Growth of Imperialism
Last Updated       1/20/2008     1/13/2008

Imperialism is the policy of setting up colonies and building empires.
Countries rushed to take over parts of the world that were still left after discovery and expansion.
Italy and Germany wanted to catch up with France and Great Britain.
New colonial powers were added.
Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

Reasons for the Rise of Imperialism
The Industrial Revolution
Industrialized countries needed raw materials; rubber, cotton, oil, tin, and copper.
They needed tea, sugar, and cocoa.
Raw materials and food could be found in areas that were not industrialized.
These areas were Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Industries also needed new markets for their products.
Investments in underdeveloped areas could bring large profits.

Nationalism
People thought colonies would bring more power to their country.

Duty
It was the duty of western countries to "civilize" the "backward" people of the world.
If a peoples' way of life and religion were different they were "backward."
It was the duty of westerners to spread Christianity and the Industrial Revolution.
Kipling called this "the white man's burden."

Bibliography
Greenblatt, Miriam, and Lemmo, Peter. Human Heritage A World History. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill, 2001.