COLONIALISM
“JUST AS A MAN WOULD NOT CHERISH LIVING IN A BODY OTHER THAN HIS OWN, SO DO NATIONS NOT LIKE TO LIVE UNDER OTHER
NATIONS, HOWEVER NOBLE AND GREAT THE LATTER MAY BE.”
MAHATMA GANDHI (1869 – 1948), INDIAN ANTI-COLONIAL ACTIVIST
The economic impact of colonialism
Colonialism did not, merely impact the development of those societies that did the
colonizing. Most obviously, it also affected the societies that were colonized.
This is because colonialism ended up creating very distinct sorts of societies in different
places. In particular, colonialism left very different institutional legacies in different parts of
the world, with profoundly divergent consequences for economic development.
The reason for this is not that the various European powers transplanted different sorts of
institutions – so that North America succeeded due to an inheritance of British institutions,
while Latin America failed because of its Spanish institutions. In fact, the evidence suggests
that the intentions and strategies of distinct colonial powers were very similar.
full article: [Link]
The economic impact of colonialism
The outcomes were very different because of variation in initial conditions in the colonies.
For example, in Latin America, where there were dense populations of indigenous people, a
colonial society could be created based on the exploitation of these people. In North
America where no such populations existed, such a society was infeasible, even though the
first British settlers tried to set it up.
In response, early North American society went in a completely different direction: early
colonizing ventures, such as the Virginia Company, needed to attract Europeans and stop
them running off into the open frontier and they needed to incentivize them to work and
invest. The institutions that did this, such as political rights and access to land, were
radically different even from the institutions in the colonizing country.
The fact that colonialism had positive effects on development in some contexts does not
mean that it did not have devastating negative effects on indigenous populations and
society.
full article: [Link]
The economic impact of colonialism
Colonialism mattered for development because it shaped the institutions of different
societies. But many other things influenced these too, and, at least in the early modern and
modern period, there were quite a few places that managed to avoid colonialism.
These include China, Iran, Japan, Nepal and Thailand, amongst others, and there is a great
deal of variation in development outcomes within these countries, not to mention the great
variation within Europe itself.
This raises the question of how important, quantitatively, European colonialism was,
compared to other factors.
full article: [Link]
DISCUSSION
What is colonialism? Does your country have a historical connection with colonialism?
What did you learn about colonialism at school? Do you think schools teach enough about colonialism?
What were the effects of colonialism on the indigenous populations of the colonies?
How did colonization change the demographics of colonial lands?
Are there any colonies that still exist today?
What do you know about Christopher Columbus? Is he a hero or villain? Should Columbus Day be
celebrated? What would the Americas be like if it hadn't been for his journey?
How did colonies gain their independence? Why did many gain independence after 1945?
What is colonial architecture? Do you like it? Can you think of any examples?
VOCABULARY
empire, imperialism (nouns) – a number of territories controlled by a single monarch, autocrat or sovereign
nation; the policy of extending a country's power over other territories.
to colonize (verb), colonialism, colony, colonist (nouns) – to exert control over a foreign territory either to
settle or to exploit economically; an individual territory controlled by a foreign power; a person who moves
from the colonizing country to live in a colony.
to settle (verb), settler (noun) – to move to live in another area permanently; a person who settles in another
country or territory.
settler colonialism (noun) – colonialism based on the settlement of people from the colonizing country.
exploitation/extraction colonialism (noun) – colonialism enforced by coercion, military force, slavery, or
other means with the intention of exploiting the people or natural resources of the territory.
neocolonialism (noun) – the use of economic, political or other means to exert influence over foreign
territories in the modern day
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
Which empires can you think of from history?
What motivated countries to build empires or establish colonies?
In which colonies did large numbers of Europeans settle?
Can you think of any other examples of settler colonialism?
Can you think of any examples of exploitation colonialism?
Which countries are involved in neocolonialism today? What are they doing?
HISTORY VS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
[Link]
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Where is Christopher Columbus’ journey not celebrated? a) The United States b) Latin America c) Africa
c) Africa
2. When was Columbus Day first celebrated? a) 1791 b) 1792 c) 1793
b) 1792
3. When was Columbus Day declared an official holiday? a) 1934 b) 1944 c) 1954
a) 1934
4. When Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, which modern day territory was he trying to find?
a) The United States b) The West Indies c) India
c) India
SHORT ANSWER
1. Columbus tortured natives who didn’t bring enough what?
Gold
2. How many people died from war, slavery and the mines during Columbus’ rule over the colonies?
Over 3 million
3. Which cultures does ‘Día De La Raza’ celebrate in some Latin American countries?
Native and mixed
4. The way we keep traditions alive says a lot about our what?
Values
CONVERSATION QUESTIONS
What are the modern-day effects of colonialism? What effect has colonialism had on the economies of former
colonies?
How did the actions of the colonial powers affect the political and economic culture of former colonies?
Why have many former colonies found it difficult to develop their economies?
Should former colonial powers provide economic assistance to their ex-colonies? Why or why not?
Should indigenous people be given land back that was taken by European colonists?
A poll found that 59% of British people think the British Empire is something to be proud of. How does that
make you feel?
Was there anything good to come out of colonialism?
How would the world be different if there had been no colonies or empires?
