Question

Explain causes of the rise of European colonisalism.

Answer 1

Colonialism is a type of imperialism where a powerful, developed nation takes control of a less developed and distant land, establishing its authority there. Several key factors led to the emergence of European colonialism.

1. Industrial Revolution: 
   1. In the second half of the 19th century, England developed a highly successful trade system due to the Industrial Revolution.
   2. Colonialism emerged because of this revolution, as new machinery led to a massive increase in production.
   3. However, domestic consumption could not keep up with the surplus goods being produced.
   4. As a result, Europeans urgently needed new markets to sell their products.
   5. These markets also had to be reliable and easy to control.
2. Requirements of Raw Material:
   1. Keeping production costs lower than those of competing countries is essential to remain competitive in the market.
   2. The aim to dominate the market by establishing a monopoly, along with the need to secure raw materials at lower prices, were two key reasons that made it crucial for European nations to assert their dominance.
3. Investing Surplus Capital:
   1. The Industrial Revolution increased the wealth of European capitalists, who were already financially well-off.
   2. As a result, they began looking for stable and profitable markets to invest their excess capital.
   3. From this perspective, the markets in underdeveloped countries appeared to be safe and reliable for investment.
   4. Therefore, the presence of surplus capital played a significant role in the emergence of colonialism.