Global empire

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Global Empire (German language: Weltreich, Dutch language: Wereldrijk) is the concept of imperial domination of the world or the world, belonging to the super imperialist category, often a mighty country with a vast and influential territory around the world. "Global" or "world" means that the territory under its sovereignty is spread throughout the world. The basic criterion is that when sailing in the world, the territory from the westernmost point to the easternmost point must be at least one half of the world perimeter (about 20,000 km, or 12,400 miles), "global" means Empire must pass at least 180 degrees longitude and at least 90 degrees latitude. For example, since the territory of the Spanish Empire was extended all over the world, it was often called the "Empire of the Sun" (in the 16th century). This claim was later applied to the British Empire (in the late 19th century).

A territory is an administrative division, usually an area that is under the jurisdiction of a state. In most countries, a territory is an organized land controlled division of an area that is controlled by a country but is not formally developed into, or incorporated into, a political unit of the country that is of equal status to other political units that may often be referred to by words such as "provinces" or "states". In international politics, a territory is usually a non-sovereign geographic area which has come under the authority of another government; which has not been granted the powers of self-government normally devolved to secondary territorial divisions; or both.

World Earth and all life upon it, including human civilization

The world is the planet Earth and all life on it, including human civilization. In a philosophical context, the "world" is the whole of the physical Universe, or an ontological world. In a theological context, the world is the material or the profane sphere, as opposed to the celestial, spiritual, transcendent or sacred spheres. "End of the world" scenarios refer to the end of human history, often in religious contexts.

Spanish Empire world empire from the 16th to the 19th century

The Spanish Empire, historically known as the Hispanic Monarchy and as the Catholic Monarchy, was one of the largest empires in history. From the late 15th century to the early 19th, Spain controlled a huge overseas territory in the New World, the Asian archipelago of the Philippines, what they called "The Indies" and territories in Europe, Africa and Oceania. The Spanish Empire has been described as the first global empire in history, a description also given to the Portuguese Empire. It was one of the empires described as the most powerful of the 16th and 17th centuries. The Spanish Empire became known as "the empire on which the sun never sets" and reached its maximum extension in the 18th century.

Contents

Characteristics

In the history of the world there existed many empires, but no empire ever dominated the entire world, the British Empire was recorded as the largest empire in history also accounted for only 1/4 surface of the world. [1] [2] [3] [4] The fundamental cause is that no nation with sufficient population and military potential can help it conquer and dominate all the land on Earth. Even today, China with the world's largest population, about 1.5 billion people, [5] also accounts for only one-fifth of the world's population. It is the demographic limitation that is almost throughout history that even the most populous countries can not occupy the entire world. The concept of global imperialism, therefore, is a concept that does not emphasize the sovereignty of the whole world, but dominates part of the world, but must necessarily spread in space. In addition, the concept of global imperialism underscores the aspect of influence, empires that are considered global imperatives to excel in influencing world politics against all other nations, and that influence must be widespread.

British Empire States and dominions ruled by the United Kingdom

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It originated with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23% of the world population at the time, and by 1920, it covered 35,500,000 km2 (13,700,000 sq mi), 24% of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, legal, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, the phrase "the empire on which the sun never sets" was often used to describe the British Empire, because its expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.

Dominate "despotic" phase of government in the ancient Roman Empire from the conclusion of the Third Century Crisis of 235–284 until the formal date of the collapse of the Western Empire in AD 476

The Dominate or late Roman Empire is the name sometimes given to the "despotic" later phase of imperial government, following the earlier period known as the "Principate", in the ancient Roman Empire. This phase is more often called the Tetrarchy at least until 313 when the empire was reunited.

Earth Third planet from the Sun in the Solar System

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. According to radiometric dating and other sources of evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago. Earth's gravity interacts with other objects in space, especially the Sun and the Moon, which is Earth's only natural satellite. Earth orbits around the Sun in 365.26 days, a period known as an Earth year. During this time, Earth rotates about its axis about 366.26 times.

Typically, the territory of the British Empire is considered, although it occupies only one-fourth of the world's surface, but British colonial territories are on every continent, from Europe to Asia, Africa, America and Oceania, the British empire has spread in a global sphere of coverage. Strategic colonies (Gibraltar, Cape Town, Suez, Singapore, Hong Kong...) became a naval base, a logistical base linking the imperial network, helping Britain to protect the colonies. The rapid deployment of military forces throughout the commercial maritime routes, the basis for the strong presence of the Royal Navy, ensured the prosperity of the British Empire. In addition, Britain exerted global power by manipulating the entire South American and Qing trade.

Europe Continent in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere

Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Asia to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It comprises the westernmost part of Eurasia.

Asia Earths largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres

Asia is Earth's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres. It shares the continental landmass of Eurasia with the continent of Europe and the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with both Europe and Africa. Asia covers an area of 44,579,000 square kilometres (17,212,000 sq mi), about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area. The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the human population, was the site of many of the first civilizations. Asia is notable for not only its overall large size and population, but also dense and large settlements, as well as vast barely populated regions. Its 4.5 billion people constitute roughly 60% of the world's population.

Africa The second largest and second most-populous continent, mostly in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent. At about 30.3 million km2 including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With 1.3 billion people as of 2018, it accounts for about 16% of the world's human population. The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The continent includes Madagascar and various archipelagos. It contains 54 fully recognised sovereign states (countries), nine territories and two de facto independent states with limited or no recognition. The majority of the continent and its countries are in the Northern Hemisphere, with a substantial portion and number of countries in the Southern Hemisphere.

One prominent element of the global empire in terms of influence is the ability to use force on a wide range of the world. An empire is usually built not by the free will of many nations, but through conquest. Global imperialism is indispensable for violence. It needs a mighty military force, and the force must focus on naval and air power with superior logistics, transport and information capabilities. This gave the empire the ability to carry out combat on all continents in any situation where the emergence of a hostile force emerged.

History

The empires were considered the first global empires in world history were the Portuguese Empire and Spanish Empire in general sense. Between 1498 and 1580, Portugal with a large fleet established a maritime network around the world, with forts, factories or trading posts on the five continents. From Europe, South America and Africa to the Indian Ocean reaching out to China, East Timor and Japan. The Portuguese empire was a network of thousands of km long connecting land, land rented or simply commercial. Through that system, Portugal dominated the spice trade from the East to Europe, gaining a lot of profits and becoming prosperous. Portugal, due to the small population weakness, did not give them a military advantage, so they often used tricks to build their businesses, often using force only to fight when trade was threatened.

Portuguese Empire Global empire centered in Portugal

The Portuguese Empire, also known as the Portuguese Overseas or the Portuguese Colonial Empire, was composed of the overseas colonies and territories governed by Portugal. One of the longest-lived empires in world history, it existed for almost six centuries, from the capture of Ceuta in 1415, to the handover of Portuguese Macau to China in 1999. The empire began in the 15th century, and from the early 16th century it stretched across the globe, with bases in North and South America, Africa, and various regions of Asia and Oceania. The Portuguese Empire has been described as the first global empire in history.

The Spanish empire built a more empirical empire by occupying vast territories on many continents. In 1522, Spanish troops landed in Mexico, in 1565 they brought troops to the Philippines. This is because Spain´s wealth was based on farming, cattle, minery and trade, which required land, rather than just trading as the Portuguese.

Newer forces emerge as global imperialists, the Dutch empire, which resembles Portugal in the construction of commercial empire. But due to political and religious differences, the Dutch regime was republican, opposed to monarchist values and they were Protestant against Roman Catholicism, so the war often took place between the Netherlands and Portugal, Spain. During the 17th century, the Netherlands was the most prosperous country in Europe with the largest naval and navy fleet. The rise of the Netherlands and the ongoing wars with many European countries finally led to both Spain and Portugal degrading. But the Dutch global power also came to an end before the rise of France and Britain. The British beat the Dutch out of North America, British capitalism emerged competing undermining the Netherlands. Under Louis XIV of France, 200,000 French troops overran the Netherlands, wars devastated and the Netherlands lost its golden age.

