Nationalist phenomenon
- colonies beaing treated as evidence of nation’s great power status
- colonial expansion equated with mass nationalism
- post Franco Prussian War 1871, colonial expansion seen as means of restoring french prestige
- competition between nations
- strategic ambitions
- british occupation of egypt for suez canal access and route to india
- imperial achievements presented as demonstration of national strength
Economic exploitation
- surplus capital but underconsumption in advanced capitalist economies
- market, investment opportunities
- cheap labour
- commercial privileges
- raw material