Motives for Imperialism Paragraph Writing Example
Here are some examples of ways to write paragraphs using the structure you were given in class. (See another example at the end of document in Appendix A called PEEEL.) I have used examples, with some changes, from what you handed in so that it is more authentic.
For the following examples, I am going to use the Jane Schaffer method for paragraph construction:
The Jane Schaffer Two-Chunk Paragraph (8–11 sentences) (TS – lead-in and CD – CM-CM-CS and lead-in and CD – CM-CM-CS). Or you can just use it as One chunk (TS-lead-in and CD – CM-CM-CS)
TS (Topic sentence/Thesis statement)—informs the reader what the paragraph/essay will prove; restates the writing prompt
LEAD-IN and CD (Concrete detail)—evidence for TS (quote, paraphrase, fact, description, evidence, support, example, illustration, proof, or plot reference from the novel)
CM (Commentary)—explains the CD and adds support to TS (analysis, interpretation, evaluation of CD)
CM (Commentary)—adds more support to the TS and explains the importance of the CD (analysis, interpretation, evaluation of CD)
LEAD-IN and CD (Concrete detail)—evidence for the TS (quote, paraphrase, fact, description, evidence, support, example, illustration, proof, or plot reference from the novel)
CM (Commentary)—explains the CD and adds support to TS (analysis, interpretation, evaluation of CD)
CM (Commentary)—adds more support to the TS and explains the importance of the CD (analysis, interpretation, evaluation of CD)
CS (Concluding statement)—restates the TS and provides closure to the paragraph
You can use another commentary sentence if you wish but the format is the same. Please see the following examples.
**Also, please note the use of citations for statements I might make (CM) that support my CD statement. This is absolutely essential so you avoid plagiarism. See dark blue in examples.
Topic: Religion and Moral Authority
Religion and moral authority was an important motive for why European countries imperialized African countries in the late 1800’s. (TS) Wilberforce (qtd.in Singh 42), a British statesman sums it up well in this quote“… let us endeavour to strike our roots into the soil by the gradual introduction and establishment of our own principles and opinions…as the source of every other improvement, of our religion, and consequently our morals.” (CD) The European belief of their duty to spread Christianity drove them to search out new lands in Africa so as to convert people to European values. (CM) Livingstone, on the behalf of King Leopold, incorporated an approach where he saw the use of Christianity as a way to improve commerce, advance Christian beliefs and make for better governance and education (Manala). (CM) This idea also went well with the idea of using advanced technology in the form of guns to advance these beliefs as shown in this anti-imperialist hymn by Henri Labouchere (qtd. in Ellis 100) “Onward Christian soldiers into heathen lands…spread the peaceful gospel with a Gatling gun”. (CD) The thinking was, if we cannot do this through missionary work then we will do it through the military. (CM) Under this notion to promote Christianity, King Leopold II of Belgium acquired lands near the Congo river and along with advanced military technology forced the Congolese to collect sap from rubber tree plants to use in industrialization. (CM) These are two examples of how religion and moral authority was used by Europeans to subjugate and control African peoples. These are examples of how religion and moral authority was used by Europeans to subjugate and control African peoples. (CS)
Now, you can make this a simpler paragraph by just using the first part like this:
Religion and moral authority was a very important motive for why European countries imperialized African countries in the late 1800’s. (TS) Wilberforce (qtd. in Singh 42), a British statesman sums it up well in this quote“… let us endeavour to strike our roots into the soil by the gradual introduction and establishment of our own principles and opinions…as the source of every other improvement, of our religion, and consequently our morals.” (CD) The European belief of their duty to spread Christianity drove them to search out new lands in Africa so as to convert people to European values. (CM) Livingstone, on the behalf of King Leopold, incorporated an approach where he saw the use of Christianity as a way to improve commerce, advance Christian beliefs and make for better governance and education (Manala). (CM) This is an example of how religion and moral authority weas used by Europeans to subjugate and control African peoples. (CS)
MLA Works Cited:
Ellis, John. A Social History of the Machine Gun. Aurum, 2005.
Manala, Matsobane. “The Impact of Christianity on Sub-Saharan Africa.” Matsobane Manala, 2020, www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1017-04992013000200016. Accessed January 20, 2021.
Singh, Maina Chawla. Gender, Religion, and "Heathen Lands": American Missionary Women in South Asia (1860s-1940s). Routledge, 2016.
Topic: Industrialization
Industrialization was an important motive for why European countries imperialized African countries in the late 1800’s. (TS – same stem as in previous example). Lord Russell (qtd. Cobden 234), the British prime minister in 1850 stated its importance in concise terms, “everyone will admit…the value of that commerce…gives harbours and security to that trade, which are most useful in times of peace, but absolutely necessary in time of war.” (CD) After industrialization, the demands for cheap resources was magnified as European countries realized that wealth gained from the sale of goods not only increased their economic power but also their ability to control strategic lands through military superiority. (CM) This was, indeed, the driving force behind the Berlin Conference in 1884-85 so that European nations would avoid conflict by dividing the African continent up to ensure each nation would have access to cheap resources to ensure continued industrial growth. (CM) Industrialization drove Europeans to control African lands at any cost even went it mean war with African peoples and ultimately, war between themselves. (CS)
MLA Works Cited:
Cobden, Richard, et al. The Political Writings of Richard Cobden. Kraus, 1969.
Topic: Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism was an important motive for why European countries imperialized African countries in the late 1800’s. (TS – same stem as in previous example). Cecil Rhodes (qtd.in Flint 248), a businessman said it this way “I contend that we [Britons] are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race…more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most honourable race the world possesses.” (CD) This supremacy saw European greatness in the number of colonies one controlled and so the scramble for Africa began. (CM) But, this was a form of racism where Europeans, through force or other means, subjugated African peoples creating a polarizing attitude that developed in to the hated policy of Apartheid that plagued South Africa for decades. (CM). This hatred created division and, in the end, a lack of progress which was a primary reason for a lack of economic growth in South Africa in the post 1945 period. (CS)
MLA Works Cited:
Flint, John E. Cecil Rhodes, by John Flint. Little, Brown, 1974.
Topic: Political Supremacy
Political supremacy was an important motive for why European countries imperialized African countries in the late 1800’s. (TS – same stem as in previous example). Jules Ferry, Prime minister of France 1883-1185 said “Nations are great in our times only by the means of the activities which they develop… out to propogate this influence through out the world and carry everyone that she can her language, her customs, her flag, her arms and her genius.” (Jules Ferry) (CD) This belief in national pride saw European greatness in the number of colonies one controlled and so the scramble for Africa began which led to increase competitiveness between European nations. (CM) Of course, the inevitable happened as Europeans used their colonies to fight wars on their behalf finally culminating in total war where European nations could no longer settle their differences and in the name of national pride and superiority World War I broke out (CM). This is one of the dangerous consequences that can arise from such thinking and it is thinking we can still see today in the 21st century in places like England and Brexit, the Philippines and the United States. (CS)
MLA Citation
Ferry, Jules. “On French Colonial Expansion.” Jules Ferry, web.viu.ca/davies/H479B.Imperialism.Nationalism/Ferry.Fr.imperialism.1884.htm. Accessed January 30, 2021.
Appendix A
PEEEL paragraph writing method
Point – this will be the main theme of your paragraph, your answer to the question – what it will prove
Example – give an example/evidence specific to your point (quote, paraphrase, description…)
Explain – show how this specifically supports your point
Example – give another example/ evidence specific to your point (quote, paraphrase, description…)
Explain – show how this specifically supports your point
Link – link your point back to answering your question