StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Colonialism and imperialism - Assignment Example

Cite this document
Summary
Colonialism is one the most critical aspects that is widely discussed and debated among historians even in the modern century. Colonialism is in essence snatching and taking control over other communities that are either inferior or unable to defend them due to lack of power…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.7% of users find it useful
Colonialism and imperialism
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Colonialism and imperialism"

Colonialism is one the most critical aspects that is widely discussed and debated among historians even in the modern century. Colonialism is in essence snatching and taking control over other communities that are either inferior or unable to defend them due to lack of power. Colonialism occurs when a nation decides to expand its horizons and was dominated by European nations, who were thirsty to exploit and accumulate natural resources to solidify their nation’s economic wealth. There were two models of colonialism from the European colonialism.

The Dutch/Scottish Model were Calvinists, who believed in a God-given mission to colonize. They firmly believed that inferior races were not intelligent enough to advance as society. Since these so-called “inferior races” lacked intellect and were engaged in barbarity, it was deemed necessary to separate and categorize races. A different perspective of colonialism was founded upon the English and the Spanish model. The belief was not to segregate per say, but to convert all humans to be Catholics or Anglicans.

The emphasis was based upon assimilation of white traditions rather than implementing economic models in the colonies. Although that was a motive for this model, it was clear that the English and Spaniards were clearly interested in the natural resources that colonies possessed. Modern colonialism can be dated as far the as fifteen-century when the Portugal Empire was in the quest to explore other land. The Portuguese and Spaniards were no doubt interest to establish their kingdoms overseas in their quest to become imperialistic leaders.

Africa seemed a logical place to begin as the American regions were taken by Dutch and British. The British had supreme command of the seas and were being efficient and productive with the technological advances that became catalyst to the industrial age. Mercantile colonialism can be categorized in two distinct eras. The first era began around 1415 in which European countries obtained total control of ports in Africa. Since many obstacles deterred the way of internal colonization, European merchants resided mostly on the outer coast.

This was beneficial as trade of raw materials and goods. This new trading system renovated the indigenous production system as it utilized the natural resources that colonies possess. Moreover, it enabled the Imperialistic countries to violate human rights and enslave the natural population of that particular community. The second era of colonialism initiated during the 1850s. Both Europeans and Americans needed raw resources for the industrial revolution. Both colonies began to “scramble for Africa” was due to many factors.

First and foremost, was due to the fact of the “white man’s burden.” The “white man’s burden” was deemed as an idea that justified colonialism because it the rich wealthy whites had a duty to improve poor whether they liked it or not. Furthermore, the justifications of colonial rule can also be attributed to the fact that people were not ready for representative government, needed imperialistic rule to fulfill their needs. Lastly, Lord Lugard insisted that it was a moral obligation of a nation to expand to new horizons in order to defend and secure their own interests.

Colonialism played a large role in shaping the future. Centuries of colonialism have obliterated Africa and other colonies of their natural resources. Some of the greatest tragedies have occurred from this so-called the “white man’s burden.” Undoubtedly, colonialism gave the world a new point of many discoveries yet one cannot undermine the fact that it completely disregard for life. Works Cited "Colonialism." The College of New Jersey Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2011.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Colonialism and imperialism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/other/1417316-colonialism-and-imperialism
(Colonialism and Imperialism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 Words)
https://studentshare.org/other/1417316-colonialism-and-imperialism.
“Colonialism and Imperialism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/other/1417316-colonialism-and-imperialism.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Colonialism and imperialism

Two Visions in The Heart of Darkness by Edward Said

Therefore, in a reflective analysis of the impact of Colonialism and imperialism on the colonized nations as well as the visions provided in the novel Heart of Darkness, it becomes lucid that the author makes an important point when he refers to a network of interdependent histories.... According to him, the natives were incapable of achieving independence and there was no other alternative to imperialism.... In the article, Said purports that Conrad does not give the readers the sense that he could imagine a fully realized alternative to imperialism....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Go Down, Moses and Star Wars on Imperialism and Colonialism

Go Down, Moses and Star Wars on Imperialism and Colonialism Colonialism and imperialism have similarities but they also have differences at the same time.... This paper considers the death of the Bear Old Ben and what it meant for the three characters hunting him as well as semblance for the death of imperialism/colonialism in Faulkner's "Go Down, Moses" and the fall of the Empire in the Star Wars saga.... hellip; This paper considers the death of the bear Old Ben and what it meant for the three characters hunting him as well as semblance for death of imperialism/colonialism in Faulkner's "Go Down, Moses" and the fall of the Empire in the Star Wars saga....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

What is the difference between imperialism and colonialims

While Colonialism and imperialism both have economic advantages for the home nation or center of power, imperialism gains this advantage through forced conformity to an ideology while colonialism creates this advantage through economic, not political means.... Under an economic system dominated by mercantilism, colonies were imperialism and colonialism are two terms that are often confused.... imperialism is different in that the goal in establishing an empire is political as well as economic....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Native American

Currently, neo-Colonialism and imperialism still exists where the United States continuously influence major decisions of other economically weaker states.... The Native Americans constitutes two percent of the entire population.... Among these individuals are the Paleo-Indians who migrated into America and spread out into the… I learned that the term Indian was developed by Christopher Columbus in his tour of East Indies, in the Asian states....
2 Pages (500 words) Term Paper

The Opinions of the Three Authors Concerning the Effect of Imperialism on Material Progress

Their… This paper explores the contrast between the opinions of the three authors concerning the effect of imperialism on material progress. Bauer's article “The Economics of Resentment: Colonialism and imperialism: Second Paper Imperialism The effect of imperialism in relation to material progress in the world generates impassioned debate among analysts.... Bauer and Kaplan are more convincing that Davis because they examine both the positive and negative aspects of Colonialism and imperialism while Davis only focuses on famine as a negative aspect....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Decolonizing Pacific Studies

Indeed, Colonialism and imperialism are synonymous, and they both had similar goals in the systematic areas that they were adopted.... Decolonization was a gradual process that involved reprogramming the minds of the people from the effects of Colonialism and imperialism.... imperialism, History, Writing and Theory imperialism vividly describes all the events that occurred during colonialism, and during the entire period that this process occurred, there are many historical accounts written to express the emotions of the local people during this critical period....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

How Has the Nature of Cultural Encounter Changed over Time

By arguing that cultural interaction has been shaped by desires for dominance and political supremacy, the "How Has the Nature of Cultural Encounter Changed over Time" paper explores Colonialism and imperialism over the past two hundred years.... nbsp;… Angola today is one of the poorest and most underdeveloped places on the planet and this is largely the result of the Portuguese legacy of imperialism and violent rule.... nbsp; We begin the essay by looking at the Portuguese experience in Angola then look at early American imperialism in the Philippines....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework

Todays Isms

This paper will briefly discuss the isms' of today in light of the history of the modern world....  Through nationalism, people have been united and revolutions have seen the light of day.... Nationalism has been a key factor in the drive to colonize or imperialize other nations.... hellip; This research will begin with the statement that in the cause of history, people have experienced an attachment to their traditions and authorities....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us