Imperialism

Colonial expansion adopted by Europe´s powers and,

later, Japan and the United States, during the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The expansion took place from

the Franco- Prussian War to World War I (1870-1914).

Latin America and seaports of Africa were some of the first areas to be colonized by Europe. Although the

African geography, climate and deseases delayed most

colonization.

Reasons:

Newly industralized nations such as the United States and the European nations needed to branch out their

markets to non-industralized nations.

They were looking for access to some natural

resources. Such as rubber, petroleum and palm oil for

machinery.

Because of economic superiority, Europe felt they had the right take

over the nations that were weaker than them to further their power.

One of the major players:

“ Monopoly, oligarchy, the striving for domination and not freedom, the explitation of an increasing number of small or weak nations by a handful of the richest or

most powerful nations- all these have given birth to

those distinctive characteristics of imperialsim which compel us to define it

as parastic or decaying capitalism”.