Colonialism
Colonialism – When one country rules another and develops trade with that country for its
own benefit.
History
-The first colonizers were the Spanish and Portuguese under the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494).
It divided the non-Christian world between the 2 countries at a north-south line (runs N-S)
about 2100 km west of the Cape Verde Islands. This treaty completely ignored the rights of
all people affected by it. Spanish got the America’s (minus Brazil-the point touched the line)
and the Portuguese got Africa and Asia.
-Eventually other European countries established their own colonies (Sweden, Belgium,
Germany, Italy, Netherlands with a few and then France and Great Britain with many).
-In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the US also took Cuba and the Philippines while Japan
took parts of Korea and China.
Purpose
-Under the mercantile system, colonies were solely for the economic benefit of the mother
country. All trade had to be to the mother country, no competition allowed.
Impacts of Colonialism
-Traditional land tenure (owning property) practices were destroyed. Went from sharing
resources and land to private ownership (rich had plenty, poor very little).
-The best land came to be owned by trade companies (European owned) or European settlers.
-People once self-sufficient became dependent on imported goods/foods. Colonials planted
cash crops in colonies instead of local foods, this trend continues today!
-Colonial mining, forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing destroyed the environment.
-Colonial powers imposed foreign political systems that did not respect traditional governing
systems. Led to much conflict (Rwanda, Canada-Aboriginals)
-Colonial powers created new countries that did not take into account tribal/cultural
boundaries.
-Colonizers imposed their language on people in the new colonies, leads to loss of languages.
-Colonizers imposed their culture-leads to loss of diversity.
-Colonizers built transportation infrastructures that served commercial needs, not the needs
of the people.
Current Economic Globalization
-Neo-colonialism – Instead of dominating weak countries through direct political control,
strong, wealthy nations now use economic policies, trade policies, and cultural influences.
-Examples, the use of tied aid, relieving portions of debt in exchange for conservation of land
in foreign countries (World Bank – Madagascar for wildlife protected areas), and the gradual
imposition of one culture on others (through media, entertainment, access to information,
etc).