European Colonialism, Imperialism, and Cultural Superiority Essay examp

European Imperialism and Cultural Superiority      Ã‚  Ã‚   Many factors contributed to the colonization of Africa by European powers between 1895 and 1905. Among these factors were the effects of European history, the growing capitalist economy, and the growing competition between European powers. Most important was the belief that European culture was superior to African culture. During the height of imperialism, the vast majority of the African continent was controlled by Europe (à ¬Extentà ® 19). It is important to understand what gave the momentum for European dominance at the time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Imperialism is present in European history, beginning with the Roman Empire (Lenin). Lugard believes that Europeans inherited à ¬instincts of colonial expansionà ® from their ancestors (Lugard). The Romans practiced what was essentially an early form of imperialist economics (Lenin). Joseph A. Schumpeter writes that most of the wars of history were fought without any real justifiable purpose, and instead were fought out of aggression for its own sake (Schumpeter). He seems to believe that the imperialism is much the same (Schumpeter). This he relates to the history of Europe by noting that the nobles, who had a strong history in warfare for its own sake, were influential in pushing for imperialism (Schumpeter). He believes that the bourgeois class would never have accomplished imperialism on its own (Schumpeter).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism à ¬ (Lenin). There were definite economic factors contributing to the move towards imperialism in Europe (Hobson). This is probably the most basic explanation of Eur... ...02hobson.html>. Kipling, Rudyard. "The White Manà ­s Burden." Aug. 1997 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/Kipling.html>. Lenin, Vladimir Illyich . "Imperialism, the Highest State of Capitalism." July 1998 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1916lenin-imperialism.html>. Lugard, F.D. "The Rise of Our East African Empire." Nov. 1998 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1893lugard.html> Orwell, George. 'Shooting an Elephant." 2 June, 1997 <http://www.bnl.com/shorts/stories/shootelp.html> Paton, John G. July 1998 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1883hebrides.html>. Schumpeter, Joseph A. "The Sociology of Imperialism." July 1998 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1918schumpeter1.html>. Townsend, Mary Evelyn. European Colonial Expansion Since 1871. Chicago: J.P. Lippincott Company, 1941.