European Race to Colonize the World

There were many factors that led European countries to dominate the race to colonize the world. One of the major factors is that Europe became industrialized quicker than other portions of the world. This thought then leads to the idea that with industrialization came an increase in wealth which also led to an increase in abilities to travel further from their homelands. 

Also, the effective use of gunpowder allowed Europeans in small numbers to be able to influence and control a larger, less equipped people. Another major factor was that Europeans dominated the seas and as kingdoms grew and monarchs searched for wealth, the desire to travel the seas to find this wealth led to increased knowledge of the seas, shipbuilding, and navigation.

One of the major factors in colonization was to spread Christianity around the world. This was a European endeavor as the whole of Europe in the early modern period was still powered by the Holy Roman Church. By sending missionaries to foreign nations, the goal was not only to convert civilizations that Europeans believed to be godless heathens, but to also expand each nations control of trade, gain increased wealth by integration with the indigenous, and to increase in size, ergo, increasing their nations power over other nations.

Europe dominated the colonization game over countries such as China and India because of a different endgame view of colonization and, more importantly, immediate threats to their homeland. China for example had initially went out on voyages to obtains goods and make a show of China’s power, however, they tended to come back with less than what it cost to send such costly journeys. Of even more importance, China became more concerned about Mongol threats by land than that from any overseas invader. China also held a very high perception of their country, that their country was vastly superior and other nations insignificant, that outside of China, the world was nothing but savages.

The impact of colonialism by Europeans powers was clearly a two edged sword. The Europeans indeed brought methods of technology with them with the ability to create a better manner of life for people they believed were heathens. However, along with that came diseases that indigenous people could not fight off, cultural differences resulting at times into armed conflict, slavery, disintegration of a civilizations heritage, religious practices and culture, and the introduction of a class system placing the Europeans at the top and the natives at the bottom.

The impact of European colonization is also responsible for the rapid rise in western ideals and influence across the globe that still exist to this day. This influence and impact is clearly in the eye of the beholder and could be debated until the end of time. One side of the equation would have us believe that it was negative in its impact, causing the dissolve of peoples and cultures. Others would argue that it facilitated the growth of a world market, industrialization and advances in medicine, health and sanitation. Ultimately, the march of time favored the Europeans, who took advantage of the times and resources they were dealt.