Ideologies Behind Imperialism: Justifying the Power of Nations - Essay Sample

Introduction

Imperialism was a policy that aimed at extending the rule of a powerful nation to other nations. It was popularly done through military conquests. It was common throughout history throughout up to 1870s. This paper discusses the ideologies that supported imperialism; how the powerful nations justified it. It also discusses the negatives of imperialism.

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Ideologies of Imperialism

The main ideologies that supported imperialism included political power which entailed the growing imperialism. The idea of imperialism made the powerful countries start a competition with others as a matter of pride, security and prestigious status. Another ideology behind imperialism was religious policy and growing awareness. There was a need for some Christian societies to spread the gospel hence supported imperialism to a point. It was also an opportunity to spread western culture and values. There was also the spread of education which accompanied imperialism. It is almost similar to colonialism but is more related to ideas and trade, rather than political.

Anti-Imperialism

The nations advocating for this inhuman move by the knowledge of making maps and knowledge in geography (Pearchy,2019). The unjust move claimed that it was a way of getting a supply of raw materials from untapped lands that were still of natural resources for their factories. They claimed to also look for a way of acquiring more land to settle its citizens and new military bases. They also claimed to be acquiring cheap labor to work in plantations.

There are several reasons against imperialism. The first one was the fact that it was a forceful rule imposed on people against their wish(Pearchy,2019). The fact that these imperial powers were set up by foreigners against the will of the indigenous people of that particular place made it unpopular. People lost their independence and succumbed to the imperial rules that enslaved them in their lands and example is the imperial rules in Africa where millions of people were maimed, tortured and enslaved.

The second reason against imperialism is that imperialism entangled countries with issues and affairs which were initially foreign. Such entanglement in foreign policies was risky and not healthy for the survival of a nation which was initially unique in its affairs and political decisions.

Imperialism led to the erosion of the originality of some countries that were ruled. Morality and the kinship ties were eroded and the values that were deep failed. Westernization, for example, took over most places.

Imperialism was costly to the taxpayers of mother countries such as Britain, which had empires in other continents. Running of operations and shipments were very costly, making the taxpayers suffer the burden of the conquest.

Conclusion

Imperialism had many negatives as it created poverty in the foreign countries which were exploited of their valuable minerals vegetation and even human labor. The effect of this action is still evident to date. The countries that suffered from imperialism are now dependent on their mother countries for funding and support in several fields such as medicine, education, and research.

Finally, imperialism was a traditional, uncivilized and unfair way of getting needs. It should have been cooperation made of mutual agreement and not force. It should have been a meeting of leaders to find a way of solving each other's problems in a way that never had harm to other parties.

Reference

Pearcy, M. (2019). "In One Direction Only"-Exploring the Impact of Imperialism between Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oregon Journal of the Social Studies, 130. https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNRM4DezwzrmE7pK3vGM3Ij0B8w3Vg:1580917109315&q=Pearcy,+M.+(2019).+In+One+Direction+Only-Exploring+the+Impact+of+Imperialism+between+Belgium+and+the+Democratic+Republic+of+the+Congo.+Oregon+Journal+of+the+Social+Studies,+130.&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdguGV37rnAhWP3eAKHXJVCUUQgwN6BAgLECY&biw=1024&bih=625