imperialism
Imperialism is the practice by which powerful nations or peoples seek to extend and maintain control or influence over weaker nations (Freeman 2). Some people associate imperialism solely with the economic expansion of capitalist states, others reserve the term for European expansion after 1870. Imperialism and colonialism are similar in meaning and are often used interchangeably. However, there are distinctions between the two (Freeman 3). Colonialism usually implies formal political control including territorial annexation and loss of sovereignty (Jones 34). A sovereign state is one that is independent of all others. Imperialism refers more broadly to control or influence that is exercised either formally or informally, directly or indirectly, politically or economically (Jones 34). Throughout history imperialism has taken many forms. In the ancient world, imperialism manifested itself in a series of great empires that arose when one people, usually representing a particular civilization and religion attempted to dominate all others. Examples of this are the Empire of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire (Lernoux 12). Historically, the motivation of imperialism has a variety of reasons. These may be classified broad
The clergy converted the Native Americans to Hispanic Christian culture, became the principle educators in the colonies, and built hospitals and other charitable institutions (Fagg 23). The areas of Spanish settlement in the sixteenth century coincided with the boundaries of former Aztec and Inca empires. The Europeans also wanted to protect their missionaries in other lands, and to spread their values and moral beliefs (Searly 6). Religion is an important aspect of society. Partly because of their small numbers, but also for military and political reasons, Spaniards tended to concentrate their settlements within regions densely populated (Freeman 73). The Spanish divided South America into three main sections called Viceroyalties, and then further created smaller audiencias (a governing area with a high court) (Fagg 257). Economic explanations of imperialism are the most common. Pizarro had sent word that he wished only to pay respects to this triumphant Altahualpa (Searly 7). They imposed their language, culture, and institutions on the native peoples (Fagg 22). It has been estimated that over the century following the conquest the population in Mexico fell by ninety percent. When Pizarro reached Peru, he decided to take the boldest possible course: to take the small force he had deep into Peru and capture the Inca leader, Altahualpa. If a community or tribe came to believe that the Spaniards were not treating them in an acceptable manner, it might attempt to resist or rebel (Snyder 82). The governing areas chosen by the Spanish were largely based on the former native kingdoms of the Inca, Maya, and Aztec (Fagg 257). There remained vast areas in which there was scarcely any Spanish presence. Once the Spaniards gained control, the Indian people faced the choice of either collaborating with their conquerors or organizing rebellion to recover their former power.
Common topics in this essay:
Empire Lernoux,
Christianity Religion,
Aztecs Incas,
,
South America,
Aztec Inca,
Altahualpa Incas,
Spain Fagg,
Hispanic Christian,
Europeanized Fagg,
fagg 255,
south america,
sixteenth century,
fagg 27,
aztec inca,
searly 7,
spanish conquest,
fagg 257,
freeman 73,
fagg 129,
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Acceptance Essays
