Arguments Against and in Support of European Imperialism

This article discusses the arguments for and against European imperialism. It covers the benefits of imperialism, the disadvantages of imperialism, and personal opinions on the topic.

Running head: ARGUMENTS AGAINST AND IN SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
ARGUMENTS AGAINST AND IN SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
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ARGUMENTS AGAINST AND IN SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
Arguments supporting Imperialism
Paul Beaulieu, in his work Colonialism and Modern Peoples (1891), spoke about the
need and benefits of imperialism. Beaulieu states that imperialism had been more like a task that
had been imposed on the civilized nations for centuries. He then categorizes the world into four
parts in terms of civilization (Beaulieu, 1891). The first is the Western civilization, which is
complete with everything. Second is different from the Western civilization but is composed of
coherent and stable societies like China and Japan. Third part is the one that is festered and that
has not been able to constitute itself, as a progressive and peaceful civilization like India and the
fourth is the savage civilization. Beaulieu states that the last two categories of civilization made
it mandatory for the civilized people to intervene (Beaulieu, 1891).
The author argues that imperialism provides an impetus – both financial and cultural – to
the colonized nations by giving a sharp incentive to the impoverished civilizations. Imperialism,
states Beaulieu, had resulted in the opening of novel sources of production, which has benefitted
not just the “mother country”, which he terms the imperialist nations, but also the countries
under colonialism (Fabri, 1879). The reason, states the author, is that the markets in those
countries had more scope for expansion and profit that were limited in the imperial countries
previously.
Friedrich Fabri, on the other hand, spoke about the advantages of imperialism from the
view of German colonization. Fabri, who was a Barmen Rhine Mission inspector in South West
Africa, realized that Germany, with all its industrial, commercial, agricultural and labor power
should embrace the idea of imperialism and colonize the deprived countries in order to develop it
even further. He advocates for imperialism stating that it would liberate Germany of all the

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bitterness, unfruitfulness, and disillusioned political squabbling. The reason he gives is that it
would rejuvenate the national spirit if Germany embarks on the mission to spread its culture
across the globe.
Fabri provides example of England being the superior country in terms of utilizing the
fruits of imperialism. The author states that Germany should learn from England the way to be
the most dominant nation without even having one-fourth of the man power that Germany has.
England managed to rule almost half the world through the strength and the skill it extracted
from its colonies. Fabri lastly argues in favor of imperialism stating that for Germany to renew
its position as the number one country in the world, it should give prominence to imperialism
and pay attention to its culture-mission (Fabri, 1879).
Arguments against Imperialism:
Anatole France, a French novelist, who was also an active participant in the French
socialist movement, brings forth arguments against imperialism in his work The Colonial Folly
(1904). As opposed to the view of Beaulieu and Fabri, France designates imperialism as the
worst form of civilization; he terms it as “the end of the line for civilization” (France, 1904). The
author raises questions about the benefits or profits of imperialism that France has had in over
seven centuries of colonialism. He raises doubts as to what profit would imperialism bring the
Frenchmen who seldom leave their own gardens. He states that all the colonies of France that
include Congo, Annam, Indochina, Guinea, Tonkin and even Algeria gave nothing to France
instead, benefitted other colonial powers.
Imperialism through colonial invasion aids the military in having promotions, awards and
pensions apart from the glory achieved by suppressing natives. Politicians, army contractors and

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ship-owners thrive but it gives nothing to the common citizens except the flattering thought that
imperialism would make other empires like Germany and Britain envious. The author believes
that with time, gradually, the French governments will understand the futility of imperialism
(France, 1904). The power-hungry governments will realize, through bitter and harsh experience
that imperialism could only mean danger and that it could only bring destruction and not
prosperity.
A British poet of the 19th century, Wilfried Blunt spoke harshly against the British
colonialism in his journals. The author mentions the glorious era of Queen Elizabeth when
Britain had no colonies, the era when Britain was the most respected nation. He calls imperialism
as the “gangrene” that has infected the British people and the habit of colonialism has
endangered their own liberty (Blunt, 1900). Blunt then writes about the views that other
Englishmen had about imperialism. George Wyndham was one such individual who despised
imperialism stating that there is nothing right or wrong about imperialism, it is all about the
interest. England and France both had interest to conquer the Nile (Africa) not because it was
right or wrong but because they had interest there.
Blunt writes, that the French, the English and the Dutch, fight for supremacy in Africa
and endanger the lives of the black people. He states that this fight for supremacy on another’s
land brings out the “sham philanthropy” of the English people (Blunt, 1900). The author points
out the shameless, mindless and brutal torture of the Chinese, the Africans and Philippines by the
imperial powers, which demonstrate that these Western nations never were Christians.
Imperialism has been a curse for the 19th century, states the author.
Personal opinion

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ARGUMENTS AGAINST AND IN SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
Imperialism has always been a curse for those who have been colonized in the past
centuries. The people of these countries have had to suffer unimaginable torture and brutality at
the hands of the colonial powers. Beaulieu and Fabri favored imperialism stating that it was
needed to civilize the savage worlds to make them civilized but it was not the case. The
imperialists became the savages by murdering, raping and torturing the vulnerable people. As
evident from the present state of affairs, imperialism did not have the desired results for the
European countries and its people.
England, which has been the torchbearer of imperialism, now lags behind several
developed countries in terms of economic growth, stability and superiority. The US, on the other
hand, has managed to become the most powerful nation today because of its approach towards
growth (Khiabany, 2016). Although it did engage in imperialism but it did not engage to a scale
as devastating as England, France and other European countries. The European countries and its
people must have taken a few lessons from the US and channeled their richness into something
creative and productive. The countries are still flourishing no doubt but that is due to the
liberation of imperial countries, which are providing new opportunities for the imperialists.
These opportunities include workforce, skills, raw materials, currency and so on (Drayton,
2013).
Therefore, it could be stated that imperialism was not good for the European countries
and its people because the approach they took was bad.

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References:
Beaulieu, P. (1891). Colonialism and Modern Peoples (4th ed.). Paris.
Blunt, W. (1900). “Poor, wicked nineteenth century—Farewell!”. My Diaries.
Drayton, R. (2013). Beyond humanitarian imperialism: The dubious origins of ‘Humanitarian
Intervention’and some rules for its future. In The History and Practice of Humanitarian
Intervention and Aid in Africa (pp. 217-231). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Fabri, F. (1879). Does Germany Need Colonies? (1st ed.). Gotha. (Fabri, 1879)
France, A. (1904). The Colonial Folly (1st ed.). (France, 1904)
Khiabany, G. (2016). Refugee crisis, imperialism and pitiless wars on the poor. Media, Culture
& Society, 38(5), 755-762.