Overall Impacts Of Imperialism
Imperialism is the complete control by one country of political, economical, or cultural life of another country or region. During the age of imperialism a global economy arose. It was mostly controlled by nations in the west like the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. The capitalists brought machine made goods, technology, and investment capital. In return the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America provided the homegrown goods, natural resources, and cheap labor.
The western capitalists developed plantations and mines, but then needed the locals to put in the labor to work them. A new money and economy system replaced the old barter system, so to cover the expenses of governing the colonies, the capitalists gave locals heavy taxes to pay. They no longer traded or bartered other goods to get what they needed. The new way of having to earn money split up families as they had to leave for places that were farther away to make money by working.
People were beginning to suffer in the age of Imperialism because not everything benefited them. The people had to become dependent on the industrial powers, not able to make money unless the capitalists bought their raw products in exchange for the man made goods that had been brought instead of using what they had locally grown. To take care of themselves the people had to rely on the new western products, technology and other things. Crops or products were not made for local consumption but for exporting, which caused starvation to occur in lands that before, could feed themselves.
Colonial rule brought some benefits, though not many. New technology was produced as well as new ways of communication and transportation. Local leaders and business people benefited from the new economic system, developing industry and promoting the growth of their farms or other places of work. As the west conquered more countries they tried to convince the people to accept modern ways, but what they really meant was they wanted them to embrace the western ways of technology, government, and culture. During the age of Imperialism, “modernization” and “westernization” was seen as the same. Western culture was spread by missionaries who built schools and hospitals, teaching the children basic literacy and training the young men for colonial government jobs. Western medicine brought them many benefits with vaccines and modern hygiene, but at the same time it broke down the foundation of healers and herbalists who had information on useful plants.
Imperialism spread Christian faith across the globe, in some areas they had better luck changing the religion. In other regions not so much, though the religion was adapted to the local’s traditions. In other places the conversion did not come or did not come easily because some religions already existed, firmly rooted into their traditions. Some locals refused to disrespect certain old traditions and still held onto them while still embracing the western way. In the end many non-western cultures created unique ways of blending old and new tradition, but always remained close to their original customs. Western culture changed as well, the Columbian Exchange began to pick up speed. Western capitalists took products from the regions they took control of. Ideas from other cultures were taken by painters and sculptors, or clothing makers. The ideas were used to create new product styles of fashion or other things.
The western capitalists developed plantations and mines, but then needed the locals to put in the labor to work them. A new money and economy system replaced the old barter system, so to cover the expenses of governing the colonies, the capitalists gave locals heavy taxes to pay. They no longer traded or bartered other goods to get what they needed. The new way of having to earn money split up families as they had to leave for places that were farther away to make money by working.
People were beginning to suffer in the age of Imperialism because not everything benefited them. The people had to become dependent on the industrial powers, not able to make money unless the capitalists bought their raw products in exchange for the man made goods that had been brought instead of using what they had locally grown. To take care of themselves the people had to rely on the new western products, technology and other things. Crops or products were not made for local consumption but for exporting, which caused starvation to occur in lands that before, could feed themselves.
Colonial rule brought some benefits, though not many. New technology was produced as well as new ways of communication and transportation. Local leaders and business people benefited from the new economic system, developing industry and promoting the growth of their farms or other places of work. As the west conquered more countries they tried to convince the people to accept modern ways, but what they really meant was they wanted them to embrace the western ways of technology, government, and culture. During the age of Imperialism, “modernization” and “westernization” was seen as the same. Western culture was spread by missionaries who built schools and hospitals, teaching the children basic literacy and training the young men for colonial government jobs. Western medicine brought them many benefits with vaccines and modern hygiene, but at the same time it broke down the foundation of healers and herbalists who had information on useful plants.
Imperialism spread Christian faith across the globe, in some areas they had better luck changing the religion. In other regions not so much, though the religion was adapted to the local’s traditions. In other places the conversion did not come or did not come easily because some religions already existed, firmly rooted into their traditions. Some locals refused to disrespect certain old traditions and still held onto them while still embracing the western way. In the end many non-western cultures created unique ways of blending old and new tradition, but always remained close to their original customs. Western culture changed as well, the Columbian Exchange began to pick up speed. Western capitalists took products from the regions they took control of. Ideas from other cultures were taken by painters and sculptors, or clothing makers. The ideas were used to create new product styles of fashion or other things.