Lauren Preston

November 14, 2016

Why is Imperialism Important in World History?

Everything in history has a cause and an effect. The American Revolution occurred due

to harsh treatment from Great Britain. The importance of anything in history can be narrowed

down to cause and effect. This method allows for a story to play out and allows those researching

history to see a timeline and why something may have happened in favor of something else. This

is how to interpret the significance of the period of imperialism. What was the cause of

imperialism not just in the United States but across the globe? What effect did it have in the short

and long run? And lastly, was imperialism the cause of another historical event?

Imperialism can best be described as a desire and necessity amongst various nations to go

to whatever means necessary to help their nation prosper. This could be done in several ways.

One popular concept was that of colonization in which prospering nations would incorporate

lesser nations into their sphere. In turn, this allowed for accumulation of new goods, services,

and materials that could assist in bettering the nation further. This was the case for certain

nations that were in continuous development to be the most powerful such as France, Great

Britain, the U.S., Russia, and the German states which were in the process of unification. The

process of bettering a nation also often included the nations security. This particular case

resulted in an arms and naval race between Great Britain, holding the strongest naval fleet

throughout the world, and the German states who were still in the process of developing into a

strong nation.

What effects did imperialism have in the short run? Imperialism brought about a sense of

accomplishment amongst several nations. Celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of

nations became a popularity. Worlds Fairs began to sprout. One World Fair celebrated the 400th

anniversary of Colombuss voyages in America.

But the most important of these regressive movements

in the Plaisance is the ethnical, the dropping back through
the various races which represent stages of mans culture.
Here one can live rearwards in time and in human
development; he can follow the lapse of the soul down,
down through every phase of humanity
(Snider, Worlds Fair Studies).

The concept of nation building and achievements did not however ring as good for all people.

Colonization of other nations was frowned upon by some and seen as morally unjust. One

dissenter wrote, In the process of imposing his political dominion over the African, the white

man has carved broad and bloody avenues from one end of Africa to the other. The African has

resisted, and persisted. (Morel, The Black Mans Burden). Overall, imperialism brought about a

competitive nature amongst the various nations and a sense of necessity towards nationalism and

expanding ones nation for the better of society.

Imperialism can also be seen as the cause of other major events and things. The

imperialistic time frame brought about a variety of new inventions intended to increase

production. Mechanized rubber became a popular invention that was used not only for

agricultural use but aided the invention of the car. It can also be seen that imperialism was a

leading cause in World War I. Major nations repeatedly were at war with each other and

competed in colonization, arms and naval races and other factors. Such a competitive nature

amongst nations eventually sparked a fire that would lead to a world war.

In conclusion, imperialism played a major role in world history of the early twentieth

century. It led to expanding nations and a competitive streak amongst them as the most powerful

nations. This in turn led to an arms and naval race and growing hostilities. Though not all people
agreed with imperialism it remained to be an important aspect of in the overall development

heading into the twentieth century.