Colonialism: Definition, History, Method, Impact

What is Colonialism?

Colonialism is a form of dominance that implies the subjugation of one group of people by another foreign entity. It has its roots in medieval wars and feudalism and shares a deep connection with Imperialism (a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization).

A Map of the British Empire in 1921, when it was at its Height

Source: Wikipedia

History of Colonialism

Colonialism is not a modern-day issue. Numerous instances of a society gradually growing by incorporating nearby land and establishing its people on newly conquered territory can be found throughout history. 

• The ancient Greeks and Romans by attacking the nearby locations, increased their land and resources and eventually assimilated them into their own cultures. 
• In the late 16th and early 17th Centuries Colonialism took a different form because of the technological advancements in Europe it was now possible to move a large number of people from one place to another, in big ships, hence the race for establishing colonies overseas began throughout Europe.
• At the end of the nineteenth century, the Industrial Revolution had seen Britain and France seize control of various Middle Eastern, South, and Southeast Asian countries, whose riches the colonial powers would exploit well into the 20th century. After the end of World War II in 1945, the former colonies acquired freedom owing to a variety of circumstances.
• The people of the colonized countries wanted freedom from this system, so mass movements took place like the Indian Freedom Movement, Irish Freedom Movement, and Indonesian struggle for independence to name a few.
• The Second World War's destruction left the colonial powers themselves economically vulnerable. 

The Civilising Mission

The modern phase of colonialism that was undertaken by most of the European nations began in search of exotic things like spices and valuable raw materials, but eventually, this entire process of establishing colonies and taking over and exterminating native populations was seen as a “Civilising Mission” propagated by the Churches and Monarchs. The mission branded the native inhabitants of a nation as barbaric and uncivilized and the Europeans as their saviors who would “Civilize” them by converting them to Christianity. However, the reality was completely different as the colonized countries were often subjected to inhumane behavior and forced conversions.

Impact of Colonialism

1. As their empires expanded and the wealth of the colonized nations ended up going to the colonizer, colonial empires grew wealthy and strong.
2. Europe, particularly Britain, was able to industrialize thanks to raw materials supplied by colonies, as well as markets for manufactured goods. The local economy suffered as a result.
3. Church and state collaborated to alter the indigenous belief systems of those they governed. Many colonies witnessed entire populations being converted, either via force or fear.
4. Language was another thing that was imposed upon the colonized, thus after the Second World War English became a global language as Britain had the most number of colonies.