What is Colonialism?
The definition of colonialism is the act of one nation controlling another for economic gain. Colonialism is the system or policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation’s control over other countries, especially in establishing settlements or exploiting resources and generally with the aim of economic dominance.
Colonialism occurs when a country or a nation takes control of other lands, regions, or territories outside of its borders (boundaries of the country) by turning those other lands, regions, or territories into a colony. … Some countries use colonialism to get more land for their people to live in.
When did it start?
Modern colonialism started with the Portuguese Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), initiating the Age of Exploration and establishing African trading posts. It subsequently was followed by Spain and the conquest of the Americas. In the 17th Century, the Dutch empire continue colonization subsequently followed by the British colonization starting with India and the United States starting in late 18th century.
“A first wave of independence movements started with the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), initiating a new phase for the British Empire. The Spanish Empire largely collapsed in the Americas with the Latin American wars of independence (c. 1808 onwards). However, empire-builders established several new colonies after this time, including in the German colonial empire and the Belgian colonial empire. In the late-19th century, many European powers became involved in the Scramble for Africa.”
After World War II (1939-1945) decolonization progressed rapidly, particularly due to the countries that were colonizers losing their economic power.
Did Colonialism bring any benefits to the Colonies they controlled?
Most of the thousands of studies on the topic find that while colonial rule brought some improvements in economic growth, health improvements and well-being particularly when the more developed and financially stronger colonizers who settle and develop infrastructures. However, in almost all cases, the benefits are limited to the support of the colonizers and not in general to the colonies or their population.
In the case of Spanish colonizers in Latin America, major populations of indigenous were exterminated over several centuries through wars and epidemic brought by the Spanish colonizers. In the case of North America, the original population of native Indian were also reduced dramatically by colonizers. For the colonies of Africa the exploitation of resources did not bring about increase in jobs, local development and instead caused major economic and the long term exploitation of natural resource has resulted in environmental devastation.
Colonialismn although in fashion from the 16th Century benefit the few at the expense of the many. At worse, it can be considered inhumane. In today’s modern society, is also considered repressive and it should be avoided unless the benefits over the long term is obvious considering what history has shown.
