American overseas expansion was particularly predominant between 1898 and 1914. The Industrial Revolution that was occurring in the United States prompted enthusiasm in imperialism. During this period, imperialism was defined as, “the establishment of colonies and the building of empires.” In 1890s, the United States began to experience pressure due to competition in Canada and Argentina (Imperialism). The United States required a great amount of raw materials in to facilitate production in factories. Increased acceptance of imperialism echoes the capitalist nature of the international community.
SS Gateway Day 4 The age of Imperialism made way for (and was even influenced by) some of the most prevalent inventions, ideas, and innovations in todays world. Imperialism as defined by historians is said to be “a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.” Although this definition is held true to many examples of Imperialism, the actual causes of imperialism can be greater accredited to what is known is the Industrial Revolution. Without the Industrial Revolution and the ideas flowing into the world at the time; Imperialism may have been nothing but a word. The Industrial Revolution was essentially a mechanical and emotional means of progress for the world. The ability to grow coupled with the will to grow both directly influenced imperialism.
Imperialism began in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s affecting many countries, for example, China, India, Africa, and South America were all affected by imperialism. Although the New Imperialism resulted from industrialized nations seeking control of foreign territories, the conditions that motivated and fueled the great expansion for industrialized nations were mostly based on economic motives. As Europe gained significant power strongly centered nation states emerged. Several factors contributed to the Europeans conquest of Africa. One staggering advantage was Europeans technological superiority.
Imperialism is defined as the creation and maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination. (1) With the freeing up of excess labor for many different functions and the Industrial Revolution in full swing, this saw the need for more resources and materials for production of unique items and the need for much larger amounts of resources. This led to nations wanting to expand their rule to gain access to resources. I personally believe that Colonialism led to Imperialism. European nations began by establishing colonies in foreign areas to gain access to new resources that could not be easily accessed in Europe.
But during his time, Marx witnessed the industrial Revolution bringing about conflicts between the capitalists and the proletariat, creating two classes in society – the rich and the poor. Marx sees the world as a class struggle – a struggle between the oppressor and the oppressed or a struggle between the bourgeoisie ( or the capitalists ) and the proletariat ( or the workers ). In The German Ideology Marx gives an account of European history to backup his ideas. He traces ownership of properties during different periods of time: when tribes hunted, fished for food, reared animals and kept slaves; tribes united and owned communal land and kept slaves; and during the middle ages, estate properties owned by the ruling classes with the peasants or serfs, replacing slaves as the other conflicting party. He describes how feudalism developed and how conflicts between the productive
In this new capitalist period, the more simplified means of production as seen in feudalism, had developed into a “complex industrial state” as stated in Haralambos and Holborn (2008). Capitalism brought a new way to sustain humanity; industrial production. Marxism, as a sociological theory, focuses on the economics of Britain. Lee and Newby (1983) say that to “organize the production of its subsistence” is the most basic human instinct. The economy provides us with our means of survival and defines our society.
The Inevitability of Negative Consequences of the Industrial Revolution The perception of the industrial revolution as a key factor in changing the way of life is a fair statement. It is termed a “revolution” because the changes it produced were great and sudden. This revolution first appeared in Britain in the 1700s, fostering attitudes toward capitalism and modern industry everywhere. New traditions replaced old traditions, machinery replaced people, and people moved to urban cities from rural areas; simply, the way of life had been changed forever. The industrial revolution introduced mass production and greater markets.
Europe became the dominant power in the world, with other countries feeding on its increasing status. When the slave trade began, capitalism moved to its highest point, imperialism. Imperialism is the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies. This resulted in third world countries because they were robbed of their resources and raw materials and could not grow. Slave exploitation caused America to become the central power in economic, military, and political strength, instead of Europe.
Although there are many key elements of the rapid industrialization during the 19th century that aided in producing the outcomes (Urbanization, Social Classes/Living Conditions, Inventions), the most significant features that gave life to industrial and social progression were the introduction of mechanization, and the improvements made to transportation during the era of the Industrial Revolution. Mechanization: The first and one of the most important positive aspects of the Industrial Revolution was the mechanization of most labor methods, which allowed for a higher rate of production for and contributed greatly to the economic expansion and development of Western societies. The first example of mechanical introduction during the early years of the Industrial Revolution was that of the cotton textile industry. Prior to the inventions of Elias Howe (sewing machine) and
Marx's analysis of history is based on his distinction between the means of production, literally those things, like land and natural resources, and technology, that are necessary for the production of material goods, and the social relations of production, in other words, the social relationships people enter into as they acquire and use the means of production. Together these comprise the mode of production; Marx observed that within any given society the mode of production changes, and that European societies had progressed from a feudal mode of production to a capitalist mode of production. ………. The capitalist mode of production is capable of tremendous growth because the capitalist can, and has an incentive to, reinvest profits in new technologies. Marx considered the capitalist class to be the most revolutionary in history, because it constantly revolutionized the means of production.