The Role of Industrialization and Nationalism in European Imperialism - Essay Example

?The Role of Industrialization and Nationalism in European Imperialism The modern concept of nationalism appears to be irreconcilable with the concept of imperialism. The former is all about building a nation whereas the latter is all about the dismantling of nations and integrating them into one empire. Essentially, however, the core concept of nationalism played a major role in the imperial ambitions and conquests of European colonial powers such as Britain and France. Together with industrialization, it drove imperialism to new heights, reinforcing each other throughout the process. In the case of the experiences of the European imperialists during the 18th and 19th centuries, it is easy to understand how industrialization became the economic rationale while nationalism became political basis for the feverish expansion and colonization of countries in Asia and Africa. Industrialization Imperialism's emergence was driven by necessity not unlike the objective of colonization, which, for its part, was driven by the need for additional lands to settle. With industrialization European powers such as Britain had to find new lands to exploit in order to enrich themselves. European countries have experienced rapid economic development and the mechanization of production, which greatly increased production capacity. The ensuing developments typified the increase in sophistication of the economic system that required the participation of dominated dominions. On one hand, there was the huge demand for resources and raw materials that would feed its industries and provide livelihood for its workers. New materials and commodities were in great demand as well such as tea, coffee and tobacco. The colonized countries in Asia and Africa have abundant resources that satisfied the British industrial machine. On the other hand, the sheer volume of commodities being produced found their convenient markets in the colonized nations, which served as outlets for the value expropriated from British workers (Daunton 12). This is also highlighted in the emergence of global capitalism that result as a consequence of the increased mobility of people and goods in tandem with the productive capacity of industrialization. An important consequence of these developments was how economic activity and competition among rival countries have intensified. Merchants have effectively convinced their governments that failing to get a share of the world markets and resources would result in severe economic disadvantage. This point now brings about the issue of nationalism. With the increase in rivalry among nations, overseas dominions became part of the game of prestige, honor and national pride besides the all-important economic argument. Nationalism Many academics believe that nationalism is an inseparable motivation in imperialism. The idea is that conquering people and annexing foreign lands became part of many Europeans’ drive to win honor for their respective countries especially amidst the close rivalry and competition between their countries. At some point of the Industrial Revolution, imperialists have displayed a diminished interest in acquiring new colonies with the fact that they already are costly to govern. But in the latter part of the nineteenth century, there is a resurgence of imperialist activities, which came to be known as the new imperialism. European powers pressed on with the acquisition of new territories because it brings glory and high stature. This happened even when a colony proved to have no resources and raw materials or has poor potential of becoming a market for goods. This period saw how imperialists used their dominions in their attempt to outdo their rivals. Perry, for example, cited the case of Germany, Italy and France: Nationalists in newly unified Germany and Italy demanded colonies as recognition of their countries’ Great Power status. Convinced that Britain’s standing depended on colonies and naval power, they wanted their nations as well to “have a place in the sun… France also turned its attention overseas, hoping to recoup some prestige and to add to its manpower and wealth for future European struggles” (384). It is easy, hence, to understand how Europe has colonized and partitioned Africa amongst themselves for many years. At first, the African colonies were a veritable mine of riches, with its abundant resources. Later on, however, when the resources are exhausted or the cost of maintaining the African colonies became too taxing, the imperialists still held on to their colonies. The ideological argument, which has previously took a supporting role to the economic rationale of imperialism, has increased in significance and supplanted the economic argument of imperialism as the primary factor. The reason is simple: if a country has numerous overseas imperial dominion during the second half of the nineteenth century, its standing, including those of its citizens, are elevated. Other Factors Industrialization and nationalism however are not the only factors responsible for the persistence of imperialism in the nineteenth century. There is the case of the advances naval technology that radically changed the relationship of countries and their capacity to dominate other peoples. The steam ships no longer left merchants at the mercy of the trade winds. Ships can reach foreign lands faster expediting trade and contact, paving the way for more opportunity of imperialism. Then, there was also the construction of the Suez Canal. It linked the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, dramatically cutting the travel time between the Indian Ocean and Europe to several weeks (Lockard 590). There are a host of other factors and they collectively made it possible for strong nations to dominate weaker states. Conclusion Unarguably, industrialization has been the driving force of European imperialism. With the region’s rapid economic development, expansion was inevitable. The industries seek both resources and the market for its products. And so smaller and less advanced countries were conquered and exploited. Meanwhile, nationalism has always been an integral component of imperialism. Each imperialist expedition overseas was always undertaken in the name of gold and country. Indeed, by the end of the nineteenth century, nationalism became even more important with the increased rivalries among European countries. It fueled the drive for imperialism even when it is no longer economically viable because it provides value and prestige to the motherland. There are many other factors why European imperialism came to be. They demonstrate the multidimensional character of imperialism and underscore why it has persisted for several years across Asia and Africa. References Daunton, Martin. State and market in Victorian Britain: war, welfare and capitalism. Boydell Press, 2008. Print. Lockard, Craig. Lockard's Societies, Networks, and Transitions Since 1450: A Global History. New York: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print. Perry, Marvin.Western Civilization: A Brief History : From the 1400s, Volume 2. New York: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. Read More