Industrial countries tried to spread their influence of new areas throughout the nineteenth century and this term “a new imperialism” was coined. Such European countries as Great Britain, France, and the United States tried to take control over vast areas in Africa. For some people, exploration of new territories was a humanitarian affair (Lewis 461). However, in the most cases, capitalists wanted to gain new markets and obtain access to natural resources. It is possible to consider the case of Henry Morton who is associated with the new imperialism and, the so-called, Africa Scramble.
Morton was assigned to rescue Emin Pasha. It is clear that the operation could have taken rather short period as the explorer had excessive resources (including weapons). Nonetheless, the explorer and those who initiated the operation were focused on possible gaining. Thus, Morton chose a long route and tried to set certain contacts with local tribes and make them work for him and his government. The explorer rescued the governor Pasha and, clearly, got good reward. At the same time, he expanded the territory that was under the control of Belgium.
He mentioned in his diary that lots of explorers took their time to give locals the opportunity to get acquainted with them, but he chose another way (Lewis 460). He concentrated on ‘covering’ as vast areas as possible. This haste can be easily explained as dozens of explorers (who represented different countries and governments) tried to win control over the same territories or areas that were not far. There was certain rivalry or even war for territories and resources. It is noteworthy that Europeans sought for natural as well as human resources as cheap labor of Africans was essential for capitalists’ enrichment. The case of Morton as well as some extract of his diary suggest that Europeans employed a variety of methods to expand their influence. They bribed chiefs of tribes, they fought locals, they tried to make friends with them. However, the result was the same as Europeans became locals’ oppressors.
On balance, it is possible to note that the new imperialism was concerned with the desire to get access to resources and new markets. Industrial countries used their advanced technologies (including military forces) to expand their control over less developed regions. Though the newcomers claimed they brought civilization and development to the new region, they were taking everything from local people in reality.
Works Cited
Lewis, Gavin. WCIV. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.