Introduction
From a historical perspective, Imperialism is defined through the practice undertaken by Great Britain, in an attempt to expand and colonize. The British Empire saw this as a noble cause during the era of expansion, as they sought to colonize, and bring the world together and closer, under one rule. However, this, later on, became the initial cause for what later on resulted in World War I. Imperialism paved the way for imperial rivalry among the European nations. One of the main instigators of this strife was in fact imperialism itself. Imperialism explains the practice of a stronger nation exploiting the resources of a lesser nation by colonizing them and claiming ownership of their resources. Imperial rivalries amongst the strong nations resulted in World War I.
Discussion
Imperialism defines the methods through which stronger nations claim dominance over a lesser nation, by colonizing them and putting a claim over their resources. The colonies also served as a good resource for cheap labor, agriculture, and an important prospect of becoming trading posts. Every colonization follows a different pattern, there were times when stronger nations employed the use of war, infiltration, political pressure, or annexation. These newly claimed areas to be colonized are governed by a “Mother country” with soldiers stationed in the area to suppress any forms of rebellion, and retaliation and to deter any imperial rivals attempting to take over the colonies. The chief use of most colonies was related to economic benefits, geographical advantage, or extraction of resources to help strengthen the mother country.
Before World War I, the strongest, richest, and most dominant of the imperials was Great Britain. They were known for their control and dominance over a quarter of the globe’s area. Among the other imperial rivals, Britain captured areas with little to no effort mostly, but the areas of South Africa proved to be one the most challenging ones for now. However, the main concern for Britain’s continuous conquest was to promote trade and improve the channel of importing prepared goods. Another prominent factor that placed Britain at an advantage was its unrivaled naval strength. Initiating right after the second half of the 1800s most imperial powers pushed their boundaries, seeking continuous expansion in order to spread their influence and gain a military advantage, compared to their rival (Bowen 2005).
Africa became one of the starting sparks toward imperial rivalry, which later on heated things between the European countries. Germany and Italy, known for their imperial strength, next to Britain, continuously sought to acquire new land (Schoonover 1991). Having Ottoman Empire lost on all ends, and started its decline, and imperials rushed in to suppress each other while claiming their dominion over the new lands.
Conclusions
The imperial rivalry that later on became the reason for World War I, was instigated due to a collision of imperial power. Acquisition of land and the desire to conquer and claim brought the issue of a power struggle between the countries. Before World War I, the strongest, richest, and most dominant of the imperials was Great Britain. Britain’s continuous conquest was to promote trade and improve the channel of importing prepared goods. Another prominent factor that placed Britain at an advantage was its unrivaled naval strength. Great Britain, was known for their control and dominance over a quarter of the globe’s area. Initiating right after the second half of the 1800s most imperial powers pushed their boundaries, seeking continuous expansion in order to spread their influence and gain a military advantage, compared to their rival. German and Italy, known for their imperial strength, next to Britain, continuously sought to acquire new land. Various elements started to ignite the conflict that later on turned into World War I.
Works Cited
Bowen, Huw Vaughan. The Business of Empire: The East India Company and Imperial Britain, 1756–1833. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Schoonover, Thomas David. The United States in Central America, 1860-1911: episodes of social imperialism and imperial rivalry in the world system. Duke University Press, 1991.
