From the beginning of the 19th century to the First World War, the rapid expansion of colonialism and the Industrial Revolution occurred as a result of other major technological improvements in communications, transportation, and manufacturing processes. The European states needed raw materials found in colonies, hence international trade expanded, so did international investment. This way, capital especially moved from Europe to North America in search for higher profits. Throughout the 19th century, it, in a way, became necessary for European industrialized nations to expand their markets globally in order to sell products that they could not sell domestically in their countries. Besides, businessmen and bankers had excess capital to invest, and foreign investments offered the incentive of greater profits, despite the risks. The need for cheap labor and a steady supply of raw materials necessitated that the industrial nations maintain firm control over these unexplored areas. Only by directly controlling these regions, which meant setting up colonies under their direct control, could the industrial economy work without any serious problem (www. tamaqua.k12.pa.us).

The era of colonialism brought about serious consequences, changing both Western society and its colonies. Through it, Western countries managed to establish a global economy in which the transfer of goods, money, and technology needed to be regulated in an orderly way to ensure a continuous flow of natural resources and cheap labor for the industrialized world. Yet colonialism adversely affected the colonies. Under foreign rule, local economies could not find a chance to grow. Imported goods wiped out local ones. This way, powers held back the colonies from developing industries. Colonialism also led to a cultural clash. By the start of the 20th century, Western nations had control over most of the globe. Europeans were convinced that they had superior cultures and forced the people to accept the Western way of life. The pressures to Westernize led the colonial people to reevaluate their traditions. But the good thing was Western countries introduced modern medicine that stressed the use of vaccines and more sanitary hygiene, helping to save lives and increase life expectancy.

As also understood from the information given, the correct answer is A. The argument in the option I “Under foreign rule, local economies could not find a chance to grow. Imported goods wiped out local ones.” and in the option II “Colonialism led to a cultural clash. The pressures to Westernize led the colonial people to reevaluate their traditions.” can be used by the one who has been planning to underline the drawbacks of colonialism, so the correct answer is A. The argument in the option III underlines the good side of that period. The arguments in the options  IV and V express the reasons in favor of colonists for the rise of colonialism.