France emerged to build its first global strength in the seventeenth century through the conquest of the central plains of North America but failed in the Seven Years' War, causing France to be expelled by the British colonies. By the time Napoleon came to power in 1799, France attempted to conquer Europe, making a large-scale war with Britain once again, and at the same time Napoleon sought to conquer the entire world. He lost his last battle at the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815, ending his efforts to rule Europe and the world of France. France in the industrial age of the late 19th century tried to rebuild its own global empire but the most glorious period that France had under Napoleon I had never been able to regain. Rather, it is the second-largest power behind Britain, a close ally, like the case of a close British ally next to the United States.

Global hegemony failed

In addition to the global empires that have existed since the early 16th century, at the end of the 19th century and early twentieth century, Germany reunited and Japan re-established sovereignty, the two countries attempted to build their empire. Hitler's new European conqueror after Napoleon frankly expressed his intention to conquer the world. [6] Japan also conducted military adventures to occupy the world. In 1927, Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi submitted to the Emperor 4-step world hegemony: Step 1, taking over Manchuria. Step 2, occupy China. Step 3, occupy Asia. Step 4, take over the world. The last military adventures led to catastrophic defeat for both countries, Nazi Germany and Japanese imperialism collapsed in 1945.

In his book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: Nazi History, William Lawrence Shirer emphasized in the afterword ("The World after 1945") that in the era of nuclear weapons, the emergence of a Hitler-style conqueror is impossible, and that, hence, Hitler was the last conqueror in history.

Global imperialism today

The period of imperialism ended, but the new imperialism was quickly replaced, and the characteristics of the new global empire were imperialist states that no longer occupied the land as centuries. In the past, they have penetrated the global market, exploited and scrounged resources, seized the economy, manipulated the politics of small nations in the continent. Western imperialism is now hiding privately through transnational corporations. They use force when necessary when their rights are violated. So the concept of global imperialism is probably no longer accurate, but rather the concept of "global hegemony" or "hegemonic world."

Zygmunt Bauman, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Leeds, concludes that because of the size of the world, the new empire can not be mapped: "The new empire is not an entity that can be drawn on. Mapping an imperial map would be a nonsense because the most visible "empire" feature of the new empire was to observe and treat the entire planet as a land potential utilization..." [7]

The United States today stands out in the Western world but continually denies itself as an empire, but the media recognizes the United States as a superpower and a hegemon. The United States maintains a system of military bases throughout the globe that provides the basis for the rapid deployment of military forces, protecting the economic system, and preventing threats to security and prosperity the United States.

Kenneth Pomeranz and Harvard historian Niall Ferguson share the view: "With US military bases in more than 120 countries, we hardly see the end of the empire. This vast archipelago of US military bases outstripped ambitions in the 19th century of the British Empire, although they had many colonies, the American imperial vision was much more global..." [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

Colony Territory under the political control of an overseas state, generally with its own subordinate colonial government

In history, a colony is a territory under the immediate complete political control and occupied by settlers of a state, distinct from the home territory of the sovereign. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception.

Colonialism creation and maintenance of colonies by people from another territory

Colonialism is the policy of a nation seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance. The colonising country seeks to benefit from the colonised country or land mass. In the process, colonisers impose their religion, economics, and medicinal practices on the natives. Colonialism is the relationship of domination of indigenous by foreign invaders where the latter rule in pursuit of their interests.

Imperialism Policy or ideology of extending a nations rule over foreign nations

Imperialism is a policy or ideology of extending a country's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control of other areas. Imperialism was both normal and common worldwide throughout recorded history, the earliest examples dating from the mid-third millennium BC. In recent times, it has been considered morally reprehensible and prohibited by international law. Therefore, the term is used in international propaganda to denounce an opponent's foreign policy.

Western imperialism in Asia

Western imperialism in Asia as presented in this article pertains to Western European entry into what was first called the East Indies. This was sparked early in the 15th century by the search for trade routes to China that led directly to the Age of Discovery, and the introduction of early modern warfare into what was then called the Far East. By the early 16th century the Age of Sail greatly expanded Western European influence and development of the Spice Trade under colonialism. There has been a presence of Western European colonial empires and imperialism in Asia throughout six centuries of colonialism, formally ending with the independence of the Portuguese Empire's last colony East Timor in 2002. The empires introduced Western concepts of nation and the multinational state. This article attempts to outline the consequent development of the Western concept of the nation state.

