Empirialism/New Empirialism
New empirialism was a period marked by rivalry, competition, and control over colonies.
During this time, the African and Asian continents became the focal points of colonization,
leading to increased competition among the great powers and new forms of control.
One of the central reasons for the rise of empirialism was nations' desire for more power;
colonization and alliances became key methods for establishing the largest empire. A clear
example of how countries could use alliances as a means of power is the alliance between
France and the Americans during the American War of Independence to weaken British
power; in this way, the great powers maintained their own strength.
Exploration and missionary work were also causes of empirialism and led to early
colonization. The voyages of discovery resulted in fortunate findings such as spices, gold, and
slaves, leading to the establishment of various trade routes via railways and methods for the
great powers to control the territories. Missionary work justified colonization, as European
powers believed it was their duty to civilize underdeveloped populations, further promoting
colonization and empirialism.
This correlates with the arguments of Gabriel Hanotaux, a French politician and historian who
advocated for France as a great power. Hanotaux believed it was the French's duty to civilize
populations that were considered barbaric at that time, and that the role of colonization is part
of the French tradition. He had a nationalist view of why France's colonial role was positive,
believing that colonization was a "mother’s gift" because France enriches the world with its
art, language, literature, and ideals. This aligns with "the White Man's Burden," an ideology
asserting that the white race is superior to others and has undertaken the responsibility to
develop and civilize countries with "delayed development." Hanotaux's argument relates to
social Darwinism, an ideology asserting that "the strongest survive" to justify hierarchies and
colonization. Imperialists believed that some races were less developed than others and took
advantage of the struggle for existence; those who adapted best would colonize as many lands
as possible and thrive at the colonies' expense. This would again be constructed as a
justification for empirialism, as colonization was deemed justified due to the belief in
European superiority.
New empirialism was a period marked by rivalry, competition, and control over colonies.
During this time, the African and Asian continents became the focal points of colonization,
leading to increased competition among the great powers and new forms of control.
One of the central reasons for the rise of empirialism was nations' desire for more power;
colonization and alliances became key methods for establishing the largest empire. A clear
example of how countries could use alliances as a means of power is the alliance between
France and the Americans during the American War of Independence to weaken British
power; in this way, the great powers maintained their own strength.
Exploration and missionary work were also causes of empirialism and led to early
colonization. The voyages of discovery resulted in fortunate findings such as spices, gold, and
slaves, leading to the establishment of various trade routes via railways and methods for the
great powers to control the territories. Missionary work justified colonization, as European
powers believed it was their duty to civilize underdeveloped populations, further promoting
colonization and empirialism.
This correlates with the arguments of Gabriel Hanotaux, a French politician and historian who
advocated for France as a great power. Hanotaux believed it was the French's duty to civilize
populations that were considered barbaric at that time, and that the role of colonization is part
of the French tradition. He had a nationalist view of why France's colonial role was positive,
believing that colonization was a "mother’s gift" because France enriches the world with its
art, language, literature, and ideals. This aligns with "the White Man's Burden," an ideology
asserting that the white race is superior to others and has undertaken the responsibility to
develop and civilize countries with "delayed development." Hanotaux's argument relates to
social Darwinism, an ideology asserting that "the strongest survive" to justify hierarchies and
colonization. Imperialists believed that some races were less developed than others and took
advantage of the struggle for existence; those who adapted best would colonize as many lands
as possible and thrive at the colonies' expense. This would again be constructed as a
justification for empirialism, as colonization was deemed justified due to the belief in
European superiority.
