Was Imperialism approached just as a theoretical concept, would bedefined as the mere policy of extending a country’s power and influence throughdiplomacy or military force. Albeit this assertion is unassailable, Imperialismdoes epitomise multifarious kaleidoscopic meanings and implications that cannotbe exemplified in a utopian definition. Imperialism should not be labelled asthe pure outcome of territorial aspirations or military desiderata, thereforethere are more consistently significant and profound reasons behind itstringently correlated one to another. The aim of this essay is to explore whatthe fundamental effects of Imperialism have been, how they have impacted themodern reality and how they have enhanced interconnectedness in today’s world.This paper craves to illustrate how heterogeneous forms of Imperialism havecoexisted and how interconnectedness is an actual product of imperialisticchoices that our society witnessed in the few past decades.
C In order to better comprehend how Imperialism developed and whatwere the causes that made it boost, it is required to analyse some historicalfacts that occurred between the 19th and 20th century.With the eclipse of the Old Imperialism – more widely addressed as colonialism- many European nations commenced to seek new commercial routes with the FarEast, seaports and locations where trading with other states was possible, theyexplored the New World and instituted establishments in North and South Americaas well as in Southeast Asia. They constructed merchandise sites and obtainedsupport on the coasts of China and Africa where they collaborated with thelocal power holders to preserve the European economic interests. During the 70sof the 19th century the advent of the Age of New Imperialismobliged the Imperialistic countries to use a diverse approach in theirexpansionistic policies, this distinct method materialised into a systematicmilitary conquest of foreign territories that did know no limit. The burst ofthe Second Industrial Revolution boosts the already-existing process ofdevelopment created the possibility of making innovative discoveries in variousfields: the scientific one (vaccines), the technological (internal combustionengine), industrial (improvements in steel production) making possible theimprovements in the process of construction (railroad and shipbuilding). In1914 with the ultimate desire of creating a concrete propagandistic motto ofwhat Imperialism had caused was coined the expression “The Sun never sets onthe British Empire” that would be the emblematic apothegm of the BritishImperialism for the following years. Since then, Great Britain continued torepresent the unrivalled governmental institution able to enslave otherpeoples, nations and territories by virtue of the profoundly-rooted sentimentof expansionism and of the power that never deserted the hearts of Brits (TheAge of Imperialism (1870-1914), Dr. Bronkhurst).
Throughout the history, theworld has witnessed the development of three main types of Imperialism:Economic Imperialism, Political or Military Imperialism and CulturalImperialism. Each one does possess distinct targets and it is peculiar for itsspecific characteristics, they are all interconnected. The first form of Imperialism is – as yet mentioned – Economic Imperialism,which implies the actual willingness of a state to dominate and govern thepolitical arrangements of other nations for the sake of being able to profitfrom them financially. Great Britain manifested the desire of implementing thevolume of resources for its factories, which could be obtained at a lower priceby exploiting the presence of solid colonies in foreign nations in lieu ofpurchasing the identical supplies from other countries.
Great Britain employingits outstanding military capability created a massive empire that provided thewhole country with a broad control over various areas of the world (Cmkoren.”What are some types of imperialism?” eNotes, 24 Mar.2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-types-imperialism-642036). The second form ofImperialism finds its bases in the Political – or Military – Imperialism.
Political imperialism is defined as such when a state dominates the politicalsystem of other countries. By controlling the political system of one specificnation is possible to govern the entire state.British colonies were settled in North America and administered the colonies byhampering and interfering in their political system. British dominions werealso rooted in other parts of the world and by dint of a personal jurisdictionof manifold communities and areas, Great Britain could establish military basesthroughout the entire world. These bases enabled the British military to preserveand defend the lands they subjugated. (Cmkoren.
“What are some types ofimperialism?” eNotes, 24 Mar. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-types-imperialism-642036)The third type of Imperialism is Cultural – or Social- Imperialism. Cultural Imperialism can be elucidated as the actual act by anothernation to proliferate what it is deemed to be a superior way of life. The imperialisticcountries appraise there is a need of a guidance in improving the medical practicesof the people, and in evolving an educational apparatus, in illustrating peoplehow to lead constructive lives in the places they are controlling.
Social Imperialism involves the spreading of a religion, often Christianity,through the endeavour of missionaries. Imperial power also entails thespreading of the language of the Imperialist country and of its culture asmeans of colonisation of the peoples living in the specific region dominated (Cmkoren. “What aresome types of imperialism?” eNotes, 24 Mar. 2016, https://www.
enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-types-imperialism-642036). One between the most emblematic examples of the constrained acculturation of a colonized population was the influence Spaniardshad in Latin America, commencing with the conquest of the Aztec empire by Hernán Cortés during the firstyears of 16th century. After rooting in the region, the Spanish culturesuppressed the Mesoamerican one, prohibitingthe Indians to learn and transmit their culture while simultaneously compellingthem to imbibe and compose in Spanish and convert to Christianity. Thisbehavioural constriction was posolutely not unique to the Spanish; other casesof cultural depravity can include the influence of the Dutch in the East Indies, the British inIndia and the French in Africa (https://www.britannica.com/topic/cultural-imperialism).
