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- Reaction score
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- Points
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Colonialism was both a blessing and a curse. The actual takeover of various territories around the world by colonial powers resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and virtual or actual slavery for many of the conquered peoples. In addition many of the conquered territories saw their resources exploited and ways of life drastically changed.
If you want an example of how drastically colonialism changed a nation Malaya is a good example. Not only were its resources (tin being the most important at the time) stripped, but its population was changed as well. To the original Malay population was added hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indian laborers who were first used in the tin mining operations and then used to cultivate and harvest crops like oil palm and rubber (neither of which was a crop that existed prior to colonialism). The legacy of this colonial change can be clearly seen in modern day Malaysia. This pattern of exploitation and drastic change was repeated in most colonized areas.
On the positive side, colonialism eliminated internecine warfare in every region that was colonized. It also forced political unity on regions that had none. This can be clearly seen in Africa which before colonization consisted of thousands of tribal units, many of which were constantly at war with their neighbours. Colonialism achieved in just a few decades in Africa and other areas a level of unity that took Europe hundreds of years to achieve. Colonialism also resulted in major improvements in basic infrastructure through the building of roads, railroads, ports and the establishment of numerous industries that exist to this day. Adding to this were the coinstruction of schools, hospitals, and health clinics.
In short, for some colonized people; especially those colonized by backward nations such as Portugal, colonialism was a disaster. For others like India under the British many benefits were conferred on the nations. What has to be asked is whether the benefits received are outweighed by the humiliation and pain of being subjugated for a century or so.
What do yu think?
If you want an example of how drastically colonialism changed a nation Malaya is a good example. Not only were its resources (tin being the most important at the time) stripped, but its population was changed as well. To the original Malay population was added hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indian laborers who were first used in the tin mining operations and then used to cultivate and harvest crops like oil palm and rubber (neither of which was a crop that existed prior to colonialism). The legacy of this colonial change can be clearly seen in modern day Malaysia. This pattern of exploitation and drastic change was repeated in most colonized areas.
On the positive side, colonialism eliminated internecine warfare in every region that was colonized. It also forced political unity on regions that had none. This can be clearly seen in Africa which before colonization consisted of thousands of tribal units, many of which were constantly at war with their neighbours. Colonialism achieved in just a few decades in Africa and other areas a level of unity that took Europe hundreds of years to achieve. Colonialism also resulted in major improvements in basic infrastructure through the building of roads, railroads, ports and the establishment of numerous industries that exist to this day. Adding to this were the coinstruction of schools, hospitals, and health clinics.
In short, for some colonized people; especially those colonized by backward nations such as Portugal, colonialism was a disaster. For others like India under the British many benefits were conferred on the nations. What has to be asked is whether the benefits received are outweighed by the humiliation and pain of being subjugated for a century or so.
What do yu think?