Causes of Imperialism

Nationalism & Social Darwinism

A spirit of nationalism was one cause of the new imperialism. Nationalism promotes the idea of national superiority; imperialists felt that they had the right to take control of countries they viewed as weaker. Social Darwinism also encouraged imperialism. This idea applied darwin's theory of survival of the fittest to competition to nations. Social Darwin's argued that it was natural for stronger nations to dominate weaker ones.

Economic Motives

Imperialists needed raw materials to supply their factories. They needed foreign markets in which to sell their finished products. They needed places to invest their profits. Colonies could provide all these things.

Military Motives

Military motives were linked to nationalism, since military power was a way to promote a nation's goals. Colonies were important as bases for resupply of ships. A nation with many colonies had power and security.

White Man's Burden

Rudyard Kipling's poem "White Man's Burden" offered a justification for imperialism. Kipling expresses the idea that white imperialists had a moral duty to educate people in nations, they considered less developed. Missionaries spread western ideas, customs and religions to people in Africa and Asia.