Generally, Imperialism occurs in a situation where a particular nation takes over a nation it views as weaker and in the process, it dominates its political, economic or cultural life. The term imperialism can also refer to unequal human or territorial relationship and in most cases; it takes the form of an empire. Generally, it bases on superiority and dominance practices and ideas (Hoskins 87). In other cases, it involves authoritarian extension and the control of a particular state or nation. Imperialism is regarded as a negative light and an aspect, which exploits the native people in the given nation for the purposes of enriching itself.
Relationship between imperialism and World War
Imperialism was the period during the beginning of 1700 at a time when the relatively developed nations and states were beginning to take over areas, which less developed, and in the process, they would colonize them for the purposes of expanding their own power. Generally, there are two common types of imperialism exist or once existed across the world (Moor 47).The two common types of imperialism are colonialism and irredentism or the revanchism. In this case, colonialism type of imperialism is the type of imperialism that once existed during the First World War (Hoskins, 98). Prior to the First World War, France and Britain were on an economic battlefront with both competing for Africa. Alternatively, Germany arrived in the battlefront for African resources later on.
Due to the heightening conflict before the First World War, the Britain nation decided to form alliances, which would then signal a temporary end to the matters pertaining economics. In this case, Britain formed an alliance with Russia and another one with France. Eventually, the Triple Entente was formed between Russia, the French and the British. Earlier on, Russia and France had already formed an alliance, while the British had an alliance in place with the France in the year 1904. In 1914, the three countries strengthened the Triple Entente in a mission to ensure that they have enough Central powers to invade different nations during the First World War (Hoskins 95). Alternatively, the Pre-fascist Germany had decided to work their way towards African colonization with a treaty, which was secret. In this case, the treaty involved the Ottoman Empire. From this context, it is evident that colonialism as a form of imperialism played a vital role in the First World War. However, its roles were never direct.
The World War 1
The First World War started in Central Europe in July 1914. Generally, the war was a result of issues ranging from conflicts and hostility that existed between some of the great European powers hence leading to the war (Tony Ballantyne 76). Some of the issues that played key roles during the conflicts include Imperialism, Militarism, alliances and nationalism. The major factor that started the crisis was the long and difficult diplomatic series clashes between some of the Great Powers across Europe. Some of the great powers in this sense included, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary. Alternatively, some of the colonial issues brought high tensions. The diplomatic clashes in this sense can be traced to various changes in power balance across Europe since the year 1867. Tensions that were present in the territory of Balkans were the immediate cause of the First World War. During this period, Austria and Hungary competed with nations such as Russia and Serbia for territory and regional influence. Eventually, they manage to pull other nations in the conflict as well through their treaties and alliances.
The effects of imperialism for Africa, Asia and the Middle East
Most European countries such as the German, the French and the British put a lot of time and effort in an effort to colonize the Middle East, Asia and the precious African land. At a time when the industrial Revolution was booming, these European countries found that Africa and some of the countries in the middles east had various crucial raw materials. For the Africans, this was the beginning of the scramble for Africa. As time went by, the competition grew and became more intense (Ali 56). During this time, most of the African countries were pierced by what was known as the penetrating European Imperialism bullets. Eventually, these European Imperialism bullets left various impacts among the Africans, the Asians and the Arabs and their cultures to the present day.
Some of the effects of the African, Middle East and Asian imperialism include political and economic impacts in most of the nations in these continents (Tony Ballantyne 50). Most of the political impacts that imperialism left in these nations were both negative and positive. Most of the European nations left systems of administration, which were efficient hence giving most of these countries political systems, which were well structured. Economically, imperialism brought industrial technology, which helped, in developing the African, Asian and the Middle East nations. This aspect was seen as a positive aspect of imperialism.
- Ali, Taisier M. A, and Robert O. Matthews. Civil Wars in Africa: Roots and Resolution. Montreal [Que.: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1999. Internet resource.
- Hoskins, Halford L. European Imperialism in Africa. New York: Russell & Russell, 1967. Print.
- Moor, Jaap , and H L. Wesseling. Imperialism and War: Essays on Colonial Wars in Asia and Africa. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1989. Print.
- Tony Ballantyne, and Antoinette Burton, “Global Empires, Transnational Connections”
