Question

In your own words analyze the causes of Imperialism and use specific examples to support them.

Answer 1

Imperialism is a relationship between countries that is based on ideas of superiority and applying domination practices, which involve the extension of authority and control of one State or people over another. It can also be a political doctrine that justifies the domination of one people or State over others; usually through different types of colonization (settlement, economic exploitation, strategic military presence) or cultural subordination (acculturation).

There were several causes of Imperialism. The crisis of 1873 caused the decline in prices, products of each country prohibiting the entry of foreign goods or taxing them. This led to the need to find new markets that were not controlled by this system. On the other hand, European capitalist powers such as England, the Netherlands and France needed to give out their capital surplus and did so by investing it in countries of other continents, establishing loans, implementing railroads, installing ports, etc. In addition, these countries needed to look for raw materials for their industries, since they began to run out or to be scarce in Europe. The Second Industrial Revolution, on the other hand, needed new raw materials that Europe did not have, such as silver, oil, rubber, gold, copper, etc. The economic causes were the result of the expansion of industrial capital and were forced to seek new territories where they could invest the excess capital accumulated, these capitals found a productive output in the form of credits granted to the minority of indigenous people.