What do you mean by Imperialism ?

Meaning of Imperialism :

• The term Imperialism implies ‘Occupation and domination of one country by another’.

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• Imperialism refers to the ambition of a strong and advanced country to occupy and control the backward countries in order to exploit the people and resources of the occupied countries.
• In the 19th century, Imperialism helped European powers to increase the territories under their rule in Asia and Africa.

Forms of Imperialism. There are two forms of Imperialism :

• Ancient Imperialism
• Modem or new Imperialism.

Ancient Imperialism :

• Ancient imperialism is as old as human civilization.
• Ancient nations like Greeks, Romans, Persians, Arabs and Chinese could build up vast empires by extending their territories beyond their own nations, for fulfilling their missionary or personal ambitions.
• The main purpose of these imperialist countries was to add political power or bring glory to the country.

Modern Imperialism (New Imperialism) :

1. Industrial Revolution gave way to European Imperialism which began to discover new lands in different parts of the world.
2. Modem empires were made and ex­tended to achieve economic motives.
3. The main motives were

• to discover new sources for raw material
• to dispose off their manufactured goods.

Effects of Imperialism :

• There was an unabated race for colo­nies among the western countries.
• It caused enmity and jealousy among imperialist countries.
• Imperialists adopted the policy of Di­vide and Rule and demoralised the people by their exploitation and colonial rule.
• Poverty, ignorance and many other evils were brought by way of imperialism in Asia and Africa.
• Imperialism has left its unending traces in the society in the form of slavish mentality, loss of human values and virtues and above all a corrupt society.