Summary Of The Justification For Imperial Expansion

Thesis: The justifications for imperial expansion not only rely on remaining competitive in the global aspect of economy, but because it is the duty of superior races to civilize inferior races. Jules Ferry begins by elaborating on the competitiveness of imperialism and what it means to the country of France. An industrializing population is ever growing and he uses Germany and America as examples of how their imperialistic approach is beginning to cut into their own market. At this time, and even to this very day, countries remain motivated to grow and develop their country. Countries engage in large trade agreements with foreign countries to continue economic growth and hide under the veil of foreign relations. Each relationship is treated
While it seems that this idea can be given out of humanitarian approach, it is more out of the necessity for imperialistic expansion. Ferry quickly reverts back to giving evidence that superior races civilized inferior ones in the past because they need to continue to open up trade networks for the country’s own progression. Opening up these connections allows countries to remain strong and compete and that is why they will never leave these locations. They will never leave and only continue to “civilize” them so as to keep connections open for trade and future trade routes. However, the idea of imperialism in foreign countries for civilization does hold weight. Many countries did believe that it was their duty to civilize inferior races but their idea of civilization merely meant to control and inhabit the population. To civilize the inferior races would mean to help them and introduce them to modern technologies and ideas, yet still allow them to develop on their own. At this time of imperialistic expansion, the idea was not as humanitarian and relied more of civilizing by projecting their own ideas and inhabiting the land for their own, so that they could grow their own countries economy and territory. Imperialism was justified by competitiveness and duty, but in actuality it was about power and remaining a dominant force in the