Imperialism and Colonialism

By the turn of the 19^th century, most of the European countries were industrialised. These countries needed constant supply of raw materials and a ready market for selling the finished goods. So they began to extend control over areas which were not industrialised.

The capitalists too needed new places and new industries to invest their surplus capital since these needs could not be fulfilled in their own countries or in neighboring areas. This practice of extending control or rule over the political and economic life of another country is known as Imperialism.

This may be done through military or other means. Colonialism meant to acquire colonies and making them dependent by conquest or other means. It was the need for raw materials, markets and places for investment of capital which prompted the imperial nations to conquer lands outside their country.

The main feature of Imperialism was economic domination of colonies by an imperial nation through military conquest, political rule or by any other method. The wealth and resources were drained out from the colonies to the imperial countries. The interest of the colonies was subjected to the interests of the imperial country. The country which conquers another land is known as the Imperial Country while the conquered land is known as a Colony.

By the end of the 19^th century almost all countries of Asia and Africa were under the control of one or the other European nations. These industrialised countries chose Asia and Africa to extend their dominance. This was because these countries were rich in resources but were politically and militarily weak and industrially backward.

Unfortunately, they were too far and distant. Without good means of communication, no countries would be able to make profit from them. The growth of Imperialism coincided with the growth of transport and communication. Good roads, steamships, railways and canals were being built by industrialised nations in their own countries and in the colonies. Easy transportation of goods to and from the colonies made things easier for these countries.

Troops could also be easily sent to colonies. With the development of telegraph and telephone, messages could be sent easily. Almost every country now came within the easy reach of imperial countries.

Extreme Nationalism became a major force in the extension of Imperialism. For pride, prestige and glory, some countries like Italy and Germany conquered lands belonging to others. By this time, the Europeans who had developed a feeling of racial superiority considered the people of Asia and Africa as backward. According to them, it was ‘the white man’s burden’ to civilise the ‘backward people’. So it was their duty to conquer these countries, spread Christianity and bring enlightenment to them. This feeling provided a moral justification for the conquest of these lands.

This was not difficult as adventurers and explorers played a significant role in inciting a desire among Europeans for conquering lands. They brought back valuable information about the lands they discovered and described the wealth and resources they saw in these remote lands.