Question

• Do gains in financial and material wealth provide a premise for physical conquest, such as in the form of Colonialism or Imperialism?

Answer 1

Colonialism is the practice by which a powerful country directly controls less powerful countries and uses their resources to increase its own power and wealth. Colonialism is the policy of a nation seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance. The colonising country seeks to benefit from the colonised country or land mass. In the process, colonisers impose their religion, economics, and medicinal practices on the natives. Colonialism is the relationship of domination of indigenous by foreign invaders where the latter rule in pursuit of their interests.

Imperialism, state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas. Imperialism is a policy or ideology of extending a country's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control of other areas.

Imperial governments sought ways to maximize profits. Economic expansion demanded cheap labor, access to or control of markets to sell or buy products, and natural resources such as precious metals and land; governments have met these demands by hook (tribute) or by crook (plunder). The reasons for colonisation are mainly economic, political and religious.

It is clear from the above that the motive of both the Colonialism and Imperialism are mainly economical. In both the cases economically strong group controls or rules the weaker group for their economical interests. Both the situations are compulsive but not optional.