Imperialism?

Question

What do yall think were the underlying reasons for the dominant countries wanting to spread their influence? Were their desires understandable, why or why not? Give examples to support your answer.

Answer 1

The underlying reasons for Japan's imperialism, from 1895 - 1945 were many: a growing population, very limited resources, the quick modernisation of Japan's industry and the rapid militarisation of their society, and lastly zenophobia. Their desire to expand their influence was understandable, since it was a matter of economic survival. The result, their wars of aggression against the Europeans in Asia and their fellow Asians, was less understandable. While many Asians did want their independence, they didn't want to switch one colonialist master for another less benevolent one. The Europeans spread their influence in Asia for nearly four hundred years - the Japanese for only four (in many places).

Answer 2

There is an often used phrase in imperial histories, and that is "Accidental Empire".

Usually a process is started when a nation that has grown powerful looks to defend it's economic interests overseas. Once they have established themselves as controlling a new nation for economic reasons, then comes the problem.

Often the territory they have just taken over was disputed by another group locally. This group will then attack the new arrivals. However, if the local group was stronger than the nation that the imperialist just took over, then the nation that was taken over wouldn't be there anyway...In other words the locals will almost certainly be weaker than the imperialists.

So after taking over one territory, the imperialist is attacked by a weaker enemy.

Believing that the imperialist system is inherently better than the local system (take "our" military superiority for one piece of evidence), the imperialist feels justified in taking over the next territory.

Then the Imperialist gets attacked again, and so on and so forth.

A feeling of superiority leads to intervention, often for economic reasons. The next nation along doesn't like it, and so it goes.

This leads to large Empires that were never intentionally built, which is why many are called accidental empires.

You have to consider the possibility, that there is no underlying conscious reason, just this mechanism.

Answer 3

The game Risk is so well designed. If you haven't played it, you need to. It's a game with dice where the object is to rule the world.

I think securing resources of a human, capital, or natural nature was always the driving force - no matter how moral a country may have guised it as faith, discovery, or commerce.

In the past it allowed developed countries to exploit indigenous peoples' lands at an economical price.

Egypt never tried to expand and they're the oldest country in the world. England controlled 10% of Earth's land mass at one time. Today, they're about the size of Louisiana.

Answer 4

Well, let's first get over the anti-European bias most people have. Who do you think built the Great Pyramids? Slaves captured from neighboring tribes. Who built the great cities of the Incas, Mayas and Aztecs? Slaves captured from neighboring tribes. Slavery and "imperialism" are traits common to every culture throughout history.

The causes of European imperialism are simple. More powerful cultures took advantage of weaker cultures. It's the story of history. Not to excuse it, but just to understand it.

Answer 5

i think they did it because they knew how easy it would be to take control and advantage over the poor and impoverished african countries. i honestly cant think of any other reason.