OLD IMPERIALISM

'Old Imperialism' is a term given to the period of European imperialism before the 1900s, during which powers were motivated by 'gold, glory and gospel'. Gold referred to the wealth (precious metals and valuable merchandise) that the newly discovered lands promised to deliver, glory described the pride a monarch of Europe felt in laying claim to new land and gospel was a reference to the desire of European powers to 'bring heathens to Christ'. Mercantilist principles drove Old Imperialism. Examples include: Portuguese Goa (India), The Dutch in Java and the Spanish in South America.