Imperialism Is Positive for Westerners - Essay Example

Imperialism was always seen as positive for Westerners, but as destructive by the peoples of Africa and Asia. Date: Imperialism is a practice or policy by which a country/nation increases its political, economic or cultural life power by dominating over other nations/countries/regions. It involves changing or influencing the way people live in other poorer countries. It is believed that the root source of this imperialism was as a result of industrialization. With competition and success in economic activities in the West, countries struggled for raw materials, a place to invest for capital and the search for ready markets for their commodities. Later, politicians and industrialists pointed out that the only way to succeed was to acquire overseas territories. This was a major step by these countries in the west but to the subjects, i.e. Africa and Asia, this was a bad dream if not a nightmare. Africa was specifically chosen because in Africa, declining empires and wars among the locals left many states vulnerable. Furthermore, it would make available of the raw materials e.g. rubber and tin not locally available in the region and would also create a ready market for the goods. The force of European commerce, culture and power in Asia resulted to a rise to growing trade in goods/commodities that were a key development in modern world free market economy. The motives of this imperialism which were accomplished by the end of the 19th century were improving communications, medical advances, and military technologies. By 1860, Africa was still developing internally on its own terms. The dynamism and importance of Africa on the global continuum supports the theory that Africa would have evolved/developed and sustained level of advancement/development and civilization without the contact with imperial forces. Also, many states had been weakened by slave trade1. On one hand, the imperialism was damaging as it led to large portions of Africa came under European colonial rule. When the imperialists saw how divided and uncivilized the local people were, they thought that with a little help they can easily conquer and rule the land. Another factor that enhanced their morale was the primitive weapons used by Africans and also they took advantage of the hospitality of the local people. This style is called ‘divide and rule . Westerners sought to fight African tribes among themselves which made it easier for them to take control and earn the ‘free’ land. Another damaging factor was famines that resulted in regions where farmers grew cash crops for export for imperialistic nations instead of food for local use. Indigenous people lost parts of their own heritage as an alien one was forced upon them. This is seen in terms of traditions, religion and also social practices. Some local people were pagans so the introduction of Christianity was easily welcomed. Arbitrary political boundaries by the aliens created problems. This was as a result of claiming land by the powers as it led to political boundaries among the local regions. The imperialists also took all the valuable raw materials and took them to their mother country to make products that they would later come back and sell at hiked price to local people. The industries by these aliens established a discrimination pattern of remuneration, labor recruitment and treatment that settled itself deeply into the social and economic relations of the local regions. This led to paying white skilled immigrants highly while the African laborers were lowly paid thus earning approximately one ninth of the wage of the white miners. All these were brought about by the sense that the aliens were better humans than the local people. This better feeling over others is called racial segregation towards other people. According to a report by the U.N, the long term effects of imperialism are tax evasion, illegal financial transfers and secret mining deals. These activities and resources rob the native land of its resources and enormous revenues2. British imperialists destroyed the native culture of local regions. This was as a result of the introduction to Christianity as they believed the cultural practices and beliefs by the local people were superstition and witchcraft and non-existent things. Also, these interference caused disturbance to a united peaceful people who did not want disturbance. They destroyed Indian culture and introduced theirs. Foreign cultures were good, but they led to the loss of the native culture. Hypocrisy by British made them set up “European only” parks, clubs, and railroad cars. These are events and services that could not be used by Indians because they were originally set for British people. Local people in India even had to stand still while a European passed. The only Indians allowed to these places were servants (this is racial segregation). It led to increased poverty in local regions. After the industrial revolution, British passed laws that forbade the sale of goods fro India. These goods could not even be sold in India only British made goods. All Indians were forced to leave their activities, as a result from poverty and go to work for these aliens where they grew cash crops e.g. tea, jute, cotton and indigo. This led to massive poverty and famine that is visible even in present day. Limited ways to make money was met by a resounding increasing taxation. Political boundaries set up by British led to rivalries and fighting when the European left. India and Pakistan have fought thrice since 1947 for the boundaries set up by the British. Exploitation, poverty, misery, cruelty, and conversion were all results of colonialism that resulted from imperialism. Slavery became popular as local poor people struggled to survive under these harsh terms. People were sold and purchased as part of personal belongings to work for Europeans’ farms and houses where they lived in poor conditions and little or no salary. Imperialism led to colonialism that led to bitter rivalry between the powers. Germany even fought with France over Morocco3. The imperialists tried to end local businesses, trade and commerce by inducting industrial taxation laws. This exploitation brought about high levels of poverty and draining of wealth among the local people and contributed starvation and backwardness of the native colonies. Also, it led to spread of Christianity as the western missionaries encouraged local people to embrace Christianity by offering certain material benefits. The imperialists treated their culture as superior to the Asians and Africans so they tried to impose the same on them. Discriminatory laws against local people in Asia and Africa came from this racial segregation. This led to undermining of morale tone of the local population. (impacts, n.d). The westerners imported machine-made goods that destroyed indigenous cottage industries. This led to people abandoning their farms and businesses to work where there was a pay. A lot of Asians were abused or worse even killed by these aliens. They were cast out of cannons so that their blood and guts spilled all over the place. It is fair to conclude that Asians were deprived of their independence and were exploited economically something they did not like. After revolts in India, Gandhi said,’ I love you Christ, but I do not like Christians. Imperialism participated a lot to the African people culture. The wars that came with imperialism left deep scars in the nations thus causing racial barriers and social distinctions. The brutality of the imperialists westerners towards the African laborers/people are unmentionable. Conclusively the ideas and concepts that the westerners brought to Africa during the imperialist period do not outweigh/balance the cost of African peoples lives that were sacrificed for European businesses4. Bibliography Bryan Ellis. “UN panel reveals effects of imperialist exploitation of Africa: Report details plunder of resources and growing inequality”. Liberation, accessed on April 08 2014, http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/un-panel-africa-report-2013.html Huntington P. Saamuel. The clash of civilization and remarking of World. U.S, Simon and Schuster Publishers. 2007 “Impact of western imperialism in Asia and Africa”. Preserve articles. Lastly modified: N.M, ND 2012: http://www.preservearticles.com/2011090412997/impact-of-westsern-colonialism-and-imperialism-on-asia-and-africa.html Kasongo, K. (2010) “Impact of Globalization on Traditional African Religion and Cultural Conflict”. Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences. Vol.2. N01. Pp. 309- 322) Read More