What was colonial fever?

Colonial fever was a term coined to represent a public desire to acquire overseas colonies. This phrase was used for the first time in 1870 by German politician Ludwig Bamberger.

Several motives were behind this desire for colonial expansion, especially on the part of European countries:

* Economic opportunism: Colonies were seen as sources of raw materials, new markets, and cheap labor.

* National pride and prestige: Colonies were considered symbols of national power and prestige, and their acquisition was often seen as a sign of a country's strength and virility.

* Social Darwinism: The late 19th century saw the rise of Social Darwinism, which held that the fittest nations were those that were able to expand and colonize. This belief justified European colonialism in the minds of many.

* Geopolitical considerations: Colonies could be used to secure strategic locations, such as ports and coaling stations, or to deny such locations to rival countries.

The age of colonialism ultimately ended after the Second World War, as many colonies gained independence and the process of decolonization began.