Compare the Western expansion of the 15th and 16th centuries with the period of Western imperialism and colonialism (1880s-1914).

In Brief:

The Western Expansion of the 15th and 16th centuries is what historians often refer to as the Golden Age of Exploration. Beginning with Columbus’ “discovery” of the West Indies in 1492, and buffered by subsequent exploration of the New World, European expansion began on an unprecedented level. European powers including Russia, jockeyed for supremacy in the Caribbean and throughout the Americas.

The period of Western imperialism and colonialism (1880’s-1914) marks the second great age of European expansion. With most of their new world territories lost or liberated, Europe turned to Asia and Africa for new colonies, economic ports and strategic military outposts. Africa was completely divided up by European powers and exploited for the good of the motherland. Asia was often more discreetly controlled, and influence was frequently substituted for direct rule.

Thesis:

Europe’s appetite for expansion and strategic world position was championed from the dawn of Western expansion (the 15th and 16th centuries) through the period of Western imperialism (1880’s – 1914). While the two periods of colonialism were marked by shared economic and military purposes, they were clearly separated by different motivating factors and means of rule. Ultimately, Europe’s movements of expansion were both highly comparable, and distinctly separated.

Overview:

• The Western Expansion of the 15th and 16th centuries is what historians often refer to as the Golden Age of Exploration.
• Initiated with Columbus in 1492, followed by Portuguese, French, Dutch Exploration and Colonization.
• The period of Western imperialism and colonialism (1880’s-1914) marks the second great age of European expansion
• With most of their new world territories lost or liberated, Europe turned to Asia and Africa for new colonies, economic ports and strategic military outposts.
• Africa was completely divided up by European powers and exploited for the good
  of the motherland. Asia was often more discreetly controlled, and influence was
  frequently substituted for direct rule.

Compare:

• Motivated by extension of European rivalry and desire for hegemony
  Inspired primarily by desire to improve economic systems, and to instill military footholds abroad.
• Both the early and late periods of expansion sought to continue the European balance of power. If one country developed too large a colonial outpost, war might begin. (E.G. Seven Years War, French & Indian)
• Both periods had agricultural benefits and created new markets for the homeland. (called the Columbian Expansion in 15th/16th century colonialism)
• Both featured general employment of the conquered native people as a work force for the colonial powers (though certain places, E.G. the American Colonies proved poor for such exploitation.)

Contrast

• Early phase motivated by Mercantilist theory, late phase motivated by notion of “White Man’s Burden”
• Early phase was followed by enormous exodus of European colonialists to the better life of a new world, late phase was hardly a mass exodus, and the distant locales of conquered territories were thought of as backwards countries with little future to offer.
• The Age of Imperialism featured a shift in venue; Asia and Africa replaced the liberated former colonies of the Americas.
• The period of settlement, expansion of colonization was notably different: Early European settlement took over a century to reach full fruition/ Later European Imperialism was viciously effective and equally short-lived (approx. 30 years 1880-1914)
• Later expansion substituted influence for direct rule (China split into ‘spheres of influence’)