Michael Sylvia
World Civ DBQ
Mrs. Garno
1/30/13

Europe was a colonizing machine throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. After Europe’s leap to industrialization and growth in population, the abundance of food was drastically decreasing. This inspired Europe to begin an imperialistic sparked Europe’s approach. Nonetheless, Europe’s growing empire was striking fear on to surrounded non western countries. Europe’s motivation for colonizing all over the world was sparked by three main topics: military factors, political factors and economic factors.

Military was an enormous factor in imperialism. Leaders and countries often felt that the only way to remain safe and secure was to create naval bases around the globe. Naval bases were a “win-win” situation because the bases could also be used as merchant bases and trading ports. This meant Europe was able to increase both money and prestige due to the fact that their products were now available literally worldwide. Naval/merchant bases weren’t the only incentive to conquer; prestige and fear were sought after also. Both prestige and fear gave Europe a “leg-up” on its opponents due to basic human nature. Europe’s efforts to create fear by building naval bases and expanding their empire made Europe’s opponents feel weak and full of anxiety. This is very evident in Document 4, “Now, the French come, with their powerful weapons of war, to cause dissension among us. We are weak against them; our commanders and soldiers have been vanquished…” Virtually saying the Vietnamese state had no chance against Europe’s strong, stable, untied military.

Closely relating to military factors, Europe also had political motives. For the whole country of Europe was not an option. Failure is frowned upon and is looked on as unprofessional and weak. This gave Europe the extra push needed to continue with their imperialistic ways. Along with fear of showing weakness, Europe wanted to be the “top dog.” For Europe, having another country pass them in power or land would be the end of the world. In Document 5, the motive for more land is shown, “The more Germans go out upon the waters, whether it be in races or regattas, whether it be in journeys across the ocean, or in the service of the battle flag, so much the better it will be for us.” Ultimately clarifying the hunt for more land must not stop.

Economic factors also played a part in the desire to conquer. The well-known expression “money is power” was taken to a whole new level by Europe. Although Europe held some natural resources, other countries such as the Untied States of America and Africa held much more natural resources that were in demand. This kept the aspiration to conquer new land alive. This objective is distinct in Document 2, “American factories are making more than the American people can use; American soil is producing more than they can consume…We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing points for American products.” Furthermore, conquering new countries gave Europe the advantage to control the countries’ economic fate. Meaning, Europe could control taxes and product prices. Europe also was able to acquire free labor by enslaving the countries’ people. Each of the previous three statements positively benefited Europe’s economy greatly.

Europe’s motivation to colonize globally coexisted because of political factors, economic motives and military incentives. In essence, Europe’s imperialistic attitude was brought on by the hunt for control, money and greed. While imperialism profited Europe, it negatively impacted the rest of the world substantially. Europe’s invasive and violent colonization create multiple wars eventually leading up to one of the world’s most devastating campaigns, World War I. Europe’s strategies, motives and unity made crowned Europe a colonizing machine.