In 3–5 sentences, make a connection between industrialization in Europe and renewed European efforts at colonization, including two elements of continuity and two elements of change.

1 answer

Industrialization in Europe played a significant role in renewed European efforts at colonization. Firstly, the industrial revolution increased the demand for raw materials, leading European powers to seek new territories for resource extraction, such as Africa and Asia. Secondly, industrialization also fueled the need for new markets to sell the manufactured goods, thereby motivating European powers to expand their colonial territories.

In terms of continuity, the desire for economic exploitation remained a constant element. European powers continued their colonization efforts with the aim of extracting valuable resources and establishing profitable trading networks in the newly acquired territories. Additionally, the belief in the superiority of European culture and the mission to "civilize" indigenous populations remained ingrained in European colonial practices.

However, there were also significant changes in European colonization efforts due to industrialization. Firstly, the scale of colonization expanded exponentially as the advances in transportation and communication facilitated European powers to establish colonies in distant lands more efficiently. Secondly, the nature of colonization began to shift from mere resource exploitation to a more direct control over territories, including the imposition of political control and cultural assimilation. This change was driven by the need to secure and protect investments in colonies, as well as to maintain a strategic advantage in the global balance of power.