reasons for support for imperial expansion

Question 1

what were the reasons of domestic support for overseas expansion in Britain

Answer 1

-They believed that empire was a symbol of national pride and power

• Educational influence, schools encouraged national pride and loyalty by displaying maps of the british empire in classes
• British citizens believed that Britain’s were heroes and were fighting against savages to civilize them
• Media influence , newspapers shaped public option in favor of overseas expansion, by exaggerating and reinforcing belief in european racial superiority and encouraged nationalistic feelings.
• They believed that since Britain banned slavery in 1807 , it was their duty to free slaves and end the practice in africa.

Question 2

reasons for support of overseas expansion in france

Answer 2

• French pride was damaged by the defeat in the Franco-prussian war of 1870-71 and gaining overseas possessions was seen as a way of restoring french prestige
• They believed the french were helping people. they believed that france was bringing christianity , civilization and french culture to savages.
• They believed that imperialism would increase the wealth of france allowing it to solve the social and economic problems of the lower class
• They believed that them the ‘superior race’ had the right to civilize the ‘inferior races’

Question 3

reasons for the domestic support of imperialism in germany (why did german citizens support imperialism)

Answer 3

• German businessman believed that they would gain benefits from access to new markets and raw materials
• Germany missionaries justified/supported imperialism because they believed it brought christianity to ‘heathen’ populations.
• media influence, nationalism and germans responsibility to extend its influence to foreign lands were promoted in newspapers