Hegemony political, economic, or military predominance or control of one state over others

Hegemony is the political, economic, or military predominance or control of one state over others. In ancient Greece, hegemony denoted the politico-military dominance of a city-state over other city-states. The dominant state is known as the hegemon. In the 19th century, hegemony came to denote the "Social or cultural predominance or ascendancy; predominance by one group within a society or milieu". Later, it could be used to mean "a group or regime which exerts undue influence within a society". Also, it could be used for the geopolitical and the cultural predominance of one country over others, from which was derived hegemonism, as in the idea that the Great Powers meant to establish European hegemony over Asia and Africa.

New Imperialism period of colonial expansion by European powers, the United States and the Empire of Japan

In historical contexts, New Imperialism characterizes a period of colonial expansion by European powers, the United States, and Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The period featured an unprecedented pursuit of overseas territorial acquisitions. At the time, states focused on building their empires with new technological advances and developments, expanding their territory through conquest, and exploiting the resources of the subjugated countries. During the era of New Imperialism, the Western powers individually conquered almost all of Africa and parts of Asia. The new wave of imperialism reflected ongoing rivalries among the great powers, the economic desire for new resources and markets, and a "civilizing mission" ethos. Many of the colonies established during this era gained independence during the era of decolonization that followed World War II.

<i>Pax Britannica</i> Period of relative world peace under British hegemony

Pax Britannica was the period of relative peace between the Great Powers during which the British Empire became the global hegemonic power and adopted the role of a "global policeman".

American imperialism

American imperialism describes policies aimed at extending the political, economic, and cultural control of the United States over areas beyond its boundaries. Depending on the commentator, it may include military conquest, gunboat diplomacy, unequal treaties, subsidization of preferred factions, economic penetration through private companies followed by intervention when those interests are threatened, or regime change.

French colonial empire Set of territories that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s

The French colonial empire constituted the overseas colonies, protectorates and mandate territories that came under French rule from the 16th century onward. A distinction is generally made between the "first colonial empire," that existed until 1814, by which time most of it had been lost, and the "second colonial empire", which began with the conquest of Algiers in 1830. The second colonial empire came to an end after the loss in later wars of Indochina (1954) and Algeria (1962), and relatively peaceful decolonizations elsewhere after 1960.

Scramble for Africa Invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of Africa by European powers

The Scramble for Africa, also called the Partition of Africa or the Conquest of Africa, was the invasion, occupation, division, and colonisation of African territory by European powers during the period known to historians as the New Imperialism. In 1870, only 10 percent of Africa was under formal European control; by 1914 it had increased to almost 90 percent of the continent, with only Ethiopia (Abyssinia), the Dervish state and Liberia still being independent. There were multiple motivations for European colonizers, including desire for valuable resources available throughout the continent, the quest for national prestige, tensions between pairs of European powers, religious missionary zeal and internal African native politics.

Berlin Conference international conference that regulated European colonisation and trade in Africa

The Berlin Conference of 1884–85, also known as the Congo Conference or West Africa Conference, regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period and coincided with Germany's sudden emergence as an imperial power. The conference was organized by Otto von Bismarck, first Chancellor of Germany; its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa, although some scholars of history warn against an overemphasis of its role in the colonial partitioning of Africa, drawing attention to bilateral agreements concluded before and after the conference. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity by European powers, which eliminated or overrode most existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance.

Decolonization or Decolonisation is the undoing of colonialism, the latter being the process whereby a nation establishes and maintains its domination on overseas territories. The concept particularly applies to the dismantlement, during the second half of the 20th century, of the colonial empires established prior to World War I throughout the world. Scholars focus especially on the movements in the colonies demanding independence, such as Creole nationalism.

