Colonialism

By the end of the nineteenth century, several European countries went through massive development and were industrialized. There was an urgent need for the regular supply of raw material and finished goods; therefore, they started to practice control over areas far from industrialization

The capitalists were looking for new industries in underdeveloped areas to invest surplus capital as their needs were not fulfilled in their own countries

Imperialism and colonialism causes

• Imperialism is the practice in which one country extends control over another country’s economy and rules over its people’s economic and political life. This can be quickly done through the military
• Colonialism meant to capture colonies and be dependent by various means. There was a need for markets, places, and raw materials to invest, promoting developed nations to conquer land outside their territory. Economic rule of the Colony was termed as one of the significant features of Imperialism. During colonialism, resources and wealth went out of these colonies to the developed or imperial countries
• The interests of imperial counties were subjected to the interests of the colonies. An Imperial country is the one that establishes land, raw material in another country. By the end of the 19th century, almost all countries of Asia and Africa were controlled by the other European nations
• Unfortunately, they were too far and distant. Without suitable means of communication, no country would be able to profit from them. The growth of Imperialism coincided with the development of transport and communication. Good roads, steamships, railways, and canals were being built by industrialized nations in their own countries and the colonies
• Easy transportation of goods to and from the colonies made things easier for these countries. Troops could also be quickly sent to colonies. With telegraph and telephone development, messages could be shipped promptly. Almost every country now came within the easy reach of imperial countries.

There have been different understandings prevailing about colonialism amongst scholars:

• According to many political scientists, sociologists, and economists, the colonial society is nothing less than a traditional society that follows the same structure of living as the conventional society
• The task of modernization kickstarted in the Post-colonial societies from a traditional structure. According to many, colonialism is seen as a transitional society which means an organization transformed into a modern capitalist society economically, politically, and socially. They believe that, given enough time, colonialism would have succeeded in the task if it had not been overthrown
• However, writers wrote that colonialism can be described as a dualistic society where one sector is modern whereas the other still follows traditional norms. These sectors reside parallel to each other without overshadowing the other one. Some writers have followed a more radical version of the dualistic model
• They believe modernization was started by colonialism, but it never reached its destination and gave up halfway. Others believe colonialism is nothing more than the foreign political rule and political domination. The weaknesses standing still in colonialism can often be seen in the formulated policies.

Nature of Colonialism

After colonialism, it produced a two-way society that was neither pre-colonial nor capitalist. The most prominent example is India battling under British rule.

• This aspect was made pretty clear after developing agrarian relations in Egyptian and Indian colonies. For example, landlordism in ryotwari and zamindari in British India was comparatively a newer concept as it was not present during the Mughal times
• The British created it, and as a result, it transformed Indian agriculture. Although Indian agriculture was never 100% capitalist, it still possesses many capitalist factors, such as land that can be bought and sold freely without any interference
• If believed in facts, several colonial societies underwent a massive transformation that brought peace due to colonialism. They then became an impeccable part of the world capitalist system.

Conclusion

Colonialism is  used in a pejorative sense and is related with crude exploitation. Some may  deny the reality at times of oppression, economic exploitation and an unconcern for human and civil rights. The colonial power’s  primary interests were selfish and largely economic.After colonialism, it produced a two-way society that was neither pre-colonial nor capitalist. The most prominent example is India battling under British rule. According to many political scientists, sociologists, and economists, the colonial society is nothing less than a traditional society that follows the same structure of living as the conventional society. The task of modernization kickstarted in the Post-colonial societies from a traditional structure. Colonial societies underwent a huge transformation that brought peace due to colonialism.

Related Articles: