Colonialism and Imperialism
Question 1
Nations engaged in colonialism and/or imperialism as a way of expansion of their territories. Many European nations that engaged in colonialism aimed at increasing their empires for social, economic, and political gains. The existence of the Spanish empire since the 16th century, English and the Portuguese empires created a desire of many European nations to establish their empires. It is this increased desire to create empires that led to other nations like Germany, Italy, and Belgium among others to join in search of colonies to expand their territories. Therefore, this urge for expansion created conquest which later resulted in the discovery of new territories.
Moreover, the nations wanted to establish their superior culture in the colonies and impose civilization. They aimed at making their colonies an integral part of the mother countries and that could only be done through the civilizing mission. The European nations each surveyed the world in its manner with the view of their cultural superiority (Stuchtey, 2011). Therefore, each nation used her religious affiliation and prestige to impose culture and civilization in colonies. Christianity and Islam were integral in differentiating European nation’s cultural practices in various colonies.
Furthermore, colonialism and imperialism were as a result of expanding commercial activities. Many nations entered the race for colonization for economic interests especially in the Asian, African and Pacific regions. The industrial revolution in Europe led to increased demand for raw materials and the market for the products. Increased demand made nations look for markets elsewhere, for instance, the Dutch established spice trade and also participated in expanding the empire in South East of Asia. Even though Informal imperialism that was mainly associated with free trade lost ground and thus cohesion could only be reached through violence, trade still thrived. European nations still developed new areas that succeeded in trade especially in Asia that could be opened without causing violence.
Question 2
Colonialism is a state of establishing and a will to expand and rule over other countries. According to Wolfgang Reinhard, colonialism is a developmental differential as a result of the control of one person by an alien one. It, therefore, implies that the alien or the conqueror who establishes rule over another country aims at benefiting by exploiting resources in the conquered country. Imperialism, on the other hand, is the establishment and maintenance of an empire, expanding it into other neighboring regions and consequently expanding its dominance as far as it can reach.
Colonialism, therefore, requires a moderate critique and enthusiasm in territorial expansion. Imperialism often comes with ideologies and to an extent, it can inhibit violence and resistance. Colonialism can change the structure of the colonized region socially, physically, and economically. Imperialism, on the other hand, is described as a situation where a foreign government governs a territory without a significant settlement in the territory.
Question 3
Five nations that engaged in colonialism and/or imperialism include; Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and Germany. Spain, France, Britain, and Portugal were among the first nations to establish interest in overseas trade in the early 15th-16th centuries. However, in the early 18th century, Germany under sir Karl Peters (1856-1918) and Henrich Schnee (1871-1949) also joined the race to establish an oversea rule. The establishment of colonialism thus, started as early as the 15th century when Spain and Portugal as a union were interested in overseas trade with Brazil. Britain also had interests in parts of Asia and India but then the competition gained roots in the 17th century when French, English, and the Dutch all joined. Colonialism and imperialism, therefore, lasted up to the 19th century where proponents of decolonization championed for the end of the vice. The principal locales included Asia, Pacific regions, Africa, and South America.
Colonialism became an important tool to spread religion especially Christianity and Islam in the world. Religion was used as an entry point in many colonies since the early missionaries opened ways for the colonial masters. Through religion, it was easy for the nations to impose their culture on people in the colonies without much force. It was instrumental in establishing the system of rule in the colonies at the same time identified the prestige of the colonizing nation.
Trade thrived because of colonialism especially the slave trade which led to the opening up of many ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa to transport slaves. Through trade, most regions were opened up and there was increased urbanization especially in the colonies because of the exchange of goods that increased revenue.
Furthermore, colonialism and imperialism contributed to a changed self-perception of Europe in the world. The rule over other people was to be achieved through violent conquest, military, economic and cultural exploitation. Therefore, the European claim of superiority was seen as a slave economy to the colonized people for instance Britain’s “gentlemanly capitalists” scheme.
Moreover, it led to increased racism, especially during the slave trade. Most of the people taken in as slaves were chosen based on color thus continued to spur the human inequality that existed especially in Europe where slaves were being taken. The colonial masters segregated their subjects who were only deemed good for their profits and nothing else meaningful could be seen in them.
Reference
Stuchtey, B. (2011). Colonialism and Imperialism,1450-1950.