Discuss

The texts presented have many shortcomings in the way they justify colonization. Alfred Miller in his texts talks about guarding the civilization of Egypt as the reason England must maintain its control over the nation. One way that Millers thoughts are misled is thinking that England having identical interests as Egypt gives them the reason to colonize the natives. As a way of making sure England does not lose its Egyptian market, Miller justifies colonization. He says, With the deficiency of outlets which threatens our vast foreign trade, the great and growing market of Egypt is evidently not a thing which we can afford to despise (Robinson & Charles Austin Beard, 1909). Although he admits that England has no right to rule over Egypt, England must possess the territory to keep enemies from possessing the nation. Millar argues that the native will acquire the positions held by the Englishmen when they develop governing capacity. As native governing capacity develops, as natives come forward who are fit for responsible posts now held by Englishmen, these posts should be resigned to them (Robinson & Charles Austin Beard, 1909).

Joseph Chamberlain considers the need for England to solve high unemployment rates in the nation as the reason for the colonization of India and Egypt (Beard & Robinson, 1909). He considers colonization as the way England could increase demand. Increased demand would encourage more production that would call for more human labor. Chamberlain says; Give me the demand for more goods and then I will undertake to give plenty of employment in making the goods (Beard & Robinson, 1909). The new markets, colonies would help in developing the old markets. For this reason, he argues that England should maintain its hold on India, which he considers the most valuable customer Britain has ever had. For the same reason, Chamberlain campaigned for the spread of English rule across Africa.