IMPERIALISM ESSAY
Write a detailed, well-organized essay which answers the following prompt:
Analyze the effects of the industrial revolution on imperialism.
Your essay should have at least 5 paragraphs.
1. An introduction which introduces the terms and the dates the essay will be dealing
with. The final sentence of the introduction should be a three point thesis, in
which you outline what you will be proving in this essay, and how.
2. Your first body paragraph in which you prove your 1st point
3. Your second body paragraph in which you prove your 2nd point
4. Your third body paragraph in which you prove your 3rd point
5. A conclusion paragraph where you tie everything together, and sum up your
arguments one last time to make your point perfectly clear
Because I am so wise, kind, and generous (and humble), I have taken mercy on you and
have provided you with an introduction paragraph AND a thesis for you to follow.
What you must then do, is finish the essay. First, though, I would like you to outline
what you will say, and run it by me so I can make sure you are on the right path.
Here is your intro. The last sentence (in bold) is the thesis. The underlined portions are
your first, second, and third points.
Imperialism, when one country dominates another for its own benefit, has
been around for centuries. Europe had colonies scattered all over the world by
1800. However, at that time the amount of influence Europe had within these
other regions was minimal. The 19th century’s industrial revolution changed that,
and created a more aggressive and extensive form of imperialism. In this ‘New
Imperialism’, Europe was able to take over most of the rest of the world between
the years of 1870 and 1914. The industrial revolution was the force behind
this New Imperialism, as it created not only the need for Europe to expand,
but the power to successfully take AND profitably maintain so many
colonies overseas.
OUTLINE
Thesis: The industrial revolution was the force behind this New Imperialism,
as it created not only the need for Europe to expand, but the power to successfully
take AND profitably maintain so many colonies overseas.
First point: The industrial revolution created the need for Europe to take colonies around
the world (how the Industrial Revolution made Europe want to expand)





Second point: The industrial revolution gave Europe the capability/power to take over so
much of the world so quickly (how the I.R. helped Europe get to and take all those
places)





Third point: The industrial revolution gave Europe the capability/power to efficiently
maintain and profit from so many colonies around the world. (how the I.R. helped
Europe keep control of the colonies, and get as much wealth from them as they could)




Conclusion: summarize all your main points again, wrap everything up, and connect it
once more to your thesis [don’t worry about this yet, do it when writing your actual
essay]
THE ESSAY
Now that you have all that prep-work done, you’re ready to start your essay! Use your
outline to help you. Your essay will be graded on how well you make your case, how
much support (info) you can meaningfully give, and how well the essay is written
grammatically.
Again, here is your introduction, and you can go from there.
GOOD LUCK!
Imperialism, when one country dominates another for its own benefit, has
been around for centuries. Europe had colonies scattered all over the world by
1800. However, at that time the amount of influence Europe had within these
other regions was minimal. The 19th century’s industrial revolution changed that,
and created a more aggressive and extensive form of imperialism. In this ‘New
Imperialism’, Europe was able to take over most of the rest of the world between
the years of 1870 and 1914. The industrial revolution was the force behind
this New Imperialism, as it created not only the need for Europe to expand,
but the power to successfully take AND profitably maintain so many
colonies overseas.