DBQ: What Factors Drove Imperialism?
During the century between 1800 and early 1900 imperialism that saw powerful countries
extend their dominance over weaker regions was as a result of the following. European countries,
along with the USA extended their domination to Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. The
causes of imperialism included; economic benefits, political war, beliefs, and technology. All of
these aspects kept the nations searching for the territory outside their reach, commanding them,
and steering for wealth and authority.
The economy was one of the driving forces behind imperialism. European nations
established industries in the nineteenth century that required producible products for industrial
application such as rubber, cotton, and coal which the nations could not afford. It is worthy of
note, however, that these countries began to look towards Africa as well as Asia for raw
materials and new markets for their manufactured products. Document 1 says, “Both demand for
labor and the opportunity for capital investment depend on the foreign market.” Colonies were
needed for the supply of basic materials and controlling them meant European countries could
feed their growing industrial revolution and economies. It was a quest for the supplies of these
sources that was one of the main causes for colonizing the underdeveloped territories.
Competition between politics and the military between the countries also contributed a
lot. European countries such as Britain, France, and Germany wanted to have a large empire they
thought would empower them in the international community. As stated in Document 6, “Only a
Navy will allow this nation to extend its influence, and also act as a first line of defense.” That
like due to indemnities of the emergent countries, the others should also grow because otherwise,
they would lose their position. Others offered secure and convenient locations for military use
and helped to defend trade routes thus increasing its international standing. This fierce
competition resulted from imperialism clashing between the imperialist nations who should
protect and expand territories.
Racism also helped with the spread of imperialism. They thought of themselves as more
civilized than people of other continents and felt obliged to bring them a better culture, language,
and religion. This belief was known as the “White Man’s Burden” a reason used to invade and
“civilize” other communities. According to the image in Document 3, one can see that the white
man is carrying the Chinese, Africans, Filipinos, and Arabs. This represents the idea of the White
Mans burden. Christianity's secular enlightenment and civilization itself were also extended to
colonized people, eliminating the old ways of ordering and giving life. While they thought they
were doing so, this culture often imposed extended itself as a detriment to native civilization.
In conclusion, imperialism was driven by economic, political, cultural, as well as
technology. European countries, and also America, tried to enlarge their spheres of influence to
acquire raw materials, frustrate competitors, spread their civilization, and show their power to the
world. Imperialism bestowed substantial capital and power to the imperialist nations while its
outcomes were tremendously destructive in the territories they seized, they disoriented the local
pre-existing culture and monopolized their natural endowments.