As defined by Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, “Imperialism is the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other area.” Imperialism in its most basic form has been around for centuries. During the times when Kings, Queens, Czars/Tsars and Emperors ruled, liberalism was an extension of the desire to increase power and wealth. It was often difficult for rulers to promote liberalism because Parliaments saw little need to annex new lands because any monies coming with the annexation would have to be used to maintain the annexed territory. Likewise, Parliaments felt there was no need to increase the country's wealth to simply increase the country's war potential. Many attempts at liberalism in the 18th and 19th centuries resulted in wars and revolutions. It was generally believed that liberalism would be accepted without much question because the people of every territory acquired by a Nation would have the right to decide to which state they wished to belong. However, people rebelled when it became clear that no Ruler would relinquish control over a territory or its peoples and the right of self determination could not be exercised. Only when England freed the Ionian Islands was the right of self determination peacefully resolved.
The Italians fought to overthrow foreign domination; the Germans fought in the Franco-German conflict to prevent denationalization; those persons of Slavic origins (the Poles and the South Slavs) fought for liberation even as Czar stopped one rebellion after another. What people hoped to gain through imperialism was national independence. However, when nations took over territories, they found it difficult to maintain two cultures side by side with differing languages and customs. Imperialism worked most favorable in those instances where emigrants were able to migrate to lands where their compatriots were in political power. If this was not the case, conflict was sure to erupt. It seems that where capitalism abounds, imperialism can get a more stable footing because capital and labor will always flow to the most favorable location. Modern imperialism dates back to the late 19th century. There were fewer ruling dynasties to contend with than in the earlier years of imperialism. England began looking for and obtaining colonial markets in Africa and Asia. Most colonial settlements could call England their Mother country. Once the USA began engaging in Imperialism in the late 1800's other countries fell under its influence in political, economic and cultural ways. These effects from American Imperialism were positive because of the idea of Democracy that spread to other cultures and other countries.
Though some indicators say otherwise, I believe Imperialism is alive and well in this day and age. The focus initially was in the acquisition of territories and there is little if any of that today. However, the American culture still influences other cultures greatly. Again the idea of Democracy is an idea that many seek to attain and maintain. This idea of democracy led to the Spanish-American-Cuban-Filipino War of 1898.
Reference:
"An Encyclopaedia Britannica Company." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 17 Nov 2010. Web. 17 Nov 2010. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperialsim?show=0&t=1290026499>.
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