Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/658

 620 Readings in European History Small extent of German colonies. IV. Imperialism An English writer thus briefly indicates the present extent of the colonies of the several European powers. 505. Present Since 1884 some three and three-quarter millions of extent of square miles have been added to the British empire. Nor colonies. does Great Britain stand alone in this enterprise. The lead- (From ing characteristic of modern imperialism, the competition j. . son.) Q £ r j va j em pi res> is the product of this same period. The close of the Franco-German war marks the beginning of a new colonial policy in France and Germany, destined to take effect in the next decade. It was not unnatural that the newly founded German empire, surrounded by powerful enemies and doubtful allies, and perceiving its more adventurous youth drawn into the United States and other foreign lands, should form the idea of a colonial empire. During the seventies a vigorous literature sprang up in advocacy of the policy, which took shape a little later in the powerful hands of Bismarck. The earliest instance of official aid for the promotion of German commerce abroad occurred in 1880. But the definite ad- vance of Germany upon its imperialistic career began in 1884 with a policy of African protectorates and annexations of oceanic islands. During the next fifteen years she brought under her colonial sway about a million square miles, with an estimated population of fourteen millions. Almost the whole of this territory is tropical, and the white population forms a total of a few thousands. French Similarly in France a great revival of the old colonial colonies. spirit took place in the early eighties. The extension of empire in the Senegal and Sahara in 1880 was followed next year by the annexation of Tunis, and France was soon actively engaged in the scramble for Africa in 1884, while at the same time she was fastening her rule upon Tonquin and Laos in Asia. Her acquisitions since 1880 (exclusive of the extension of New Caledonia and its dependencies) amount to an area of over three and one-half million square