FREE ESSAY ON IMPACT OF IMPERIALISM

IMPACT OF IMPERIALISM

Impact of Imperialism
Imperialism had a big impact on both the Western and Non-western countries. During the
age of Imperialism a truly global economy emerged. The western industrialized nations
dominated, especially the United States, Britain, France and Germany. These nations
manufactured raw goods from the nonwestern continents such as: Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. The majority of the profits from this global exchange went to the western
powers. 
There was a new money economy during the Age of Imperialism. Western capitalists
urbanized mines and plantations, which were reliant on local labor. Colonial rulers
replaced the old exchange system with a new money economy. To cover government expenses,
many taxes were imposed on their subjects. The only way subjects could earn money was
through labor, such as: plantation work, mining, and government jobs. Many men became
migrant workers, which left the women at home to do the planting and support the
children. 
The less prevailing countries became very dependent on their industrial superiors.
Traditional economies were disrupted by mass production. Goods were produced cheaper and
gave a wider assortment, which wiped out Indian neighbors, who made hand made cloth.
Artisans and handcraft industries were destroyed because they could not compete with the
mass production prices. 
One benefit of colonial rule was modernization. Westerners created the basis for modern
banking systems. New technology was also established including communication and
transportation networks. Capitalists helped boost the economy by investing vast sums in
railroad building. From China to Chile, leaders and business people benefited. Many
countries, for example, used export profits to develop industry and buy innovative farm
equipment to endorse growth. 
Westernization was also known as modernization of less up to date countries. As
westerners conquered other lands, they pressured their people to accept new modern ways.
By this, they intended to impose western ideas, government, and culture. Nonwesterners
eventually adapted to belief in western superiority. Their confidence sagged in their own
cultures due to the success of the imperialist nations. To become advantageous, as the
dominant countries were, conquered countries learned to embrace many western ways. Some
nonwesterners, however, were astringent about the western modernization. They greatly
resented abandoning their age-old traditions, and strongly resisted the western powers. 
Missionaries who built schools and hospitals helped spread western ethnicity. They taught
the people literacy and trained young men for jobs. They introduced medical
breakthroughs, which saved many lives. Missionaries also spread their faith around the
world, and Christianity became prevalent. There was great cultural diffusion in the
nonwestern countries. Many countries didn't want to give up their old traditions, but did
want to try new ways. There was a complex blending of the old and new ways. 
Western cultures felt a bit of cultural diffusion as well. Westerners drank coffee from
Brazil and tea from Sri Lanka. They consumed bananas from Honduras, and pineapples from
Hawaii. The arts from nonwestern countries also influenced modern sculptors and painters.

There was some political apprehension payable to imperialism. Often, colonial rule
amalgamated rival people under a single government causing disgruntlement. By the early
1900s, opposition to imperialism was intriguing a new course. In Africa and Asia,
educated elites were organizing nationalist movements to end colonial rule. At the same
time, competition for empire was creating increased fervor between the western powers. In
1914, and again in 1939, imperialist ambitions would contribute to the outbreak of two
shattering world wars.
In finale, imperialism has impacted both the western and nonwestern areas in pessimistic
and affirmative ways.