Imperialism

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===Japan===
 
===Japan===
 
{{cquote|All the World under one Roof}}
 
{{cquote|All the World under one Roof}}
[[Japan]] joined the empire game relatively late, but nonetheless managed to acquire a sizable one. Initially an absolute monarchy, then a constitutional monarchy, it eventually spiraled into [[fascism]]. Like the Russian empire, the Japanese Empire had the emperor play a spiritual role. Unlike the Russians however, the Emperor was worshiped. [[World War II|This caused some trouble later]].
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[[Japan]] joined the empire game relatively late, but nonetheless managed to acquire a sizable one. Initially an absolute monarchy, then a constitutional monarchy, it eventually spiraled into [[fascism]]. Like the Russian empire, the Japanese Empire had the emperor play a spiritual role. Unlike the Russians however, the Emperor was worshipped. [[World War II|This caused some trouble later]].
 
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Revision as of 19:23, 13 January 2013

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Imperialism is the creation of an empire, typically through military or economic domination. The word conjures up the image of the British Empire, upon which "the sun never set". Imperialism has been a central component in the political organization of the globe for much of human history; ancient polities like the Romans and the Persians, and modern states including France, Germany, Japan, and the United States have created empires.

Contents

British Empire

See the main article on this topic: British Empire

The British Empire was a massive Juggernaut than spanned across the world. Starting with the colonization of America it lasted until 1997. At the height of the Empire its image was that of mustachioed men wearing silly white helmets and sipping tea while the dark-skinned people did all the hard work.

American Imperialism

Historical

Americans wore really stupid hats during this era

While America stayed out of Africa, they did engage in Imperialist behavior. The Spanish American War was effectively an excuse to exert power over the Caribbean. While many Americans at the time were isolationist, the US engaged in such actions as the Open Door policy, as well as sending the Great White Fleet around the world as a show of power.[1] During the cold war, the US felt the need to poke their nose in everyone's business fight the spectre of Communism. They accomplished this goal by intervening in other nation's civil wars and basing troops in countries, ostensibly for their protection. This meant that America had a military presence world wide, just in case someone acted up.

Recent efforts

See the main article on this topic: Neoconservatism

After the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States was left as the worlds sole superpower. Neoconservatives formulated a new foreign policy focused on maintaining America's super power status by preventing any hostile power from dominating a region whose resources would make them a viable threat. [2]

Other countries

Japan

All the World under one Roof

Japan joined the empire game relatively late, but nonetheless managed to acquire a sizable one. Initially an absolute monarchy, then a constitutional monarchy, it eventually spiraled into fascism. Like the Russian empire, the Japanese Empire had the emperor play a spiritual role. Unlike the Russians however, the Emperor was worshipped. This caused some trouble later.

Russia

Nicolas II, last Emperor of Russia. Also, owner of an awesome mustache
"Autocracy, Orthodoxy, and Respect to the People"
—Maxim of Alexander III[3]

Tsarist Russia had ambitions in Asia, Africa already having been taken. They attempted to gain control of Manchuria and Korea, unfortunately for them, they came in conflict with the Japanese Empire. Russia suffered a humiliating defeat, losing much of their navy while Japan demonstrated the effectiveness of machine guns of mass infantry. The Russian Empire was a autocracy with a sizable theocratic element. Unlike the aforementioned Japanese Empire, the czar was "merely" head of the church and answered only to God rather than be worshiped himself. It didn't end well.

Germany

Holy Roman Empire

This one Lasted a bit long (900 ish years) but didn't colonize overseas. The 2nd head of the eagle you see on the coat of arms is grown circa 1440.

The German Empire

The German empire didn't last long, from unification to collapse was a mere 47 years. And then, nothing further happened. It followed the same Nationalism-Colonialism stance of the others, but got into the game late getting only some bits of Africa and a few islands in the pacific.

See also

Footnotes

  1. Navies were like the nuclear missiles of the day, everyone had to have the biggest and fanciest.
  2. McGowan, J. (2007). "Neoconservatism". American Liberalism: An Interpretation for Our Time. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. pp. 124–133. ISBN 0-807-83171-9.
  3. Well, he got 2 of three
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