The Changing Role Of European Imperialism In The 19th Century

Prior to the nineteenth century, westerners didn’t interfere with many affairs of nations outside of their borders. Although, when the need for abundance of resources and markets emerged, imperialism arose. Under imperialism, stronger nations attempted to create expanded empires by dominating weaker nations. Imperialism substantially influenced the 19th century throughout the entire world by increasing power of Britain's economy and political power. However, imperialism brought upon many changes to many countries, for better and for worse, in Africa and China. Countries resisted imperialism and wanted to stay isolated and independent from industrialized western nations. Although, those who faced being colonized in the 19th century unsuccessfully resisted colonial
Although, this wasn’t enough to keep many powerful European countries away. The scramble for Africa lead to the Berlin conference, which identified what European nations could control which parts of Africa, with no regards to Africa and its previous borders. This created many artificial states in Africa because culture, linguistic and ethnic groups were all divided. By 1914 European countries controlled 90 percent of Africa, compared to 1870 when only 10 percent of Africa was under European control. Ethiopia and Liberia were the only independent African nations in the 1900’s. After centuries of isolation African countries unsuccessfully resisted the colonial powers of many European countries.In the 19th century, after a long period of isolationism, China came under pressure from the West to open to foreign trade and relations. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States had created a wide gap between China and the West, leaving the nation behind technologically and military. In that period, China didn’t have the power to stand up to the Western nations. Chinese tried resisting colonial rule in the boxer rebellion and opium