Arguments Against and in Support of European Imperialism

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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ARGUMENTS AGAINST AND IN SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM
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