Report on Perspectives on Imperialism

ATL’s – Critical thinking skills

Unit Title: Why do nations built empire and form supra –

national alliances and organizations?

Statement of Inquiry: Unequal inter-state relationships, empires,

are created for economic and ideological reasons. Nations
develop systems of independence to protect their interests.

Key concept: Systems

Related concept: Cooperation

Global context: Identities and relationships

Research Question:

What different perspectives significant personalities of 19th

century had on Imperialism?

Sub Questions:

What might native people think about opinions on Imperialism?

Who supports and who does not support Imperialism?

Report by- Disha Mahajan, MYP-4

Submitted to- Mr. Srijal Gupta

Index:

1. What is Imperialism?

2. Who were some of the famous personalities of 19th century who had a
perspective about imperialism?

3. Who supported Imperialism?

4. Who did not supported Imperialism?

5. What arguments they put forward?

In favor of Imperialism

In favor of Imperialism:

6. How might native people in the colonies view their opinions?

7. Conclusion.
What is Imperialism?

Imperialism is a policy of expanding and to make nation powerful. It is an

ideology of expanding nation’s rule overseas. Powerful and rich countries gain
political and economical control over weak countries through colonization and
by military force.

For Example, in nineteenth century Britain was one of the most powerful
countries who ruled many other countries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperialism

Who were some of the significant personalities of 19th century who had a
perspective on Imperialism?

Cecil Rhodes: He was 7th prime minister of Cape colony. He

was a British and supported imperialism. His perspective on
Imperialism was that the more the world comes under us, it,
will be better for them. His mission was to color whole Africa red under the
British Colonization.

Image Source: https://wikipedia.org

J.A. Hobson: He had a perspective that imperialism is good for

business to certain people, classes and trades but not for all
people. Wars are costly and it harms many people.

Image Source: https://www.hetwebsite.net/het/profiles/hobson.htm

Edward Wakefield: He was a British politician. Wakefield wanted

a balanced society which includes people from all the classes. He
supports imperialism due to population growth.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wakefield_(New_Zealand_politician)

Vladimir Lenin: He was a Russian Revolutionary. He believed that

one day imperialism will turn into a war. Empires will fight to
invade and that time the world war will take place, which will be
imperial war.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin

Sir Thomas Raffles: He worked for East India Company. He
supported imperialism and wanted to expand his nation.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford_Raffles

J.A Hobson and Vladimir Lenin always believed imperialism is caused by

capitalists as they always to expand their business and markets to earn more
profit. So, they needed cheap labour and raw materials in cheap rates from other
countries. These were some of the famous personalities and their perspective
about imperialism.

Who supported Imperialism?

There were two types of people in nineteenth century. One who supports
imperialism and another who did not supported imperialism. The people who
supported imperialism include many famous personalities like Cecil Rhodes and
Sir Thomas Raffles. America always referred imperialism; they agreed to have
had a policy of imperialism to expand their markets. Empires like Britain, Russia,
France and Germany supported Imperialism.

Who did not supported Imperialism?

Anti- Imperialists does not support Imperialism. They are against colonizing
another country. Empires accept policy of imperialism to expand trade and their
power. They try to control countries politically and economically. Many people
are against this policy. J.A. Hobson believed that imperialism is good for a
certain class of people. Vladimir Lenin was one of the significant personalities
who did not supported imperialism. Soviet Union represented itself as an enemy
of imperialism.

What arguments they put forward?

In favor of Imperialism: United States had three major arguments about
Imperialism; first it was a way to raise the economy. Second that country’s
military was beneficial as it was increasing the power of army. Third argument
was that they are helping other countries to civilize.

Edward Wakefield argued that population is rising rapidly so we need to

colonize countries. He wanted a balanced society in which all kind of people can
stay.

Against Imperialism:

J.A. Hobson
Hobson argued that:
' ... the new imperialism has been bad business for the nation, but has been good business
for certain classes and certain trades ... armaments, costly wars that caused injury to the
nation, have served well the present business interests of certain industries and
professions.'

Vladimir Lenin argued that whole world will fight to expand their nations. It will
be a world war which will be seen as imperial war.

These were some of the arguments about Imperialism.

How might native people in the colonies view their opinions?

Native people from 19th century might have different perspectives about
Imperialism. Native people can view these opinions of significant personalities in
two ways; positive and negative. Either they will support their opinion or does
not support it.

People’s point of view depends on the situation in which they are; if the native
people are from the colony which is conquered and they are having troubles, so
they won’t support imperialism and the personalities who support it.
If people are getting benefits and they are happy with imperialism so they will
support the opinions and arguments of the personalities who support
Imperialism.

Conclusion:

Empires wanted to expand their nations to become more wealthy, powerful and
strong. There were many significant personalities who presented their arguments
in front of everyone in 19th century about imperialism. Many of them supported
imperialism and many does not supported it. Everyone had a perspective about
imperialism. For some people it was beneficial and for some it was harmful.

Citation:
"What were the arguments for and against imperialism? " eNotes Editorial, 3 Nov. 2012,
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-were-cultural-political-social-arguments-371214. Accessed
17 Sep. 2019.

IB MYP 4 & 5 History.pdf. “IB MYP 4 & 5 History.Pdf.” Google Docs, 2019,

drive.google.com/file/d/1emjC0_W7YsgjAhC112eB2hE1Mv-feGrI/view. Accessed 17 Sept. 2019.

Wikipedia Contributors. “American Imperialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Aug. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_imperialism.

---. “Anti-Imperialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-imperialism.

Report By- Disha Mahajan, MYP- 4