European Imperialism and Colonization

European Imperialism

• European countries colonized territories worldwide, establishing what they called colonies.
• Colonized lands provided resources and areas for European settlement, displacing native populations.
• The experiences of Native Americans and Australian Aboriginals highlight this displacement by Europeans, who turned them into minorities.
• For many years, the history of these indigenous people was ignored.
• Recent efforts aim to document and share their stories, encouraging them to write about their experiences.
• Imperialism involves a country's use of power and military force to occupy another.
• Initially, Spain and Portugal controlled parts of America; later, Britain and France gained control.
• Britain and France also expanded their control in Asian and African countries during this period.
• Railways were introduced to facilitate resource transport from colonized countries like India.
• European countries divided up the African continent and established their rule.

North America

• North America includes countries such as America, Canada, and Mexico.
• The original inhabitants of North America are believed to have migrated from Asia approximately 30,000 years ago via the Bering Strait.
• Before European arrival, they lived near rivers, fishing and hunting for sustenance.
• They practiced agriculture, cultivating various vegetables, but only to the extent required.
• The term "Indian" refers to the original inhabitants of America, not people from India.
• Europeans sought spices from India for preserving food during winter, traveling through Turkey, a trade hub between Europe and Asia.
• They sought a new route to India by sailing west, believing they could circumnavigate the world.
• Upon reaching America, they mistakenly believed they were in India, naming the native population "Indians," hence the term "Red Indians."
• Native Americans were content with what nature provided.
• They did not accumulate more than they needed.
• Conflicts among tribes were infrequent and not significant.
• These groups exchanged goods through gifts rather than purchases.
• They spoke various languages but lacked a written system.
• Native Americans were initially friendly with the Europeans.
• Europeans traded local goods for blankets, iron utensils, guns, and alcohol, exploiting the Native Americans.
• Europeans encouraged addiction to alcohol to impose trading conditions and further exploit them.

Opinions and Exploitation in North America

• Europeans considered themselves superior.
• They believed the original inhabitants lacked organization and knowledge of modern ways.
• Some Europeans, like Jean-Jacques Rousseau, viewed the natives as innocent due to their lack of awareness of the outside world.
• Native Americans freely gave gifts to Europeans, who then sold them for profit.
• Europeans often changed prices arbitrarily, undervaluing or overvaluing trade, causing distress to the Native Americans.
• Many European traders settled in America, increasing the demand for land.
• By the 19th century, the American landscape changed significantly due to land clearing for farming.
• People from Britain and France bought land in America at low prices.
• Europeans used enslaved Africans on farms in the southern part of North America.
• In the 19th century, the northern side of North America claimed slavery was wrong.
• This stance conflicted with the Southern States, which heavily relied on slavery.
• After some conflict, slavery was abolished.
• As the European population increased, Native Americans lost land.
• Europeans acquired land at low prices or deceived Native Americans.
• Small payments for land often went unfulfilled, and Native inhabitants were not considered citizens.
• Tribes that protested were eliminated by the US Army.
• The discovery of gold in California in the 1840s led to a significant influx of Europeans seeking fortune.
• This increased machine demand, leading to the American Industrial Revolution.
• Factories were created to service and work on machines to assist areas like farming.
• Cities and factories became larger and more developed.
• Despite being in a bad state in 1860, America became the fastest-growing industrial area in the world within 30 years.

Settlers vs Natives

• The new European settlers considered America their new nation.
• Frustrated with operators, they demanded the US become a democratic country.
• They wanted to get rid of the monarchy and landowners.
• Some settlers demanded the land remain exclusively for whites and uphold their rights.

Change of Heart

• In 1934, the US implemented the Indian Reorganization Act, granting Native Americans greater rights.
• Native groups were granted eligibility for loans.
• Similarly, the Constitution Act of 1982 restored rights to Natives in Canada.

Australia

• Australia's native population, known as the "Aboriginals," experienced a similar situation to that of the US.
• Aboriginals had been in Australia for approximately 40,000 years.
• They are considered to have originated from New Guinea.
• In the 18th century, there were approximately 350-750 Aboriginal communities in Australia.
• Captain James Cook discovered the land.
• Events in Australia followed similar steps as in the US.
• The natives were initially friendly, but Captain Cook's assassination led to colonizers taking advantage.
• 90% of colonists were former prisoners who exploited the land and its resources.
• These former prisoners became free citizens on the land, while the Aboriginal people faced hardship.
• In 1968, anthropologist W.H. Stanner gave a lecture that inspired the Aboriginals.
• In 1974, Australian policy changed, granting citizens' rights.
• Campaigns were implemented to promote their culture.
• In 1992, the Australian High Court granted rights to land owned in the 1770s.