SST1772-ABED_2: 2.3.3 The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain

How did historical globalization and imperialism shape today's world?

British Empire, 1897 Image in public domain

Imperialism has had a huge effect on history and the formation of the modern world. Canada was formed through the imperialist actions of France and Great Britain. Most nations in the world have been affected by imperialism, both for good and for bad.

Great Britain was especially powerful as an empire builder. The map to the left shows the British Empire in 1897. British colonies can be seen in pink. At its height, the British Empire stretched over one-quarter of Earth and encompassed a third of its population, resulting in the largest empire in history.

God, Gold, and Glory: Sometimes the main reasons behind imperialism are called "God, Gold, and Glory", meaning religious reasons, economic reasons, and political reasons.

Religious and Social Reasons: Christian missionaries were convinced that people in other lands would prosper or be more civilized if they learned European ways and adopted Christian beliefs.
Economic Reasons: Nations competed for riches. The first Europeans were looking for a passage to India to obtain spices to buy and sell. They soon thought they could obtain gold in the new world. By controlling another region, a European nation could gain access to its natural resources and could, in turn, sell products back to the people. Slavery was another important way for nations to gain wealth.
Political Reasons: From the 15th Century onward, European nations were competing for power and prestige. By controlling overseas territories, nations could gain power. Military strategies had a role in empire building as nations extended their local hostilities to foreign areas. For instance, France and Great Britain were involved in a power struggle in Europe, and they fought to control Canada as a result.

No matter our ancestry, we are all living with the consequences or legacies of imperialism.