...Imperialism by Robin Hathorn Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting, distinguishing, separating, and artificially injecting the culture or language of one nation in another. It is usually the case that the former is a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter is a smaller, less affluent nation. Cultural imperialism can take the form of an active, formal policy or a general attitude. Cultural imperialism is a form of cultural influence distinguished from other forms by the use of force, such as military or economic force. Cultural influence is a process that goes on at all times between all cultures that have contact with each other. Cultural imperialism is also very different from other imperialistic ways, in the sense that no military or economic intervention is needed to be able to influence countries. When discussing cultural imperialism involving the United States, one often refers to the U.S. as the "American Empire". The American Empire is a term sometimes used to describe the historical domination and the current political, economic, and cultural influence of the United States on a global scale. Cultural imperialism involves much more than simple consumer goods; however, it involves the teaching and implementation American principles, such as freedom and democracy on to other nations. However, it is in popular culture that the mutual relationship between America and the rest of the world is demonstrated best. Cultural imperialism...
Words: 552 - Pages: 3
...Imperialism is a type of advocacy of empire. Its name originated from the Latin word "imperium", meaning to rule over large territories. Imperialism is "a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means".[2] Imperialism has greatly shaped the contemporary world.[3] The term imperialism has been applied to Western political and economic dominance in the 19th and 20th centuries, however its precise meaning continues to be debated by scholars. For example, cartographers of the nineteenth century used cartography to further fuel imperialism. As scholar Bassett notes, "Maps were used in various ways to extend European hegemony over foreign and often unknown territory."[4] It is better to use terms such as cultural or economic imperialism to describe some of these less formal types of domination.[5] Some writers, such as Edward Said, use the term more broadly to describe any system of domination and subordination organised with an imperial center and a periphery.[6] From a Marxist perspective, imperialism is a natural feature of a developed capitalist nation state as it matures into monopoly capitalism. In Lenin's work Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, he observed that as capitalism matured in the Western world, economies shifted away from manufacturing towards banking, finance, and capital markets, as production was outsourced to the empires' colonies. Lenin concluded that competition between Empire and...
Words: 498 - Pages: 2
...argued that the turn to imperialism by the United States in the late nineteenth century was of a piece with expansionist policy that dated back to the founding of the nation. Many of the justifications were similar, including a civilizing mission, expanding economic opportunities, competition with foreign powers, and others. Additionally, the anxieties that resulted from the closing of the frontier (most famously expressed in Frederick Jackson Turner's 1893 essay The Significance of the Frontier in American History) are often cited as driving forces for continued expansion as a way of maintaining American vitality in a modern world. Yet imperialism marked a major departure from previous US policy. For more than a century, political leaders had emphasized American isolation from the problems of the world. By mid-century, however, the desire for new markets for United States manufactured goods had resulted in increasing involvement in foreign affairs. The United States became an imperialist power for reasons of wealth, land, and power in the late eighteenth century. Though ideologically convincing, the imperialist policies that the US followed proved to be unsuccessful in a number of instances. From 1890 to about 1911, many Americans held the strongest of reservation either in favor or against United States imperialism. Thus, the debate over imperialism is split into two categories: Imperialists and anti-imperialists. The debate surrounding imperialism was indeed one of the greatest...
Words: 1430 - Pages: 6
...Imperial America EDGE Fall Quarter 2003 Tim Chueh Ambert Ho 12/5/03 What Is Imperialism? “Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism…characterized by monopoly corporations and the compulsion to export capital abroad for higher profits. Unlike capitalism in the earlier stages, in the imperialist stage, capitalism has no more progress to bring the world…the cause of contemporary militarism” – Lenin “The policy, practice, or advocacy of seeking, or acquiescing in, the extension of the control, dominion, or empire of a nation, as by the acquirement of new, esp. distant, territory or dependencies, or by the closer union of parts more or less independent of each other for operations of war, copyright, internal commerce, etc.” – Oxford dictionary The word imperialism derives from “empire.” As such, it is useful to spend a bit of time to define the word. In working towards a minimal definition, Stanford Professor of Archaeology J. Manning in his first lecture on Ancient Empires starts with: “An empire is a territorially extensive hierarchically political organization.” Unfortunately this definition is too vague. All states encountered in human history are by definition hierarchical, and many nations today are vast compared to the...
