Before we narrate the story of colonization of Asia and Africa by the various European powers, it shall be desirable to have an idea about the factors which facilitated this process. In the main the following factors contributed to the growth of colonies:
Firstly, in the first place the discovery of new lands encouraged the various colonies to establish their colonies there. Thus Spain and Portugal set up colonies in Central and South America after it was discovered by Columbus. Similarly, Portugal succeeded in establishing her colonies in India only after Vasco-da-Gama discovered the new sea route to India. Likewise in Africa the various European colonies cropped up after the exploration of the continent of Africa by Livingstone and Stanley.
Secondly, the economic considerations also played an important role in the establishment of colonies. European powers like England, France, Spain and Portugal found colonies in Asia, Africa as well as America because all these continents were endowed with rich natural resources and they wanted to exploit these resources to their advantage.
Thirdly, the industrial revolution compelled the European powers to look up for new sources of raw materials to feed their factories and they tried to establish their colonies to ensure regular supply of raw materials. For example Britain established her control over Egypt because she needed Egyptian cotton for her textile. Further, these European countries were in lookout for markets for their manufactured goods and found in these colonies a ready market.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Fourthly, as a result of industrial revolution the European industrialists had accumulated lot of surplus capital and were looking for profitable channels of investment. They invested this surplus capital in various industries in colonies and made huge profits.
Fifthly, the imperialists powers also needed colonies to rehabilitate their surplus population which could not be well supported by the resources available in the country. Both Germany and Japan carved out colonial empires in Africa and China to rehabilitate their surplus population.
Sixthly, the missionary societies which were closely linked with explorations, also provided a fillip to colonial activities by reporting about the variety of human races and their pageantry. This roused the curiosity and encouraged imperialistic activities.
Seventhly, some leaders undertook colonization with a view to civilize the backward races of the world as a part of the divine plan. Thus Cecil Rhodes, the famous British colonizer, claimed “we are the first race of the world, and that the more of the world were inhabit, the better it is for the human race”. Similarly, the Rudyard Kipling put forth the theory of white man’s burden’ which asserted that the white men had been ordained by God to civilize the backward people.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Eighthly, the policy of religious persecutions being pursued by certain rulers of Europe also forced the people to find new shelters to escape persecutions. Thus the Pilgrim Fathers from England went to North America and laid the foundation of the British colonies there.
Ninthly, the better means of transport and communication which became available in the nineteenth century also provided a fillip to colonialism. The first steamship crossed the Atlantic in 1838. Screw propellers were invented around 1860 which enabled the steamers to cut short the time of ocean travel drastically. In 1869 the Suez Canal was opened which reduced the sea route to India by 24 days.
The replacement of sail by steam made merchant and passenger liners more reliable. The discovery of telegraphic cables which sent messages across Atlantic and the invention of postal services, railways and steamships also greatly encouraged the colonial activities. In short, the various improvements in the means of transport and communication greatly encouraged colonial activities.
In the tenth place, the various European powers tried to carve out colonies because possession of colonies was regarded as a symbol of prestige and national glory. Some states set up colonies to protect their national interests. For example Britain acquired Malta, Gibraltar, Singapore, Shri Lanka and outer Tibet for the sake of security of her possessions. Likewise, France also occupied Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco on the same grounds.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Eleventhly, above all, the European powers were encouraged to embark on colonial ventures due to the weakness and disunity of people of Asia and Africa.