What is Colonialism?

The origin of the word ‘colonialism’ can be traced back to the Latin word “colōnia” meaning “a
place for agriculture”. The standard definition of colonialism is “a policy and practice of a power
in extending control over weaker peoples or areas”. Colonialism is broadly used today to refer
to European economic and political domination in different continents that began roughly in
the late 16th century and lasted until the early 1970s. It’s a policy where one country seeks to
extend political or economic authority over the people and physical territory of another
country. Generally, economic dominance and exploitation of resources is the primary aim of a
country indulging in colonialism.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COLONIALISM -
1. DOMINANCE OF AN ALIEN MINORITY OVER NATIVE MAJORITY:- Usually the weak and
backward states are the victims of colonialism. Therefore, it is easy for a developed
state to control them in spite of their minority. For example very few Britishers ruled
over crores of Indians for a long time.
2. SPREAD OF CULTURE:- Colonialist countries try to impose their culture, which they
regard superior, over the colonies. For this reason they bring changes in education
system, spread their religion and bring change in the overall living of the people. In India
the influence of Portuguese culture can be seen in Goa.
3. POLICY OF DIVIDE AND RULE:- To strengthen the colonial rule, permanently, the
colonialists use the policy of ‘Divide and Rule.’ They make the people to fight in the
name of religion, culture, language, class etc. This weakens the native country.
Moreover, this directs the attention of people towards other un-important things.
4. DESPOTIC RULES:- Colonialist countries establish despotic rule over their colonies. They
depart the natives from political rights and liberties. This becomes an obstacle in the
way of political consciousness among the natives. Their participation in policy making
process is negligible.
5. REWARD TO LOYALTY:- Colonialists also adopt the policy of rewarding the loyal persons
of the colonies. This helps the colonialists to strengthen their grip over the colonies.
IMPACTS OF COLONIALISM –
POLITICAL IMPACT –
In the political sphere, colonialism had both negative and positive impacts. For example, it
provided political unity to India and southeast Asian region which had been torn by dissensions
and strife before the arrival of the western powers. This was rendered possible due to
development of railways, modern means of transport and communication, press, introduction
of English language which served as lingua franca and a uniform system of administration
throughout the country. This unity paved the way for the growth of political consciousness
amongst people and ultimately motivated them to overthrow the colonial and imperialist yoke.
But on the other hand, it had severed negative political impact on African region. Colonialism
greatly influenced the politics of the continent by replacing indigenous institutions by strange
administration. Africa had had democratic culture in the pre-colonial era which later dismantled
through the influence of slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism. African states adopt the
colonialists’ centralized state system which produced ethnic and authoritarian based political
culture. During the colonial era, there was no such concept of African popular
participation. This malpractice inherited by the post-independence African leaders. It is due
to this fact that Africa has suffered from, inter alia, evils of corruption and
authoritarianism since the time of independence.
SECONDLY, the western colonialism and imperialism was responsible for the introduction of
western ideas like nationalism, democracy, constitutionalism etc. in Asia and Africa. The various
imperialist powers tried to implant their ideas and institutions in their colonies and thus
unconsciously let loose liberal forces in the countries of Asia and Africa.
THIRDLY, the colonial powers introduced efficient system of administration in the country. It is
true that the administrative machinery was evolved primarily to promote the interest of the
imperialist powers and paid little attention to the well being and welfare of the natives. Further,
the natives were not given adequate representation in the civil services and generally excluded
from higher positions. Despite these shortcomings, the system of administration, provided by
the imperialist powers, exposed the colonial people to the system of western administration.
FOURTHLY, the imperialist rule also led to the rise of slavery. The slaves began to be sold and
purchased as part of personal belongings. The practice commenced when Portuguese in the
15th century raided the African villages and enslaved the people. These persons were then
transported to America. In fact there existed a regular market of slaves in Lisbon. Even the
English engaged themselves in the slave trade. This slave trade resulted in the uprooting of
millions of Africans from their homes.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
In the economic sphere as well, the western colonialism had a mixed impact. On the positive
side it led to development of industries in Asia and Africa. The various imperialist powers set up
industries in their colonies to make profits and thus paved the way for the industrialization of
the colonies. The colonial powers established long lines of railways, built banking houses etc. in
the colonies to fully exploit their resources. All this proved to be a boon for the colonies and led
to their industrialization.
ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, the imperialist powers exploited the colonies by importing raw
materials at the cheapest possible rates and exported the finished products at very high rates.
The powerful and developed nations needed raw material to run their factories and markets to
sell their finished goods. They also tried to cripple local industries, trade and commerce by
enacting necessary industrial and taxation laws. This policy of systematic exploitation resulted
in the DRAINING OF WEALTH and greatly contributed to poverty, starvation and backwardness
of the colonies. The backward and under developed countries, because of their economic
backwardness, constitute big consumer markets and hence attract imperial powers. Further,
the powerful and rich nations also get motivated to invest their surplus capital in the colonies.
In their own country there is very limited scope to invest surplus capital because after a
particular point it becomes unprofitable to invest capital.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACT:
In the social and cultural spheres the colonial and imperialist rule produced serious
consequences. In the first place it adversely affected the religions of the local people because
the local people were encouraged by the Western Missionaries to embrace Christianity by
offering them certain material benefits. As a result soon Christianity became a thriving religion
in many Asian and African countries.
SECONDLY, the Christian Missionaries played an important role in providing certain social
services to the local people in the form of hospitals, dispensaries, schools, colleges etc. and thus
greatly contributed to the enlightening of the people of Asia and Africa.
THIRDLY, colonial and imperialist rule led to racial segregation. The European rulers treated
their culture as superior to the Asian and African cultures and tried to impose the same on
them. Further, they believed that white races are superior to the black races and tried to keep
aloof. They often enacted discriminatory laws against the local people. For example, in India the
Indians could not travel in the railway compartment in which the Europeans were travelling.
This policy of racial segregation greatly undermined the moral tone of the local population.
FOURTHLY, the imperialist rule undermined the moral principles. They fore shook all norms of
morality to keep their hold on the colonial people. They tried to divide the local people and
made them fight among themselves to retain power. The policy of 'divide and rule' followed by
the British in India best exemplifies this policy of the imperialist powers. It is well known that
this policy of 'divide and rule' ultimately led to the partition of India.
FINALLY, the policy of colonialism and imperialism caused untold misery and suffering to the
people. The various imperialist powers were involved in a number of wars with the local people
as well as amongst themselves which resulted in loss of millions lives.
In the light of the above discussion we can say that colonialism and imperialism left a deep
impact on Asia and Africa in the political, economic as well as social field.