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Cultural Imperialism


Cultural imperialism occurs when a more powerful nation controls the culture of another nation. For example, the more dominant cultures of the French and English undermined and suppressed the Indigenous peoples of Canada. In a like manner, the French Canadians worry about their culture being overpowered by the much more dominant cultures of English Canada and United States.

Complete the cultural imperialism section of Assignment 2.3: Forms and Motives of Imperialism.

Age of Imperialism


The Age of Imperialism began with the Age of Exploration. From Columbus (1492) through to the First World War (1914-1918), European imperialism was based upon three motivating factors:

  • desire for wealth

  • desire for power

  • desire to spread new ways of thought, such as Christianity

European nations, many of whom were just beginning to think of themselves as nations, began to push out from their isolation to explore, conquer, and settle new lands. The first wave of imperialism in Europe was primarily for resources and wealth with the added impetus of spreading Christian beliefs. Nations such as France and England used private companies, whose main goal was profit, as their colonizers. Other nations, such as Spain, controlled overseas colonies directly through the king's court. However, as nations began to feel more powerful and confident, their governments became involved by setting up direct control of colonies and protectorates. As nations gained more prestige from having large empires and power based on the wealth of their colonies, they came into greater conflict with other imperialistic countries. Nations raced to grab more lands or to encroach upon another nation's colonies. This era of growth, confrontation, and conflict was part of what is called the Age of Imperialism or the New Imperialism. Eventually, the growing tensions arising from the race for greater imperial control over world resources led to World War I.

Imperialism has had a huge impact on history and the formation of the modern world. New nations, such as Canada, were formed through the imperialist actions of France and Britain. Likewise, most nations have been affected by imperialism, in both good and bad ways. Legacies left by imperialism are still affecting many new developing nations today in one form or another.