European Imperialism: Impact On The World

Jordan Shiber Pd. 5 European Imperialism in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia had a more positive impact on the world. The three main reasons I say this is one, Europeans truly thought they were doing good by imposing on other countries. They thought buy bringing in new cultures and traditions the country would be better off and it would benefit them and the country there are imposing on because both countries would be together and the country taking them over would have new and useful resources and the country being taken over would be a part of the European success and gain new ideas and a way of life.
Jules Ferry said, “something else is needed for France:…that she must also be a great country exercising all of her rightful influence over the destiny of Europe, that she ought to propagate this influence throughout the world and carry everywhere that she can her language, her customs, her flag, her arms, and her genius”. (Beck 351) This translates to basically the definition of assimilation, or influencing a country using your customs, traditions, and way of life.
Second, European countries were more modernized than African countries so by invading they are helping to modernize Africa. Just look at Africa today compared to back then especially South Africa, they are extremely modernized other than the desert parts. Lastly, the invasion of European countries gave the Africans more job opportunities which helped their economy. Before I get into the individual countries positive affects, think about Social Darwinism or basically survival of the fittest.

If a country is too weak to defend itself and another country can take it over and successfully run the country, they should be able to without any complaints. To start off, the Europeans thought that they were actually good by invading Africa and imposing their ideas on them. They thought by bringing in new ideas and traditions it would actually benefit the Africans. Also, really good infrastructure was built throughout Africa. Next, Africa and other places werent as modernized as Europe. Africans decided they had to adjust to the modern world or be consumed by it.
The invasion of Europeans basically influenced them to change and become more like the rest of the world. In 1831, Muhammad Ali gained control of Syria and Arabia. He began a series of reforms in the military and in the economy. The Suez Canal’s construction was supported by his grandson, Ismail. The European influenced is what caused this canal to be built along with any other reform in Egypt. Egypt wanted to basically show their dominance by gaining power. This is a positive effect because other countries are starting to make themselves stronger.
The final reason that European imperialism had a more positive impact on the world was that it gave out more job opportunities to those being invaded and helped the countries econmy and its way of life. Some examples of job created due to the invasion are servants,labourers on infrastructure projects, and soldiers in colonial armies. Also, local warfare was reduced and new hospitals and schools were provided. Another thing is richer families could send their children or even themselves to Europe so they could get a way better education.
To conclude European Imperialism in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, I would say it had a more positive effect. Europeans thought they were doing something good by imposing on other countries. They thought it was a good idea to bring in their way of life and influence the other people. Second, imperialism in Africa influenced some countries so not just sit back and let it be but to show their power and dominance. Lastly, imperialism created more job opportunities and helped out the country itself.
Dadabhi Naoroji said “The genius and spirit of the British people is fair play and justice”. (Beck 351) This means is was okay for the British to do what they are doing. This is how European Imperialism in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia had a more positive impact on the world. MLA Citations: Beck, Roger B. Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. Fieldhouse, David K. “Western Imperialism in the Middle East, 1914A? A? A? 1958. ” Western Imperialism in the Middle East, 1914A? A? A? 1958. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.