CAUSE
Political
The political cause of Imperialism was based on the need of Western countries to add more territories into their influence sphere, in order to prove to other countries that they were superior in relation with them, as more territories were added, more resources were available and so more power was held in their hands.
Economical
The industrial revolution had changed the resources needed. In order to power the industrialization of their country, coal and other forms of natural resources were needed, and so one they had to finish those in their countries, the answer was to try to have more resources using territories rich in natural resources like Africa.
Social
The spread of theory such as Social Darwinism - which believed in the assumption that weak society should be overpowered by strong societies - was used as a moral and social justification for the political and economic reasons behind imperialism. There were also some people who believed they were superior to other humans beings.
EFFECT
Political
The effect of imperialism on politics was a large expansion towards unheld territories, where European countries tried to power or depower local communities in order to acquire control over their population and territories, making the less effort possible in order to avoid the destabilisation of Europe but trying at the same time to obtain the maximum power possible from other countries.
Economical
The mayor economical effect was that the countries that have many territories were also the country that led the industrial revolution, with a repercussion on the economy of other states that were slow to pick up with the new market. England, France, Belgium, Spain led the industrial revolution for at least a century.
Social
The social effect of Imperialism in Western Countries was the growing belief that the Western Men was superior in every aspect. It was believed that was the duty of strong societies to educate and conquer the perceived weaker societies like the one existed in Africa at the time, so stereotypes about race grow and spread throughout Europe.
