Imperialism, Colonialism and Decolonization Lecture II PDF

Imperialism, Colonialism and Decolonization Lecture II 1  Learning Objectives In this lecture we will learn about The concept of colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism; The motives of European colonial expansion, and methods of colonial...

Imperialism, Colonialism and Decolonization Lecture II 1  Learning Objectives In this lecture we will learn about The concept of colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism; The motives of European colonial expansion, and methods of colonial rule; The causes of decolonization or end of colonial rule; and The creation of post-colonial states  Periodization of European colonialism 1. 1520-1570: Construction of the Spanish Colonial System in Mexico 2. 1630-1680: Establishment of the Caribbean Plantation Economy 3. 1760-1830: Onset of European Territorial Rule in Asia 4. 1880-1900: A new wave of Colony Formation in the Old World 5. 1900-1930: Heyday of Colonial Export Economies 6. 1945-1960: The "Second Colonial Occupation" of Africa  The rise of Europe and Imperialism 1492: two major developments 1.The “discovery” of the Americas by C. Columbus followed by population movement motivated by three Gs (Gold, God, Glory) 2.The defeat of the Arabs in Spain and the end of Feudalism and the centralization of state which laid the foundation for the creation of national states The development of mercantilism, the accumulation of gold, silver and slaves labor connecting the three continents (The Americas, Europe and Africa) – The Atlantic Slave Trade 4  The three periods of Imperialism 1. 1492-1776, Global Expansion 2. 1776-1870, British dominance and the withdrawal of other imperialists 3. 1870-1949, the New Imperialism(High Imperialism). The New Imperialism started in the middle of the 19th century. It was quick, explosive, and competitive involving British, French, Belgians Germans Italians and Portuguese as well as Americans and Japanese. The highlight of New Imperialism was the Scramble for Africa (1875-1900) symbolized by the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) where Europeans divided Africa into colonies on the map https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzF88HBlAHY (A Brief History of The Scramble For Africa) The Transatlantic Slave Trade The Atlantic Slave Trade 7  The end of slave trade The British act of 1807 to abolish slave trade was not an act of altruism Slaves in South Africa, Jamaica and elsewhere in the British empire would have to wait another three decades for their emancipation. One must add also the resistance by slaves to liberate themselves that ended in the liberation of Haiti at the end of the 18th Century. The abolition slavery gave the way for what they called “legitimate trade”, colonialism  The Impacts of Slave trade 1. West Africa - Slave trade brought about massive social disruption or depopulation through warfare necessary for the provision of slaves 2. In the Caribbean ( Brazil, the Southern USA), the experience of slavery had profound consequences for social differentiation and cultural patterns that are still felt today 3. For Europe - slavery contributed to the accumulation of wealth and facilitated the transitions to industrial capitalism The Partition of Africa (1885- 1900) 1 0  Definitions Imperialism: ‘a political system by which colonies are ruled from a central seat of power in the pursuit of largely if not entirely economic goals.’ o ‘an economic system in which a state pursues external investment and penetration of markets and sources of raw materials.’ Political subjugation through colonialism is only one form this domination might take Imperialism without colonies? USA in Latin America and the Caribbean. Causes of colonaislism and imperialism  Colonialism and colony Colonialism refers to the political, social, economic, and cultural domination of a territory and its people by a foreign power for an extended period of time - foreign occupation and control. Colony: “A colony is a new political organization created by invasion (conquest and/or settlement colonization) but built on pre-colonial conditions. Its alien rulers are in sustained dependence on a geographically remote "mother country" or imperial center, which claims exclusive rights of "possession" of the colony. Neo-colonialism is the process by which rich powerful, developed states use economic, political and informal means to exert pressures on poor, less The Motives of European Colonialism 1. The Economic Theory Hobson’s Theory overproduction and under- consumption Lenin’s Theory of Monopoly Capitalism: “Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism” 2. Social Darwinism, emphasizing the alleged superiority of European race over other races 3. Evangelical Christianity 4. Social atavism 5. Diplomatic theory – balance of power, national prestige and global strategy 1 3  Source for European Raw Nationalism Materials Industrial Missionary Revolution Activity European Markets for Motives Military Finished Goods & Naval For Colonization Bases Social Darwinism Places to European Dump Racism Unwanted/ 14 Excess Popul. Humanitarian Soc. & Eco. “White Reasons Opportunities Man’s Burden” How the Europeans were able to conquer Africa? 