According to Vasco de Gama, the main reason for imperialism was “Christians and Spices” (Duiker & Spielvogel, p. 663) By the end of the 19th century, however, the UK was using colonies to seize raw materials that could fuel it’s rapidly growing industrial sector. Oil, tin, and rubber were in particularly high demand. The remote locations, and poor economic standing of the base countries, provided the industrial sector of the UK with cheap raw materials.

Of course, glory was associated with imperialism. More territory meant that the

United Kingdom could exercise more control over global affairs, including trade negotiations. This influence would establish a permanent seat in any negotiation about territory, trade, or diplomatic policy. Control of these colonies was established through the formation of councils. This style of government was heavily promoted in India. Consuls worked directly with the Indian government to ensure that legislatio

n would benefit British interests. Lucrative magistrates were also set up in other colonies, such as the American cities. Magistrates merely relayed messages on the well being of the colonies back to London. Tax laws, and several other edicts from the legislative body, would then be relayed by back to the officials for processing. The two styles of governing were inherently inefficient in that direct control could not be applied to the citizens. As in the case with the American colonies, no official Member of Parliament was elected from the area to represent their views.

Britain’s power can be seen in several places, but it is especially noticeable in the House of Parliament. A giant wool sac sits in the middle of the House of Lords, representing the wealth that was built on the wool trade. Wool was especially important to Britain’s success as it laid the foundation for its eventual expansion into Asia and Africa. Another example of British power lies within the very architecture of the House of Commons itself. After the bombing of London during WWII, different territories of the British Empire sent materials to London in order for the structure to be rebuilt. Inside Parliament is a list of the different materials used to reconstruct the chamber.

Negative aspects of imperialism surfaced, however. The British industrial and trading sectors exploited many of the workers that collected the raw materials needed for Britain’s industrial machine.

Some topics in this essay:
River Valley, London Tax, Boxer Rebellion, Duiker Spielvogel, United Kingdom, REH Dyer, Indian African, India Company, Empress India, , raw materials, east india company, east india, india company, incursion debt, queen victoria, industrial sector, main reason, french indian, united kingdom, asia africa,