The imperial age refers to the period from 1880 to 1914 when the great powers of Europe sought to dominate the world. In this time period, imperialism was best defined as a movement by the major European powers to dominate or to take into their spheres of influence all the unattached states in the world. In the period of 1880 to 1914, the few remaining independent area of the globe came under the dominance of one industrial power or another. During this time, European nations were the most active in pursuing imperialist activities. Many people believe that these European nations were not justified in pursuing imperialism, because they were only interested in selfish goals. While other people believe that these nations had every right to pursue imperialism, because these nations were only concentrated on helping and improving the countries they conquered. The importance of this issue is significant, because the colonies that these European nations conquered, endured many changes that still to this day affect their standard of living and recognition in the world.
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Europe Day 2008 in Foreign MinistryThese European nations pursued imperialism for three general reasons. The first reason being Economic, because as the Industrial Revolution continued, these European nations needed more and more raw materials to supply their factories. They also needed more and more markets in which to sell their masses of manufactured products. The second reason was political, because the major western European nations were rivals for power and glory. Nationalists believed that colonies would increase their nation's wealth, status, prestige, and military strength. The third reason was social, because many Europeans believed that western civilization was far superior to all the other civilizations in the world. They felt "compelled" to bring to or impose upon other people the benefits of the Industrial Revolution, western European languages, cultures, education, values...