Overview

The Industrial Revolution and the rise of European nationalism contributed to great colonial expansion during the late 1800's and early 1900's in Africa and Asia. On those two continents, the industrial nations sought raw materials for their factories, markets for their manufactured goods, and opportunities for investment. They also sought territories that would improve their position against European rivals.

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom divided almost all Africa among themselves, leaving only Ethiopia and Liberia independent. The United Kingdom extended its control in India, Burma, and what is now Malaysia. The French took over Indochina. The Dutch expanded their control in the East Indies. The United States acquired the Philippines. France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States competed for control of the Pacific Islands.

Also in the late 1800's and early 1900's, conquests gave Japan an empire that included Korea and Taiwan. During World War II (1939-1945), Japan added to its empire by conquering a number of colonies formerly held by Western nations. The empire collapsed after Japan was defeated in 1945. Most of the colonies were returned to the Western nations.

Three factors helped bring large-scale colonialism to an end during the 1950's and 1960's. First, the European nations had been weakened by the war. In addition, many people had come to oppose colonialism as unjust. Finally, nationalist feelings and demands for self-government had been growing among most colonies in Africa and Asia. Some of these colonies gained independence peacefully. Others became independent only after fighting a war against their ruler.