Words: 10655 - Pages: 43
...Imperialism is a policy of expanding a nation's power and influence through colonization, use of the army, or any other means. In the process of the Chinese revolution, this has been the primary factor hindering the revolution process. According to Cheek (2002) , imperialism goes hand in hand with counterinsurgency which is a military or political action taken against the revolutionaries. These two led to the rise of dictatorship in China leading to oppression to the citizens. Mao Zedong was the prominent person in the fight against imperialism as he championed the transformation into a semi-colony and later into a colony. In this assignment, we will look at how the Chinese revolution tells us about anti-imperialism and counterinsurgency. Chinese...
Words: 1073 - Pages: 5
...Imperialism has been interpreted from a variety of viewpoints. To some imperialism may seem like a good idea to have money and treasure for their countries. To others imperialism destroyed their lives. Imperialism started slavery and made countries get token by other countries. Imperialism has shaped the culture and custom all over the world. In attempt to grow its economy and culture, imperialism has change the world. Imperialism in Africa significantly altered much of the continent, both for better and for worse. European imperialist expansion in Africa, had gave them new resources that they still use today. Hospitals, school and factories were built creating more jobs for the people of Africa. The amount of local warfare was reduced greatly...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...manifest destiny. Our lifestyles and ultimate waste and hoarding of resources have been established on the premise that our American way is the better way. As we proceed to attain and use more, America spreads its hand and control even further through the uses of its corporations and other services. Koning (1993) has revealed that in 1845, author John L. O’Sullivan coined the term Manifest Destiny. At that time, America was growing at a staggering rate with the independence of Mexico and some Native American nations. People like O’Sullivan felt even larger expansions were inevitable. This phrase justified our divine right to expand westward and to exercise hegemony over our neighbors and ultimately is a defense of what we now call Imperialism. This was a complex set of ideas encompassing opinions of race, religion, culture, and economic necessity. Throughout the nation, settlers traveled in search of land to further expand their wealth and prominence. In Texas and Florida, they found oil. In California, Nevada, and Arizona, they found gold. All the while, settling into these “uncivilized” regions spreading what they felt was progress and democracy. The fact that the lands were already occupied was of little consequence of the ultimate goal of controlling the land. It was, after all, our destiny. In the wake of many wars fought with the indigenous people of this land, we have filled our coffers with the booty of our empire and by the blood of the natives. Perkins...
Words: 793 - Pages: 4
...Research Paper The effects of the United States Imperialism By Andrew Watterson John Brown University 3/6/2013 American imperialism is believed to have truly begun in 1898 when America fought the Spanish in order to obtain Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. The Spanish-American War was during the presidential administration of President McKinley. It was caused by the sinking of the U.S. battleship, USS Maine, in Havana harbor in 1898. War was declared and the United States won quickly. Under the treaty of the U.S. acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from Spain in return for $20 million. Later on President McKinley was assassinated in 1901 and vice president Theodore Roosevelt stepped up to fill his role as commander and chief. Now that the American army was a worldwide force to be reckoned with, and a headstrong, powerful leader was in control, the tone was set for an American empire to be formed. A glimpse into the newspaper articles of this era will help illuminate the thoughts of the American people’s thoughts of an empirical nation. In the all stages of the American empire, there have always been mixed feelings of the idea, that either it would be a commercial success and a glorious thing for the nation, where as others suggested that we were no better than the British empire that we broke away from. “It is pointed out that such an empire would be the greatest the world has ever seen, and, the possessions that America has won from Spain during...
Words: 782 - Pages: 4
...America had definitely played its role in its imperialism. First of all imperialism is the control from one country doing to another. America has controlled a lot of countries in its time. In this essay I will talk about the causes and effects that America’s imperialism played a role in. We have really controlled a lot of countries in our time but this essay will focus more on the 19th and 20th century. We play a pretty big influence in the world today as in status wise. A lot of countries respect us because of our integrity and greatness that we have achieved. Overall I will talk about how imperialism existed in the time of American in 19th and 20th century as well as explain the causes by this time and effects that resulted on our lives today. Imperialism is the policy or action by which one country controls another country or territory. Most such control is achieved by military means to gain economic and political advantages. Such a policy is also called expansionism. An expansionist state that obtains overseas territories follows a policy usually called colonialism. An imperialist government may wish to gain new markets for its exports, plus sources of inexpensive labor and raw materials. A far-flung empire may satisfy a nation's desire for military advantage or recognition as a world power. Imperialism has definitely played its role in our lifetime as well as in the 19th century. First of all we attacked Iraq regarding a power issue. We believed they had some powerful...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...Proponents of imperialism and colonialism sparked from the idea that it would improve the economic, political, and social portions of an environment. The design of European imperialism elicited political and diplomatic responses, and soon after it provoked military resistance. Both methods of so-called improvement kept nations from doing what could possibly help them thrive; cooperating to achieve shared goals. Without cooperation, places cannot improve and prosper on aspects that need refinement. Colonialism does not help the native populations because it overall divides previous peaceful co-existing portions of a society. Purposefully, colonization aimed to control land, labor, natural resources, and markets. Settlers need to occupy a country,...
