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Reasons For European Imperialism

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The main motives behind European imperialism were to gain money and to take over and spread their ways. The different areas that were imperialised in such as Africa and Asia, they had different main motives. African nations were taken over with a more nationalist standpoint, to spread their ideas and “better” the nation. Although this seemed to be their main goal, they also took over mines and land for money from that. In Asia, the Europeans main goal seemed to be for more on the economic standpoint. Instead of their treaties including policies about land, they aimed for access to ports for trading. Even though the main focus was nationalism in Africa and on economic Asia, both of these standpoints work hand-in-hand with each other. As nationalists, …show more content…
The Europeans wanted to get a piece of this power, and they traded with them but the Asians were very unwilling. Asian countries restricted trade but were threatened to and/or forced to by the Europeans. This got to the point where the Chinese did not see the Europeans as equal anymore and started referring to Great Britain’s ships as “barbarian ships” when they would sell them opium. China would scold Great Britain for selling opium to their country calling them hypocritical because they were selling them a substance that “is very strictly forbidden [in their country]; that is because the harm caused by opium is clearly understood” (Document 2). This lead into a war that ended in the defeat of China. They were forced to sign an unequal treaty that opened up five trading ports. With China’s power going in a complete decline, the Europeans took advantage of this situation and they all rushed to China and claimed territories and carved their spheres of influence there. To refrain following in the footsteps of the Chinese, Japan cut off all trading, but this did not work out. America threatened Japan, and said to them that “several countries have applied for trade, but you have opposed them on account of a national law. If you are to still disagree we would then take up arms” (Document 1). They made them sign many unequal treaties that allowed the westerners access to many of their ports for trading purposes. Although trading was the most prominent reason for european imperialism, it is not the only

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