Can Western colonization or imperialism be justified? Think about the point of view from both sides. In what ways did the Industrial Revolution and Western imperialism adversely effect other global empires (use Ottoman, Islamic, Qing Empires, and Meiji Japan as case studies)?

Question

Can Western colonization or imperialism be justified? Think about the point of view from both sides.  In what ways did the Industrial Revolution and Western imperialism adversely effect other global empires (use Ottoman, Islamic, Qing Empires,  and Meiji Japan as case studies)?

anonymous · Answer

To who must it be justified? 

To a person who values their own nation over others then it is easily justified. The imperial nation usually gains a huge advantage over other nations in the terms of resources and manpower.

To a person who values humanity as a whole there are only a few times in which western imperialism has actually done good for humanity as a whole. One in particular is Meiji era japan which would have probably still been under feudal control had it not been for the Americans forcing open their ports.  On the whole major atrocities have been committed in the name of imperialism. Depends on your point of view