What are six motives for imperialism and what are some examples of them?

Answer 1

Motives of imperialism revolve around achieving economic and military power over rival imperialistic nations and also to take advantage of weaker and less developed nations.

Here are some definitive answers regarding the motives of imperialism:

1. For many years the economic systems of European powers were classified as mercantilism. This economic policy requires, to a large degree, a closed market imposed on overseas processions to obtain cheap Natural Resources and a captive population to buy products from the "home nation";

2. In the Roman example, the mercantilism economic system did not exist. The motives of ancient Rome were to, by conquest gain land and precious metals such as gold;

3. France and Vietnam. The leader who emerged after the revolution of 1848 was Napoleon III. As a "dictator in disguise" his first duty was to stay in power. Staking out new territorial claims in as example Mexico and Vietnam appealed to French nationalism. The Mexican adventure proved to be a folly, Vietnam not the case until the 1950's. It also was a source of wealth and the need to keep up with the imperialism of Great Britain. In this case, political power & wealth were at stake;

4. The Netherlands. The motive here was to "get something". The Dutch lost out to Great Britain in the American colonial quest for power. The Dutch however were a resourceful nation, although not as powerful as France, Spain and Great Britain. The area of Indonesia was open ground and they took advantage of the undeveloped area to their benefit;

5. Spain. The Spanish were first out of the gates in the rush colonize the New World. The Aztec and Inca empires were not a match for Spain's firepower. Spain also had the early advantage of obtaining gold & silver without having to mine for it. The Native American civilizations shared the world's love of precious metals. Spain was able to build an armada to battle the British, but lost out to bad weather and British naval skills; and

6. Germany. Here, as mentioned in another answer about examples of imperialism, the motive was not "wealth". Austria was another piece of the plan by Hitler to gain land and power. Hitler's motive was to first control Europe with the least amount of force. He did it with the land of his birth.

As an aside, it's worth mentioning that imperialist nations do not risk war, spend allot of money, deal with possible revolts of native peoples, to spread religion. That can be done later.

Answer 2

white mans burden, outlets for population, and need for new markets. In addition, you have self sufficiency, investing surplus capital, and nationalism. Militarism and missionaries/ambassadors round out the reasons.

Answer 3

materials power territorial expansion new market (tradng with indigenous people) military bases economic growth