Imperialism

There were many reasons:

• Extensive lands that could be used for farming and settlement
• Large amounts of raw materials (metals, gems, ivory, etc)
• Help spread Christianity/modern European ways of life
• Slave trade (in the very early days)
• competition with other Colonial Empires.

Perhaps its also worthwhile considering the poem "The White Mans Burden" by Rudyard Kipling when answering this question.

The poem (possibly sarcastically), espoused some of the "official" motivations behind the behaviour of the British Empire of his era.

Essentially the theme is that more developed nations have a moral obligation to take control of less developed nations and show them how to created a "civilised" society.

While this motive is based on bias and arrogance, its intention is positive.

The often-told story is that European imperialism towards Africa was caused by a thirst to exploit Africa's riches. And that is lasted for centuries, while in truth it only lasted some 80 years, from around 1880 until 1960.

Strangely enough, in reality the cause was slavery. Notby the white people, who by then (around 1880/90) already had long abandoned it, but the slavery of Africans by Africans. It was the European missionaries who whipped up public support to convince their often very reluctant Governments to take action against African rulers who refused to abolish slavery in their lands.

The proclaimed 'riches' could already be had by setting up trading posts along Africa's coast and by informing the local rulers that the European traders were prepared to pay good money (well, sort of...) for whatever they had on offer. And that had already been happening since the early 16th century.

Truth be told, once the forced takeovers started - and by the way, the Europeans' first action indeed was abolishing slavery - Britain realized that by colonizing all of east Africa they could control and safeguard the passage to India and other Far East posessions. France (always keen on their national 'glory') realized that they could enhance this 'glory' by having a colonial Empire. And the same feelings of national prestige caused a few other countries to claim parts of Africa. And of course, instead of buying goods from local rulers the Europeans could now produce and export them through their own companies.

The form of imperialism was much the same in sub-Sahara Africa. There were very few European volunteers for a career in African government, if only because many of them died of tropical diseases within months of arrival. So the usual form was: a limited number of European administrators only in key Government posts; a local tribe was selected and trained that showed aptitude for western-style administration; and then all lower Government post were filled by local people under a usually white Director.

In north Africa, in countries like Morocco and Egypt, a well-organized form of local rule and administration was already in place. Here, colonization took place by leaving the local rulers and administrators on their posts, but making treaties with these countries in which a European country effectively took over the the control of the army, the finances and of foreign policy.

Imperialism had negative affects wherever it existed. The first imperialists of South America was the colonial power of Spain. Much like Great Britain was the "father" of the 13 American colonies who eventually left the British Empire, so too the colonists of South American wanted "freedom" as well from their "father" the Spanish Empire.

The nations of Central & South America were late comers to independence and the heads on leadership of of the US founding fathers, built a powerful new "imperialist" as far as the people of South America were concerned.. that was the United States of America.

While France, Britain & Spain still retained some colonies in the Caribbean, central america and in South America ( not forgetting the Portuguese ) the United States had become a viable power in the Western Hemisphere. In fact it became the dominating power.

The USA's growth and other economic concerns affected the " former Spanish colonists " in a negative way. The first problem was the US's war with Mexico. The capital city of Mexico was invaded by US forces and as part of the peace treaty, Mexico had to give up much of its holdings in what became the USA's South West. Also California was ceded to the USA.

The fact that the Mexican territory of Texas shook off its Mexican government and became the US State of Texas left a bad taste in the mouth of Mexicans.

In the 1900's the USA continued the quest that had been originated by a French corporation, that was the project to build a canal joining the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. The construction of such a canal would be a boost for the American economy and help all nations cut shipping travel time immensely.

Of course the deal now was in the hands of America. One of the best locations for constructing a canal, and it would be a difficult engineering project, was where Panama is today. But, and a large but, was that this area was part of Colombia. To make a long story short, rebels in Colombia wanted to make a new nation called Panama.

With the "help" of the US Government, a deal was struck with the rebels and the nation of Panama was given birth.

The canal construction was part of the "help" deal. The US, with many problems from malaria, to sophisticated lochs and canals finished the project by 1914. The deal was that the USA would control the canal.

The Monroe Doctrine

Late in 1823, long before the war with Mexico, the US President, James Monroe issued a foreign policy statement to the world.

Simply put, it was a doctrine that governed US and South American affairs vis a vie the rest of the World.

In his annual message to Congress, Monroe stated that the United States had hegemony over affairs in the Western Hemishere.

It basically warned the powers of Europe the the Western Hemishere had a shere of interest of the United States.

In one way of interpreting this doctrine, it laid a coat of protectio over the new and struggling new nations of South America.

It meant the the US would not tolerate further colonization of European puppet regimes in the Western Hemisphere.

Some South Americans believed that this doctrine was an open invitation made by the USA to "handle" international affairs in South America.

But this doctrine together with the Mexican War, The Spanish American War and the Panama Canal issue and many South Americans now saw the USA as the new imperilaist power in the Western Hemishere.

The affects were long term and relations with many nations from Mexico and southward were damaged.

This was sound & bold policy for a new nation like the United States. Whatever its faults, it actually helped the former Spanish and Portugese colonies from interference from Europe. With the exception of Mexico.

Colonialism as practiced through the 19th century had three major impacts on African societies:

• It disrupted the traditional tribal cultures and religions and brought in European Christianity.
• It replaced the tribal boundaries with artificial areas of control.
• It subjugated the African majority populations to rule by white Europeans.

The introduction of Christianity led to suppression of many ancient practices, although some survived and adapted. Some had already been transplanted to the Caribbean islands by African slaves taken there.

Tribes often found themselves competing for the resources being produced by the colonial industries. In some cases, tribes still warred among each other as before colonialism.

An aristocratic class of European managers and directors sprang up to operate the colonies. As had occurred with the American Indians, many African tribes lost their lands, were mistreated, or became second-class citizens in a segregated society. It was not until the late 20th century that black Africans regained some political control over their native lands. The transition to self-rule has been marked in many cases by dictatorships, armed factions, wars, and public corruption.