Imperialism
... Industrial Revolution were some of the main causes that lead to New Imperialism. As Europe strengthened they began to realize what power they had and started to commence on a path of great expansion. This period of time from 1870 to 1914 was known as the “New Imperialism”. Economic interests held a major importance in New Imperialism and Europe prospered economically from the revolution, the demand for natural resources like petrol, rubber, minerals, and chemicals was more than what Europe could provide. Also the Europeans wanted to expand and open up more markets. As a solution to the over demand of natural resources Europeans needed to expand overseas, they saw Africa and other regions as perfect place to get natural resources with their famous rivers and water resources. The Europeans saw the African people as “child like” and non-educated and put the African people into labor and hardship. Because of what the Europeans thought of them, they believed that they should spread their industrialized ways, culture, and religion towards the African people. Along with the demand for natural resources military and political issues contributed to Imperialism. Because of Europe’s Industrialization, steam-powered ships were a new means of transportation. In order to transport goods faster, more ports had to be based around the globe to transport coal and supplies. Natural resources also provided some of the tools of imperialism such as guns and artillery. Another cause of the new imperialism was nationalism, a growing sense of national identity and pride in one’s country, history and culture. The Europeans believed that their countries were so powerful and superior that they should expand and share their beliefs with the less fortunate. Nationalism lead to the desire for expansion and domination of other countries. This along with the industrial revolution started the invasion of Africa. As the European countries grew, they began to share their ways of life through missionaries and doctors who wanted to spread the ways of the western society like its medicine, law, ...