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Apuntes

Compiled by Tr Francisca AS LEVEL NOTES Empire and the emergence of world power 1. Definition of Imperialism: Imperialism refers to the policy or ideology of extending a nation's power and dominion, often through territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control over other countries.  European powers, and later the United States and Japan, sought to expand their empires during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Background (16th-18th century) ○ Find/exploit new trading opportunities ○ Mercantilism: economic system of trade  Increase wealth through trade at the expense of others  Aim: limit cost of imports & increase value of exports  Enables accumulation of gold & silver  New lucrative market for European goods  Eg. slave trade  Declined in 18th century Economic motives Political motives  Mercantilism was costly ○ Maintaining control over overseas possessions/protecting trade routes lost funds  Eg 1. Britain wars to maintain N. America  Able to retain Canada but forced to accept USA’s independence  Eg 2. Collapsing Spanish Empire in Latin America  Brazilian independence from Portugal 1827  New economic theories (Adam Smith circa ongoing Brit In...