 1612 England assumed control of India, due mostly to the value of the spices and teas they could import from India. In 1947 India achieved independence.

European leaders met in Berlin in 1884 to decide which European nations would be able to colonize which regions of Africa. Many of the boundaries they set were drawn arbitrarily, ignoring the existing ethnic and cultural boundaries of the people who already lived there.

Marxism focuses on the economic class struggle between the rich and the poor. Its ideology does not provide a motivation for Imperialism. All the other choices are motivating factors for Imperialism.

Colonizing another country provides access to their natural resources, an available and cheap source of labor from its inhabitants, and a market to which to sell manufactured goods, all of which contribute to a favorable balance of trade.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture is superior to others. Europeans justified Imperialism by stating they were "civilizing" inferior cultures by introducing them (sometimes by force) to European language, culture and religion.

When a country becomes imperialistic (an imperial power, or ruler over large territory), they take control over another country or people's economy (money/trade), social (their culture/religion/language), and political (government/leaders/rulers/laws) areas or ways of life. Often, a country takes control in order to take advantage of natural resources in an attempt to make more money and become all-powerful.

Colonialism is achieved when a country only settles a territory or takes advantage of its commerce, or trade. Colonialism does not intend to take control of the territory as a whole like imperialism, which gain control of much, much more. In a colony, the people native to the area still have control of many aspects of their lives, whereas territories of an empire are essentially absorbed into the mother country.

Social Darwinism was a theory developed by Herbert Spencer, a social engineer pre-dating Charles Darwin's evolution theories. Spencer coined the phrase "survival of the fittest", meaning those that are the most fit or able should, and will, survive compared to those that are weaker.

To help justify the complete take over of other civilizations, imperialists argued that they were the more fit members of the human race and everyone else were weak and did not deserve to survive, have power/authority, or identity.

The Triangle Trade included three major passages across the Atlantic Ocean between the years 1600-1800, creating the shape of a triangle between Europe, Africa, and North America. The good listed in the question (especially raw goods, and slaves) were traded along these routes and colonial powers came to count on this trade in their economies.

Ultimately, a country would pay for its imports by way of its exports (an exchange of goods).

King Leopold II of Belgium only gained control of a small piece of Africa (Belgian Congo), and he maintained support from his subjects at home through deception. King Leopold II portrayed himself as an honorable missionary helping the natives, with a mission to better the quality of their lives. In reality, however, he gave leadership to individuals who allowed native workers who were slaves to be maimed or murdered as punishment for underperformance. Furthermore, under King Leopold's leadership, the native Congolese experienced what present-day experts would describe as genocidal acts (such as rape, violence, oppression, death, overall safety and liberty threatened).

One positive outcome from King Leopold's atrocious legacy is modern-day humanitarianism. Belgian subjects heard of his violations against human rights and activated against them.

England was at the front of the imperialism race because they had already developed their overseas colonies/territories by the beginning of the 19th century. They had colonies on every continent and maintained them over time, but the other European nations either had a late start, did not have as many colonies, or lost the colonies for various reasons (rebellion, for instance).

One reason England was able to become so powerful and maintain it colonies was because of wealth and man power.

When European powers infiltrated foreign territories, the original form of the people, economy, and political ways was interrupted. In many cases, leadership was re-established by the European power taking over which caused a lot of turmoil among the natives. Large amounts of the native population died due to maltreatment and malnourishment, over-working, violence, and exposure to foreign diseases. The European powers would also completely take over profit made from the natural resources, and in many cases the natural resources would become completely exhausted and dry up.

By the time the European power left or was driven out of the territory, the native peoples' lives were so overturned that they were unable to function and fell into civil wars, further ravaging themselves.

Germany wanted to become powerful and have many colonies/territories, but they started trying too late. By the time they joined the race, England, France, Portugal, Spain, and Holland had already become the main imperial powers of Europe. Germany tried to squeeze in by undermining France or England, but their alliance was too strong. Due to this misfortune, Germany lost opportunities to make money and the tension began (especially when they attempted to take over European powers).

Decolonization (of Asia and Africa, 1945-1960) did not all happen at the same time, and it did not always occur in the same way. Some areas had a lot more tension, oppression, and overall upheaval of the natives' way of life, which in turn caused a revolution. A colony may have been expensive to maintain, but when utilized properly it would create a lot of revenue (which was worth fighting for). In other cases European powers welcomed new relationships with their former colonies and peacefully rescinded power of the territory.

While under European rule, territories were divided in non-strategic ways according to the natural make up of the area. For instance, the Middle East was divided in ways that grouped warring religious sects, and areas of Africa were split into groups who did not speak the same language.

Globalization resulted from imperialism because powerful countries opened trade networks--effectively opening communication of ideas, movement of people, and generating commerce. This process of global expansion pushed civilization forward into technological and social advancements that had previously never been imagined. For example, the Industrial Revolution was partially possible because of natural resources from European colonies, which acted as fuel for production in factories (examples: coal, cotton, ore).

In more recent times (the past century), countries around the world have begun to work together in organizations, such as the United Nations, in order to effectively maintain this process, as well as protect one another from outside threats.

Ethiopia was briefly occupied by Italy, but European nations were unsuccessful in their attempts to take over the territory. Ethiopia was an ancient civilization with deep roots, and its leader, Emperor Menelik II, was able to drive out the Italians at the Battle of Adwa.

Liberia was never taken by European nations because it had been created by the United States as a place for newly freed "African" slaves to return "home".

The affects of colonization and imperialism are still seen in current times because during the spread of powerful countries, people migrated (either by choice or force), resources were traded, animals migrated and mated with native species (creating new species), new countries were formed, and more. A perfect example of a result of colonization: the creation of the United States of America, and then its expansion (or imperialism) of what is now present-day USA.

The Soviet policy of glasnost was initiated in 1985 and was designed to provide openness and transparency in government by loosening the previously tight restrictions on freedom of the press. It was accompanied by perestroika, a restructuring of the Soviet economy to provide rudimentary moves away from a totally state-run economy.

The Final Solution was Hitler's plan to eradicate all Jewish and non-Aryan people from Germany (and German-conquered regions of Europe). It included concentration camps, mass extermination, and forced labor.

The 1500s marked the rise of nations ruled by absolute monarchs in Europe. Members of a nation developed a common identity, in which they saw themselves as different from members of other nations. This process is referred to as "nationalism." The other answers are incorrect because they occurred at other points in European history.