Words: 1055 - Pages: 5
...American Imperialism In the late 19th century, global empires were becoming closer together because of the improvements in technology. Weaponry and armies were becoming more powerful, while communications, transportation, and commerce connected the countries together like never before. The American dream of Imperialism was to bring the world together by exporting products, ideas, and influence. Americans wanted to teach other nations the American values of democracy, free enterprise capitalism, and Protestant Christianity. The social factors of American imperialism were to extend western ideas, religion, and government. The main idea was to find markets all around the world. The Americans wanted to expand their values, increase foreign trade, enhance American prestige, and guarantee future security. They were willing to do this by expanding boundaries, purchasing colonies, or persuading encouragement to take control and better the American social lifestyles and security. The economic growth of industrial networks had linked America with foreign markets like never before. Employment and farmers were depending on foreign countries to keep the economy going. Farmers and industries relied on the world to purchase products and goods and at the same time kept the economy going by providing jobs and keeping farmers from going broke and selling their farms. As America relied on foreign trade for wealth and power, they needed a strategic way to protect the foreign markets, and the...
Words: 300 - Pages: 2
...In every country, sweat and tears have been shed to protect and preserve the long-established culture and beliefs of the people. However, when countries are in dire need of support they easily succumb to superior countries in the hopes of progress. When this happens, the imperialist seizes control of the vulnerable country, tearing apart their culture and taking away all their profitable goods. This policy of a powerful nation dominating the politics, economy, and society of a weaker nation is known as imperialism. The expansion of this policy began in Western Asia and China, but it later spread to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, leading to the Age of Imperialism from 1870 to 1914 when countries were motivated to take over other countries...
Words: 1487 - Pages: 6
...Europe was a nation that turned from nothing into something. It is one of the biggest Imperialist nations that the world has ever seen. Europe began to colonize everywhere and they sought an opportunity. In addition, Asia and Africa were the two biggest continents that the Europeans had an effect on. Due to Europe being an under power, Asia and Africa were dominantly powerful in terms of the economy and political strength. Later on, Europeans were beginning to ask for help from these two countries and started to be involved with each nation and its daily activities. It eventually turned out to diminish both nations and Europe became a powerful nation because of Imperialism. Europe began to take over control and changed their treatment individually...
Words: 764 - Pages: 4
...Charoenchitmun Explication Essay Final Draft October 23, 2008 The Depravity of British Imperialism In 1886, Burma lost its independence and sovereignty to Great Britain in the “Third Anglo-Burmese” War. At that time, Great Britain had one of its colonies in the sub-continental region of India which was known as “British India.” Eventually, Burma was annexed into British India and was oppressed under British imperialism. Imperialism is “a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force” (Oxford Dictionary). In the essay “Shooting An Elephant” by George Orwell, imperialism is portrayed as a corrupt act in which the British Empire imposes itself on Burma. Orwell use rhetorical techniques to describe how imperialism can create grotesque effects on both the British and Burmese. In Orwell’s essay, characters such as the police officer, the local Burmese people and the elephant display the brutal reality British imperialism. The British police officer serves his country in Burma and is constantly mocked by the local Burmese. But, one day they praise him when he kills the outrageous elephant that is let loose in the neighborhood. George Orwell effectively depicts the theme of imperialistic depravity through the use of symbolism, irony and visual imagery in “Shooting An Elephant.” George Orwell exemplifies the immorality of British imperialism through the use of symbolism. In “Shooting An Elephant,” the elephant becomes wild and starts...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...Imperialism was a global and controversial topic that has affected the current economic state in many independent countries today. In the 19th century, some powerful nations like the British and the Belgians strived to take over as much land on Earth to dominate the political, economic and social life of many people. In return, these nations would develop and westernize the people in these territories “to bring the results of their progress to other countries”(World History, 686). However, Imperialism was not a progressive force for all because it was imposed by one’s own interest, while others were subjugated and exploited. In addition, imperialism restricted the advancements of technology and industrialization in many countries. Imperialism was not a progressive force for all people because many oppressed...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