1. They knew more about African politics, land and people thanks to explorers, missionaries, merchants, etc. 2. Medical technology –Europeans were less fearful about African diseases since the middle of the 19th Century 3. More material advantage that they could spend millions of pounds on overseas campaigns and African cannot sustain any military invasion 4. Military technology, Maxim guns and heavy artillery 5. Political and military weakness of African societies The “Scramble for Africa” 1880-1900 The Berlin Conference, 1884-1885 Convened by The German Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck 14 European major powers attended No African leader was invited to this meeting Africa was divided on the map (see the map) without considering and cultural, religious and ethnic differences of African societies It set the ground rules for occupation and colonization The Berlin Act defined the “the Sphere influence” Yet some countries were on the verge of  Glorifying and Justifying European Colonialism Europeans justified colonization as a “civilizing mission” and “white Man’s Burden” which would benefit the colonized: “More of the tribes quickly accepted European colonial rule as part of irresistible order, one which brought many benefits, above all peace, and existing novelties, railways and roads, lamps, bicycles, ploughs, new foods and crops , and all that that could be acquired and experienced in town and city. For the ruling class, traditional or created, it brought a new strength and security of status and new forms of wealth and power. For many years after annexation, though there was much bewilderment, revolts were very few, there does not appear to have been much sense of indignity at being ruled” (M. Perham, quoted in Adu Boahen, 1990)  \ 1 8  Types of colonies 1) Exploitation Colonies: examples (British India, Indochina (French), Egypt (British), Togo (German), Philippines (American), Taiwan (Japanese) Variant: Spanish America, in which European immigration led to an urban mixed society with a dominating creole minority 2) Maritime enclaves: (result of fleet actions) examples (Malacca (Portuguese), Batavia (Dutch), Hong Kong, Singapore, Aden (all British), Shanghai) 1 9  Types of Colonies 3) Settlement Colonies - result of militarily supported colonization processes a) "New England" type: displacement and even annihilation of the economically dispensable indigenous population; examples: the British New England colonies, Canada (French/ British), and Australia b) "African" type: economic dependence on an indigenous labor force; examples: Algeria (French), Southern Rhodesia (British), and South Africa c) "Caribbean" type: import of slaves; examples: Barbados (English), Jamaica (English), Saint 20 Domingue (French), Virginia (English), Cuba  Methods of colonial rule in Africa, France & UK From about 1900 four main theories of colonial administration emerged. 1)France: Assimilation, Association and Direct Rule Assimilation was absorption of the Africans to European culture and European acceptance of the Africans as a partner in government, business and missionary enterprise But the policy of Assimilation failed and replaced by the policy of Association which appeared to be economical, practical and effective Portugal had similar policy called assimildos 2 1  Methods of colonial rule in Africa, France & UK 2) UK: Indirect Rule Indirect rule was based on ethics, tradition and theory and cheap Decentralization and continuity Cooperation and evolutionary change Indirect rule was vague, paternalist and filled with entrenched racism and unsuccessful except in few places like Uganda and Northern Nigeria.  Decolonization/Liberation Decolonization/Liberation is the opposite of colonization - i.e. ending colonial rule. The surrender of external political Sovereignty, largely western European peoples plus the emergence of independent territories; Decolonization took place mainly after 1945, 1947- 1965 in particular; More than EIGHTY countries gained independence between 1945-1980 India was the first to be free in 1947 and followed by other Asian and African countries from the 1940s to 1970s 2 3  Decolonization/Liberation What did Colonialism end after 1945? 1.The development of anti-colonial nationalism and national liberation movements in reaction to European domination and imperialism (Asia and Africa) 2.The Economic and Political consequences of WWII 3.The Ideological and philosophical opposition of US and the USSR to classical colonialism 4.The success of Asian nationalism (India, Burma, Sri Lanka etc 5.The question of the profitability of colonies (the cost to run colonies) 6.The UN and its charter which followed the 2 4 Atlantic charter of 1941 made colonialism illegal  Decolonization/Liberation WAR NEGOTIATION Vietnam [France] India / Pakistan Algeria [France] Much of Africa Kenya [Britain] Indonesia Mozambique & Angola Philippines [Portugal] Zimbabwe (white settlers) Leadership of liberation struggles Western educated middle class Charismatic Some supported violence and others non-violence Left to right: Jomo Kenyatta, Ho Chi Minh, Kwame Nkrumah, Mahatma Gandhi Decolonization in 20th Century  Questions for debate on European colonialism o Did imperialism and colonialism lead to or prevent the development of the areas of the world referred to as ‘developing countries or the South? o What kind of development did European imperialism and colonialism bring about in Africa, the Americas, and Asia? o Where would Africa, Asia, and the Americas be today had they not been colonized by European powers? The End