British Impact on Imperialism

Essay by enrightmHigh School, 10th gradeA-, November 2014

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Meredith Enright

Mr. Riley

Honors World History

19 March 2014

British Impact on African Imperialism

Great Britain is known for the empire it built in the 19 th century. But what were the driving forces behind their expansion across the globe? It wasn't all about economics and money. The English felt they were taking on a moral role in assuming the "burden" of changing Africa into a place modeled after their own land. But really the burden fell on the people of Africa, and the British were the ones who benefited.

After the Industrial Revolution, Britain was one of the the most powerful countries in the world. Its factories produced more goods than anyone else and their banks were full of the money enabling them to increase production and spread their success worldwide. They were ready for, and wanted expansion. The British wanted to reach more people and areas with their already growing market. They had new technology other countries had yet to discover and were able to sell mass amounts of goods for cheaper prices. Their other motive for imperialism was to find other areas of land where raw materials were present. Britain's natural resources could no longer sustain their rapidly expanding market. When the British colonized Africa, they had full control over which resources went in and out of Africa. For example, they wanted to be able to have access to diamond mines and other valuable raw materials. Essentially, because of imperialism, Africa provided Britain with the ability to support, and continue growing their market with natural resources and it also allowed them to gain a larger market when African people bought the goods they produced. I think that during this time, the British were arrogant and felt very powerful. In many ways, they thought that they could...