How Did Early Nineteenth Century American Imperialism

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In the early nineteenth century, British victory in the Napoleonic Wars would combine with the industrial revolution of prior years to create an era economic zeal in the nation. Yearning for more resources, they would lead the way into cracking the far-east. As the rest of Europe recovered from the Napoleonic Malaise, they too would wish to fuel their empires with the treasures of the orient. The first of this new breed of imperialists were those which had colonized before but had now industrialized. Britain and the Lowlands would use preexisting routes and trading factories to spread their influence in the East. Africa would later be colonized as quinine allowed for exploitation of areas which had previously been limited. Other nations, now …show more content…
Additionally, they were convinced that they were not only right, but that the rest of the world was wrong. They depicted themselves as superior while also displaying other cultures as barbaric and idiotic. Lastly, imperialism would seek to impose itself on the whole world. Seeing others as seeking technological advancement and culture, they would make it their mission to expand as much as possible. In other words, the imperial powers of the industrial age were driven by their own pride in themselves and sought every moment to display their superiority over natives and each other. To exhibit the pride of the West, one must first examine the view from which the Europeans held themselves. The imperialists had deemed themselves superior in all ways to all other foreigners. Imperial nations, while always displaying less than favorable depictions of the natives, displayed themselves as kind and caring, working for the betterment of the locals. For example, in source four, Italian pasta is shown being served to African populations. The figures portraying Italy are well-dressed and directly serving the colonized populace while Italian flags are proudly hoisted on all