Dutch Empire Overseas territories controlled by the Dutch Republic and, later, the modern Netherlands from the 17th century to the mid-1950s

The Dutch colonial empire comprised the overseas territories and trading posts controlled and administered by Dutch chartered companies and subsequently by the Dutch Republic (1581–1795), and by the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands after 1815. It was initially a trade-based system which derived most of its influence from merchant enterprise and from Dutch control of international maritime shipping routes through strategically placed outposts, rather than from expansive territorial ventures. With a few notable exceptions, the majority of the Dutch colonial empire's overseas holdings consisted of coastal forts, factories, and port settlements with varying degrees of incorporation of their hinterlands and surrounding regions. Dutch chartered companies often dictated that their possessions be kept as confined as possible in order to avoid unnecessary expense, and while some such as the Dutch Cape Colony and Dutch East Indies expanded anyway, others remained undeveloped, isolated trading centres dependent on an indigenous host-nation. This reflected the primary purpose of the Dutch colonial empire: commercial exchange as opposed to sovereignty over homogeneous landmasses.

A colonial empire is a collective of territories, either contiguous with the imperial center or located overseas, settled by the population of a certain state and governed by that state.

History of Western civilization

Western civilization traces its roots back to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is linked to the Roman Empire and with Medieval Western Christendom which emerged from the Middle Ages to experience such transformative episodes as the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, scientific revolution, and the development of liberal democracy. The civilizations of Classical Greece and Ancient Rome are considered seminal periods in Western history; a few cultural contributions also emerged from the pagan peoples of pre-Christian Europe, such as the Celts and Germans, as well as some significant religious contributions derived from Judaism and Hellenistic Judaism stemming back to Second Temple Judea, Galilee, and the early Jewish diaspora; and some other Middle Eastern influences. Christianity and Roman Catholicism has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western civilization, which throughout most of its history, has been nearly equivalent to Christian culture.. Western civilization has spread to produce the dominant cultures of modern Americas and Oceania, and has had immense global influence in recent centuries in many ways.

History of colonialism aspect of history

The historical phenomenon of colonization is one that stretches around the globe and across time. Modern state global colonialism, or imperialism, began in the 15th century with the "Age of Discovery", led by Portuguese, and then by the Spanish exploration of the Americas, the coasts of Africa, the Middle East, India and East Asia. The Portuguese and Spanish empires were the first global empires because they were the first to stretch across different continents, covering vast territories around the globe. In 1492, notable Genoese (Italian) explorer Christopher Columbus and his Castilian (Spanish) crew discovered the Americas for the Crown of Castile. The phrase "the empire on which the sun never sets" was first used for the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. During the late 16th and 17th centuries, England, France and the Dutch Republic also established their own overseas empires, in direct competition with each other.

Colonisation of Africa ancient and modern colonialism in Africa

The history of external colonisation of Africa can be dated from ancient, medieval, or modern history, depending on how the term colonisation is defined. In popular parlance, discussions of colonialism in Africa usually focus on the European conquests that culminated in the era of New Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa (1884-1914), followed by gradual decolonisation. The principal powers involved in the modern colonisation of Africa are Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, and Italy. In nearly all African countries today, the language used in government and media is the one imposed by a recent colonial power.

This Timeline of European imperialism covers episodes of imperialism by western nations since 1400 but does not take into account imperialism by other nations such as the Inca, the Chinese Empire or Japanese Imperialism, to give only a few of many examples. As such, readers may wish to treat it with some caution if using it as a resource to understand the complete phenomena of imperialism and colonialism.

References

  1. ↑ Ferguson, Niall (2004b). Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. New York: Basic Books. ISBN   978-0-465-02329-5.
  2. ↑ Maddison, Angus (2001). The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective (PDF). Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. ISBN   92-64-18608-5. Retrieved 22 July 2009, pp 97, 241.
  3. ↑ Ferguson, Niall (2004). Colossus: The Price of America's Empire. Penguin. ISBN   1-59420-013-0. Retrieved 22 July 2009, pp 15.
  4. ↑ Elkins, Caroline (2005). Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain's Gulag in Kenya. New York: Owl Books, pp 5.
  5. ↑ "Communiqué of the National Bureau of Statistics of People's Republic of China on Major Figures of the 2010 Population Census (No. 1)". National Bureau of Statistics of China. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Evans, Richard J. (2008). The Third Reich At War. New York: Penguin Group, pp 7.
  7. ↑ Europe: An Unfinished Adventure, (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2004), pp 55-56.
  8. ↑ Kenneth Pomeranz, "Empire & ‘Civilizing’ Missions, Past & Present, Daedalus, 134/2, (2005): pp 43, 45.
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