The Expansion Of A Nation State Beyond The World - 1389 Words

As Europe climbs into a semi-peaceful time, many powers look for a way to expand their names beyond their claimed territories. Splicing through the 1850’s and beyond European powers spread through Africa, Australia, China, America, Japan and anywhere they could find a resource to be exploited. Many great discoveries and advances appeared due to these colonization’s and expeditions, scientifically and historically. Imperialism is the expansion of a nation state beyond their position, whether it be through military, political or economic powers. This idea spread throughout Europe and sparked the expansion into many countries that neither were expecting it or even welcomed it. The motives that fueled the spark of colonization were economic,†¦show more content†¦As countries settled in unknown places, learning about the plants, wildlife, and lands made them more powerful than the countries who did not settle there. They were able to hold that information over their enemies. Notably, the French are known for their geographical influences in their colonies and explorations. The French colonization in Mexico is a major area they gained power. The many explorations and documentation the French scientists massed are invaluable knowledge then and now. Scientists such as Alexander von Humboldt and Henri de Saussure paved the way for many more to document the lavish lands of Mexico. However, thei r work was deterred by off limit areas and questions of legitimacy in their findings. These geographical advances made it possible for the French to publish volumes of scholar level information. This, for any country, is an area that can hold much power. Geographical influences prevailed throughout Africa with many different European powers claiming her. In the early days of European colonization Africa was seen as a purely territorial and prestigious land to settle. The idea was to take her before anyone else did. This gave way to much geographical reasoning for colonization. In the words of historian George N. Sanderson, â€Å"Until the 1870’s, Africa as a whole had been a purely geographical concept, of no practical relevance to the European politicians and merchants concerned with the continent.† (2008,