Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What is the primary strategy used in imperialism to gain control over a country?

1. The establishment of trade agreements

2. The use of military threat and economic sanctions

3. The promotion of cultural exchange

4. The implementation of free market policies

The correct answer is: The use of military threat and economic sanctions

The primary strategy used in imperialism to gain control over a country is often through the use of military threat and economic sanctions. Imperialism typically involves exerting dominance over other nations, and this exertion of control frequently manifests through military action or the coercive power of sanctions. Historically, imperial powers would utilize their military strength to intimidate or directly conquer territories that they sought to control. Additionally, economic sanctions can be employed to pressure governments into compliance or submission by threatening their economic stability. While establishing trade agreements, promoting cultural exchange, and implementing free market policies can indeed play roles in the contexts of international relations and influence, they are not the defining strategies of imperialism. Trade agreements may be used as tools to foster relationships rather than as means of outright control. Cultural exchange can occur independently of imperialistic efforts and may even serve to promote mutual understanding rather than dominance. Free market policies, while often associated with neoliberal approaches to economics, do not inherently reflect the exploitative and coercive nature of imperialism. Therefore, military threats and economic sanctions stand out as the fundamental tactics in the imperialist toolkit for asserting dominance over other nations.