¶ … 20th century, a new and distinctive global system had developed out of the interaction and mutual reinforcement of technological innovations, nationalist motivations, and new imperialism. Nationalist motivations to acquire land and glory for the good of one's nation likely played an important part in driving the new imperialism that characterized the beginning of the 19th century. In turn, technology provided a means for countries like Britain and France to expand their overseas territories, and thus bring many of their nationalist dreams to fruition. Overall, the interplay between nationalist motivations, new imperialism and technological innovation was a complex and profoundly important factor in the history of the early 20th century and late 19th century.
Nationalist motivations focus on loyalty and an almost complete and blind devotion to a country. To the nationalist, a country is seen as superior to all others, and the promotion of its culture and interests above all others is seen as paramount. Many European countries had known nationalist motivations in the 19th century and earlier. As a leader in innovation, commerce and politics, England developed a nationalistic pride that motivated the country to commit a number of acts for "for King and Country." In addition, England and France had long-standing beliefs that each was superior to the other. Is was this belief in the supremacy of one's individual country justified the spread of that country's culture, and political ends that led to imperialism. Out of deep-seated nationalist motivations came the country's motivation to conquer other lands. These nationalist motivations also justified any number of actions that were aimed at increasing the glory of the home country.
The imperialist actions and beliefs of European countries were clearly present far before the 20th century arrived. Countries like England, France, Spain, and Portugal had long laid claim to lands that were far beyond their borders, and European imperialism was alive and flourishing as early as the 1600s. America itself was a subject to the imperialist actions of countries like France, England and Spain before became an independent country, and embarked upon a number of imperialist goals itself.
New imperialism can be seen, in part, as simply an outgrowth of the old imperialist tendencies of European powers. New imperialism refers largely to the European colonial expansion that occurred from roughly the 1870s to the outbreak of WWII in 1914. This new period of colonial expansion was perhaps driven by the most fervent of nationalist motivations, and the desire to expand the empire simply for the glory of colonization. European powers aggressively focused on acquiring overseas territories during this time. These European powers often saw themselves as liberators of great uncivilized nations, and felt clear racial superiority to their subjugated colonies.
As Britain and other countries surged forward in their desire to conquer new lands during the age of new imperialism, they often found themselves in direct competition. Britain had lost its stranglehold as the world's foremost industrialized nation, and felt a great deal of pressure from German, American, and French interests. The massive surge of British imperialism during the age of new imperialism may have simply reflected Britain's desire to maintain itself as a leading world power. Thus, nationalistic motivations may have led Britain, declining in world power, to push ever harder for Britain's superiority, thus leading to the massive surge of new imperialism.
Headrick argues that both the motivation for imperialist expansion and the means to bring about such expansion changed in the 19th century, thus bringing about the dramatic increase in colonialism in the 19th century. An important component in the overwhelming successes of the new imperialism was the development of new technologies that fueled the success of colonialism.
Technological innovations were a profound component of life in the 19th century and early 20th century. The 19th century saw innovations as diverse as the telephone, telegraph, automobile, phonograph, photography, electric light, the railroad locomotive, and the repetition rifle. These technological changes had their roots in the transition from the First to the Second Industrial Revolution (Headrick). Innovation brought about massive changes in social structures, economic structure, and even in political spheres. In addition, technology played an important role in the colonialism of the 19th and 20th centuries.
In his book The Tools of Empire: Technology and European Imperialism in the Nineteenth Century, Daniel R. Headrick notes the "technological changes that made imperialism happen, both as they enabled motives to produce events, and as they enhanced the motives themselves." In simpler terms, Headrick argues that technology itself helped to create many of the motivations...
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