What factors contributed to the rise of European imperialism in the 19th century?

In the 19th century imperialism was an important part of building European empires. The four major motives for imperialism are economic, strategic, religious and political. These motives helped great empires expand their territory and brought new cultures and languages to both the colonised countries and the countries colonising them. European countries such as Britain and France would use their colonies in Africa for economic gain. They would be able to exploit the country’s natural resources and bring them back to the “mother country” to sell and use. The natural resources would be able to be changed through factories and businesses that the African countries did not have. The colonies also provided people for labour. These people were paid in very low wages or would be taken as slaves for the new Europeans who moved to these colonies. New markets for goods were also now…show more content…
This increase in empire brought much pride to Europeans and increased nationalism. The European people saw the increase in colonisation as a good thing and it gave them a reason to feel superior to the countries with fewer colonies to their own. This then encouraged rival nations to join in the race for colonisation to compete with the other nations. The nations with the most colonies were considered to be superior and therefore brought European countries to fight for colonies more to win the hearts of their people and of the people from other countries. Because of the pride and nationalism that this brought, political parties would use the promise of colonisation to win votes during elections. There were many reasons and causes of imperialism however these four were by far the most influential of all. Imperialism increased trade, created strategic advantages, spread Christianity and education and increased nationalism. Imperialism was one of the major reasons for great Empires such as Great

  • POLITICAL CHANGE
  • MARKETS AND PEOPLE
  • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
  • IMPERIALISM

The 19th century was a revolutionary period for European history and a time of great transformation in all spheres of life. Human and civil rights, democracy and nationalism, industrialisation and free market systems, all ushered in a period of change and chance.

By the end of the century Europe had reached the peak of its global power. Social and national tensions as well as international rivalries festered however - all exploding in conflict at the beginning of the 20th century.

Audio guide:

  • Europe: a global power

POLITICAL CHANGE

The 19th century – an age of revolutions! Taking inspiration from the French Revolution of 1789, people across Europe challenged aristocratic ruling classes and fought for the development of civil and human rights, democracy and national independence.

Nationalism emerged as a revolutionary claim promising citizens more involvement in democracy, but it was exclusive, imagining a world of national territories inhabited by ethnically similar people. Some visionary Europeans, however, hoped for the unity of the continent beyond national allegiances.

Audio guide:

  • Political change

MARKETS AND PEOPLE

Steam, smoke, factories, noise – all announced the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. To different degrees manufacturing then spread across Europe turning the continent into the world centre of industrialisation, finance and commerce. New technical innovations initiated industrial progress with steam power driving the development of heavy industry. Methods of production were totally transformed and large factories with thousands of workers mass produced industrial and consumer goods.

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  • Industrialisation
  • The Communist Manifesto
  • Bourgeoisie
  • Working class

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Speed, dynamism and a belief in progress defined Europe at the end of the 19th century. Railways, electricity, cinema, photography and new theories in science and medicine affirmed Europe’s leading role in this technological coming of age. A time of optimism beckoned.

The arrival of the age of railways demonstrated Europe’s advance as an assured technological world leader. Industrialisation expanded and long-distance travel became possible across all social classes.

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  • Science and technology

IMPERIALISM

The 19th century witnessed a globally dominant Europe. Empires expanded, colonies amassed – all pushed energetically forward by the Industrial Revolution. Colonies provided the raw materials and luxury commodities to meet rising consumer demand, in return promising vast markets for European products. Abuse and inequality were excused as a necessary part of ‘civilising’ savage peoples. The gradual ending of slavery was followed by new forms of intolerance and racism.

By 1914 European countries ruled about 30 % of the world’s population. Europe had been involved in overseas exploration and trade for centuries, but the benefits of the Industrial Revolution enabled Europe to tighten its grip on other continents.

Audio guide:

  • Imperialism

What factors contributed to 19th century imperialism?

In the late 1800's, economic, political and religious motives prompted European nations to expand their rule over other regions with the goal to make the empire bigger. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800's created a need for natural resources to fuel the newly invented machinery and transportation.

What were the 3 main reasons for European imperialism?

Historians generally recognize three motives for European exploration and colonization in the New World: God, gold, and glory.

What were the two main reasons for European imperialism in the 19th century?

The three main motivators of European imperialism were economic growth, rivalry between nations, and moral superiority.

Which factor contributed to the rise of imperialism?

Imperialism results from a complex of causes in which in varying degrees economic pressures, human aggressiveness and greed, the search for security, the drive for power and prestige, nationalist emotions, humanitarianism, and many other factors are effective.