Effects of Imperialism -

Imperialism is when a mother country takes over a smaller nation or colony for political, social, and/or economic reasons.  Imperialism has been a major force in shaping the modern world.  The effects of Imperialism have been interpreted from a variety of viewpoints.  This major Imperialism occurred during the late 19th Century and early 20th century.  It had more negative effects in the modern world today then positive effects.

A positive effect is seen in document one called "Modern Progressive Nations," it shows how the larger nations gave to the smaller colonies.  The nations built them roads, canals, and railways.  Showed them the telegraph, newspaper, established schools for them, gave them the blessing of their civilization, and overall made them economized.  They were part of modern culture after this occurred.  Another positive effect is seen in document three called "Colonial Governments and Missionaries. " It shows how the colonial governments introduced improved medical care, and better methods of sanitation.  There were new crops; tools and farming methods, which helped, increase food production.  These changes meant less death to smaller colonies, and overall improve the state of living.  They now could live longer and have better sanitation compared to the earlier imperialism.

A negative effect is seen document two-called "Colonization."  In the picture you can see that the colonies doing the mother countrys hard work did not civilize the smaller colonies.  They were put to work as cheap labor.  They had no freedom, had to do what the mother country said since it has so much towering power over them, they were exploited and were taken advantage of.  Another negative effect is seen in document four called "Missionaries."  In this quote you can see that when the white people came to the Africans they had nothing but power over them.  They came with the Bible and no land, and instead took their land and forced the religion Christianity upon them.   In document five-called "The White Man," another negative effect occurs.  In this little tale or quote, David Diop talks about how the whites came and killed the innocent.  This had many negative effects on Africa such as the African's were put to work as slaves but more like cheap labor.  Many of them dies from this, they were resettled, exploited, weren't taken at their free will and took all of their land.  The last negative effect can be seen in document seven called "The German Cartoon." This cartoon shows how severely the presence of imperialism affected such continents as Africa.  The man in the machine is being forced to drink hard liquor and alcohol, they were corrupted and given evil minds, their money was all taken away, and most of all religion was forced upon them.

Imperialism is never considered as a good cause and effect.  At first when it occurs it may seem as a positive effect, but in the long run, for example in this case it was a negative effect.  All Africans and Asians were heavily exploited and were given no rights to do anything even though the mother countries gave them modern culture.  Colonies inside colonies would fight because they wanted independence and have their own government and rule.  There were many ethnics group that had nationalistic feelings but could not accomplish anything and become a free nation because of Imperialism.  The mother country's that did the taking over were only after a few things and unfortunately did happen to accomplish what they were after.  They wanted raw materials, markets for goods, national glory, balance of power and they also felt as though they needed to help smaller nations as though it was their burden, which Europeans called "White Man's Burden."  In their point of view they thought they were helping people but really all they were doing was hurting the smaller colonies.  Mother countries were destroying ethnic groups and causing civil wars between smaller nations.  This newer modern Imperialism was never productive. 

 When a mother country took over a smaller colony for economic, political or social reason, they were Imperialistic.  As shown they changed the modern world plenty and pretty much made it a harder world to live in at that time.  It all depends on which viewpoints you may look at.  Some may think it was a positive thing but overall, it only led to things in this world that were negative.  Even thought the modern Imperialism occurred no more then 100 years ago, it still affects us greatly, and how our nation is broken down.