Industrialization and Imperialism

The word “imperialism” means a political system that is rich and powerful and is authorised to take control over the countries with low economies and power. Industrialisation initiated in Britain in the 1780s. Industrialisation is the process by which an economy from a primarily agricultural system is changed to one based on the manufacturing of goods.

On this page, we will get to know all about industrialization and imperialism. Also, how did the industrial revolution lead to imperialism along with the interesting facts to describe the effects of new imperialism.

Definitions

• As per the Cambridge Dictionary," Industrialization refers to the process of developing industries in a country" whereas "Imperialism refers to a system in which a country rules other countries, sometimes having used force to get power over them."

• As per the Merriam Webster," Industrialization refers to the act or process of industrializing : the widespread development of industries in a region, country, culture, etc" whereas "Imperialism refers to the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas".

Relation between Imperialism and Industrialisation

The relationship between industrial revolution and imperialism is that industrialisation helped in starting imperialism in the 19th century. The period of industrial revolution and British imperialism was from 1750 to 1850. The role of imperialism was to maximize the country's profits. These industrialized nations went to find nations in which they could exploit natural resources and affordable labour.

Causes of Industrial Revolution

In 1750 political liberalism, the enlightened age, infrastructure, and the financial climate allowed Great Britain to seek new process possibilities and make the newest enterprise ideas. 

In addition, literacy, public training, and the center class was growing immensely. Concepts like partnerships and promoting shares were brought about throughout this time period. The process of the Industrial Revolution was speedy in Western Europe however, through 1900 all of Europe was involved. 

Overall, the consequences of the revolution modified the way materials are transported, how products are made, on a global basis. The Industrial Revolution was a crucial turning point in European history due to the fact the changes made are integral in the modern age. The inventions elevated the global market, and solid infrastructure was constructed to assist a strong economy, in addition to a shift in people's socioeconomic status.

Why did Industrial Revolution Lead to Imperialism: History of Europe

Today, Europe and Western Culture dominates most of the sector and economic markets. But how did the sector end up this way? Imperialism is whilst a “stronger” country dominates a “weaker” country whether by military force or through diplomacy. And it's Imperialism that created the sector we recognise today, and it's very crucial to apprehend how our world has developed; even The Japan Times remains tweeting about imperialism today (The Japan Times)! Taking this again one greater step, why were a few nations “stronger” while a few were “weaker”. This may be attributed to industrialization. Industrialization helped fuel the start of imperialism in the nineteenth century.

The age of Imperialism commenced across the late 1800s after the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution was a catalyst to imperialism. The Industrial Revolution created rapid financial growth in addition to large improvements in technology. Because of those new enhancements, the population boom was on the rise, people were living longer, there was mass production of goods, and changes in the distribution of these goods. 

The industrial revolution started in Great Britain due to their geographic advantages and able farm animals (Diamond). Soon, industrialization unfolds all through Europe and to the United States. These newly industrialized countries wanted more raw materials to fuel their mass production and population increase.

In order to maximize the nation's profits, these industrialized countries went out to discover countries that they could exploit natural assets and cheap labour from as a result leading to imperialism. By the late nineteenth century, ¼ of earth’s territory was redistributed amongst less than 12 industrialized countries (“Imperialism Stats.”). All of these nations were scrambling to get satisfactory natural assets to fuel their factories, developing populations, and financial growth caused by industrialization.

Looking at the nations that did not industrialize, we see that they were the ones who were taken over by imperialism. Now, let us understand what is the connection between the industrial revolution and imperialism.

Industrial Revolution and Imperialism: Britain

The Industrial Revolution relied on many specific factors; however, an event that led most without delay to it was the Agricultural Revolution because it occurred in Britain. This growth in agricultural efficiency and productivity allowed the population of Britain to nearly double between 1700 and 1800; while concurrently decreasing the number of agricultural workers. This left a surplus of labour that would be usefully hired in mines; constructing roads and canals and operating in factories. And it was these industries that created a market for the form of the technology created by the Industrial Revolution.

In an economy where ~80% of the population is hired to work the land has inadequate resources of labour to exploit natural assets consisting of coal and metal mining. The changes in British agriculture that occurred in the past due seventeenth and early 18th centuries: Crop rotation; the metal-tipped wheel plow; and the enclosure of (inefficient) small fields into larger farms; etc. - substantially modified British labour markets. Without common land on which to raise some sheep or develop subsistence crops - rural workers were available to work in mines and factories.

Increases in agricultural performance had been taking place in some other places in Europe at the same time. But many nations had been racked with wars; with unsure and unreliable criminal systems.

Britain, via its command of the seas - and its experience as an inter-continental trading country had a few significant advantages. Sailing ships and canals were a good deal more efficient at shifting raw materials to factories; and finished items to markets than  horse- or ox-drawn wagons. Britain's growing overseas colonies provided ready access to international markets. And its traditions of mercantilism have left it with a category of entrepreneurs and investors with the capital and the know-how to exploit the work of scientists and engineers.

German; French and Italian scientists and engineers were no less successful or innovative than the ones of Britain. But Britain had the advantages of a world-class transport network (cruising ships and canals); a powerful and independent industrial legal system of courts to enforce contracts; and a notably powerful system of finance capitalism.

Effects of New Imperialism

Just like the two sides of a coin, there are positive and negative effects of imperialism, which we will understand one by one:

1. Positive Effects:

• Reduced local fighting

• Humanitarian efforts, like improved sanitation, build hospitals, and increased education

• Economic growth

• New technology, like railroads, dams, telephone, and telegraph

2. Negative Effects:

• Political and economic power in British hands.

• Loss of self-sufficiency

• Cash crops - decrease in food production/famine

• Threats to traditional Indian life

• Restrictions on Indian-owned industries

• Second-class status

Facts on Industrialization and Imperialism

• The term “industrial revolution” can be traced back to 1799 when it was popularised by an English economic historian Arnold Toynbee, who used it to indicate the economic development of Britain from 1750 to 1830 in lectures he gave that year.

• The British empire was the biggest empire by the 20th century. Though Britain sits on the bed of coal, until the 18th century, wood was the primary source of energy in this country.

• The first well-known factory was a water-powered cotton spinning mill, which we can see in the image below:

Conclusion

So, this was all about industrialization and imperialism. Now, let us understand the relationship between industrial revolution and imperialism in brief. Imperialism is the political and economic control over a country. For this to happen, a mighty country takes control over the weaker country in order to compress their assets dry. This superior power seizes all the natural resources the other countries possess and utilises them for their profits. The consequence leads to the entire ignorance of the weaker country’s culture and government. Because of the industrial revolution, many nations turn to imperialism to fulfill their needs.