Dbq Essay on Nationalism

During the late 1800s and the early 1900s European nations wanted to expand and conquer other countries. They wanted to expand economy, get raw materials, and make them more powerful than other countries. The Europeans nations involved in colonizing these countries were Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The mind set of these nations was like the thinking of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest. These nations thought they were the strongest nation which brought along the thought of social Darwinism. In document 6, European nations need for raw materials and new markets fueled the scramble for Africa. The scramble for Africa is European nations started to take over Africa between 1850 and 1914 especially Britain. European nations competed for land in Africa. Before 1850 there was very little European influence, but after the Berlin conference, which no African nations were invited to this conference. This conference changed that by 1914 only Ethiopia and Liberia remained free. Before the scramble in document 1 for Africa British colonies on the coast of Africa were very important because it set up trading post and fueling stations for the navy. In document 2 the domestication of animals for agricultural purposes the improvement of tools will make the land more productive. In document 3 benefitted the people in the colonies by getting rid of slave trade and human sacrifices. They also built railroads and roads which improved trade and transportation. Britain also had colonies in Africa. They also had colonies in India because of this the economy of Britain became bigger and became very powerful. The British restricted Indian trade and made free trade for British goods. In document 5 Britain was the major trading nation with India they claimed it was all for the good of India. The actions taking by the British caused revolts and disunity in India. The Indians never accepted being under British rule and always tried to revolt. Eventually an Indian ruler led the Indians to freedom from British and Britain lost India as a colony. In document 8 the Japanese effects on the Koreans caused them to change their names to Japanese name and they had to worship Japanese gods. Imperialism was a big driving force in the late 1800s early 1900s. Nations fought other nations for other countries. People under imperialistic rule revolted and some became free. People feared being taken over by other stronger nations.