The imperialism of the 20th century tells how a few nations decided to take everything they could. Discover who won, who lost, and who overdid it with their slice of the cake.
Empires on Sale: How to Snatch a Continent
In the 20th century, imperialism became a kind of global trend. Or rather, it was the favorite pastime of major powers: France, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Italy — they all wanted a piece of the world. And why not? After all, it was the era when stealing land wasn’t just allowed; it was encouraged. Under the guise of bringing “civilization” to populations that were doing just fine on their own, European nations embarked on a competition to see who could conquer the most territories. It was a bit like playing Monopoly, but without the rules.
Picture the leaders of these nations as stamp collectors, except instead of stamps, they were after entire continents. And the game was simple: show up, take what you want, plant your flag, and then head back home to boast to your fellow monarchs. Easy, right? Well, not exactly. The problem was that these lands weren’t exactly uninhabited. And so, between wars, massacres, and phony treaties, imperialism left an indelible mark on history. But hey, at least they built some railways, right?
Land-Grabbing: A Practical Guide to Imperialism
Imperialism wasn’t just about “who has the most cannons.” Sure, those helped, but there was also a psychological aspect: convincing others that you were doing them a favor. “We’re bringing civilization,” they said, while stealing gold, natural resources, and, why not, people. The major empires of the time, like the British Empire, had a real obsession with expansion. The more land they had, the more important they felt. It was a bit like collecting trading cards, only the cards were entire nations.
Take the case of Africa: within a few years, nearly the entire continent was carved up between European powers as if it were a birthday cake. Belgium, with its tiny sliver of land in Europe, managed to snatch the Congo, a country a hundred times bigger than itself. How? Well, through a mix of violence, deception, and the belief that no one would ask too many questions. And for a while, they were right.
India: The Jewel in the British Crown
Then there’s India, the jewel of the British Empire. A country so vast and rich that, at some point, the British thought: “Well, we can’t exactly let the Indians manage it, can we?” And so, with a mix of arrogance and bureaucracy, India became a colony meant to serve the interests of the Crown. The British brought railways, sure, but also famine, poverty, and a long string of revolts. Yet, for some reason, they continued to see the whole endeavor as a “noble effort.”
The Dates That Changed Everything
The Berlin Conference
Imagine an exclusive party where European leaders gather to decide who gets which part of Africa. No, the Africans weren’t invited.
The Boer War
The British and Dutch settlers fight over who gets to best exploit South Africa’s resources. Spoiler: the British win.
World War I
Imperialism wasn’t just about far-off colonies. Rivalries between European powers exploded into a war that involved the whole world. And many colonies found themselves fighting for their overlords.
Indian Independence
After years of struggle, Mahatma Gandhi and other Indian leaders finally succeed in shaking off British rule. The British pack their bags but not without leaving behind a nice dose of political division..
The Year of Africa
1960 is known as the “Year of Africa” because 17 African nations gained independence. European flags came down, but the consequences of imperialism remained.
Imperialism: A Lesson Unlearned
Imperialism was a failure disguised as a success. European powers spent decades plundering the world, convinced they were doing the right thing. And yet, in the end, nearly all the colonies rebelled. And who can blame them? Imagine someone walking into your house, rearranging your furniture, eating from your fridge, and then telling you they’re doing it for your own good. That, in a nutshell, was imperialism.
Despite their best intentions (or so they claimed), the empires left behind a legacy of conflict, poverty, and division. But hey, at least they tried, right? Today, we look back at that period with a sort of incredulity: how could it have happened? And yet, even though the empires have crumbled, the idea of dominating others has never truly disappeared. Imperialism has just changed form. But that, as they say, is another story.
Perché te lo consiglio
Te lo consiglio perché l’imperialismo è come un’enorme commedia sugli errori umani. È la storia di nazioni convinte di fare la cosa giusta, quando in realtà stavano solo dimostrando quanto possano essere egoiste e miope.
Perché non te lo consiglio
Non te lo consiglio perché è una storia di sofferenza e sfruttamento, dove la cupidigia umana ha prevalso su qualsiasi senso di giustizia. Se ti disturba pensare a come poche persone hanno causato dolore a milioni, potresti trovare questo argomento indigesto.
Why I recommend IT
I recommend it because imperialism is like a giant comedy of human errors. It’s the story of nations convinced they were doing the right thing, when in reality they were only proving how selfish and short-sighted humans can be.
Why I Don't Recommend IT
I don’t recommend it because it’s a story of suffering and exploitation, where human greed triumphed over any sense of justice. If it bothers you to think about how a few people caused pain to millions, this topic might be a tough pill to swallow.
