Imperialism and Colonialism: Causes, Forms, and Global Impact
Causes of Imperialism and Strategic Policies
Colonial possessions became a yardstick to measure the greatness and power of countries.
Demographic Factors
Colonies provided territories to send national demographic surpluses and reduce social tensions.
Economic Factors
Increased production during the Second Industrial Revolution created a need for raw materials for industry and new markets without customs barriers to sell industrial products.
Ideological Factors
Certain ideological currents manipulated Darwin’s ideas, applied them to society, and selfishly used them to proclaim the superiority of the white race.
Forms of Colonial Rule
Concessions
Concessions involved obtaining commercial advantages from independent countries, which colonial powers divided into areas of influence.
Protectorates
In a protectorate, the indigenous government maintained nominal control of the country, but the colonial power controlled foreign policy, the army, and the exploitation of certain resources, often under the guise of ‘protection’.
Colonies
Colonies were territories under the direct sovereignty of the colonial power. These could be:
- Settler Colonies: Territories where a large foreign population settled.
- Exploitation Colonies: Territories with a majority indigenous population, subject to administrative and military control by a foreign power.
Expansion of Colonial Empires
The Scramble for Africa
In 1870, Africa was largely unknown to Europeans, with only a few coastal enclaves occupied. From that date, major colonial powers, including the British and French, aspired to create continuous empires across the continent. These empires clashed among themselves and with the aspirations of other powers such as Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. To avoid further clashes, the powers met at the Berlin Conference.
Expansion in Asia and the Pacific
In Asia, there were well-organized states. Consequently, the concession system and the division of areas of influence were more frequent. Nevertheless, some territories were directly taken over by the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. Other powers also joined the colonial expansion, with Russia incorporating Siberia and expanding towards India and China. The United States expelled Spain from its colonies, and Japan began the occupation of Korea and Manchuria, leading to clashes with China and Russia.
Consequences of Colonialism
Impact on Indigenous Societies
- Politically: Local governments were eliminated or subjected to foreign control.
- Demographically: Mortality decreased due to progress in medicine and hygiene.
- Economically: Colonial powers forced indigenous populations to work for their advantage, seized their lands, and replaced traditional crops with those for export.
- Socially: A new society was imposed, marked by a strong contrast between the foreign minority and the indigenous majority.
- Culturally: Indigenous beliefs, cultures, and languages were displaced by foreign ones, leading to their disappearance or crisis.
Consequences for Colonizing Nations
For the colonizers, colonialism contributed to global political power and increased wealth. By contrast, it sharpened international political and economic clashes and was one of the causes of the outbreak of the First World War.