Geography's Affect in the 19th Century

Throughout the 19th century, the whole world continued to grow. Technology became more advanced, population boomed, and people began to reach out to other countries for trade and cultural influence. No area experienced this change as much as Europe. With their new technology, such as telegraphs, steam-powered ships, and machine guns, they started to see new opportunities in countries they had originally passed over as barren and barbaric. The Industrial Revolution also created a need for not only resources, but customers with which to trade the processed goods. At first the Europeans willingly interacted with other cultures, such as Indian and Native American peoples, but eventually came to adopt a sense of superiority that would lead to imperialism and the white man's burden.

But how does geography fit in with all this? It's quite simple, really. Countries that are right in the thick of things, nations that are neighbors to the new development, gain benefits that others do not. A country that borders a European nation is more likely to trade with them, and therefore gain some of the technology and power associated with the other country. However, a nation that is isolated from Europe, such as Africa, Australia or the Americas, will not have access to the trade and power opportunities. They will then be regarded by the Europeans as barbaric and savage, and the Europeans may feel that it is their duty to civilize them. This could lead the isolated countries vulnerable to conquest and imperial rule by other, more developed countries.