As of 1914, which continent's political geography consisted mostly of independent states that did not have overseas colonies

The continent of Asia consisted of independent states that did not come under foreign domination. South and Southeast Asia were colonized heavily by the Western Powers. However, Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula remained mostly independent throughout the first half of the nineteenth century. Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Thailand were the only Asian provinces that were not colonized by the Western Powers directly, but they certainly had indirect influence over some of these nations. The concept of having overseas colonies was a part of Imperialism, and a scramble for conquering overseas territories, bringing them under political and economic domination. This expansion was ideally driven by the search for cheap sources of raw material and labor, and expand markets overseas for the finished commodities.

Further Explanation-

The continents of Asia and Africa were heavily colonized by the end of the nineteenth century by the European powers. Western Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, parts of East and South Asia were not colonized as these were either too inhospitable for administration, or they did not contain potential natural resources or viable trade connections. The concept of imperialism was driven by the expansion of profit for the colonizing nation, without any concern about preserving the natural resources of the colonized territory. Exploitation was the tool employed for profit maximization. The Industrial Revolution came with technological improvements in industrial production, and new markets would be required for selling the finished products. Colonies served as the perfect solutions; however, they would have to situated within viable international commercial trade routes. There were other factors that favored imperialism such as political and diplomatic factors.  

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Answer Details-

Grade- High School

Chapter- Imperialism and build up to the First World War

Subject- History.

Keywords-

Imperialism, conquer of territories, exploitation, natural resources, labor, commercial routes

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