Imperialism – as Marxists would define, ‘is a superior phase of capitalism’. The concept of imperialism goes way back to the ancient Roman Empire. It is a political system where rich and powerful nations dominate over other nations through religious, economic and military factors.

Imperialism and the industrial revolution are two sides of the same coin. Without the industrial revolution there would not have been such deep infiltration of colonies.

The 18^th c. was a transitional period because Europeans and Americans were expanding their political and military power. The Industrial revolution helped in the growth of the economy with the help of new technological discoveries like:

• New sea routes like the Suez canal made transportation easy
• Discoveries in the medical field to overcome deadly diseases like malaria, yellow fever, etc.
• Invention of electricity
• Easy communication through Telegraphs
• Introduction of steam-engines

Imperialists forced these new technologies on colonial people, rejected their traditional practices of agriculture and forced them to produce cash crops like coffee, indigo, cotton etc.

The Introduction of steam engines and the discovery of the Suez Canal helped in easy transportation of raw materials. Colonies were exploited for their resources and were turned into new markets to sell final products and goods.

Being more technologically advanced, western countries thought that it was their right to rule over others and make them civilized. As Rudyard Kipling says – “a white man`s burden is to civilize the barbarians.”  Colonized people were made to feel inferior about their own religion and culture. Imperialism was not only about ruling over regions but also ruling over people`s minds.