European Justification of Colonization of Asia and Africa...

The principle justification offered by the Europeans for their colonization of Asia Africa was the moral and technological superiority of the western world. As the Europeans saw it, the spread of the European way of life would substantially increase living standards for the colonized. While economic reasons were obviously the primary impetus for colonial expansion, the Europeans believed that they were not only improving the natives’ conditions, but they were saving their mortal souls by bringing Christianity to them. Over time, the technologically advanced way of life came to be associated with Europe, and with Europeans. This is the cause of the racist and social Darwinist undertones in the documents. First, Europeans use†¦show more content†¦The second justification is the welfare of the colonized nation. According to the majority of the documents given, assimilation into the world economy boosted the economy of the colonized nation, thus increasing the gener al well-being in said nation. Additionally, the colonizing nation would spread new technology, including things like medicine and agricultural technology. Of course, the colonizer would not just hand out life saving technology and then leave. Usually, the colonized nation would use the new technology under the supervision of the colonizer. The example of India proves this point. India benefited greatly from industrialization, which was brought about by the British. However, when the British discovered that India’s industrialization would cut them off from valuable raw materials, they halted the industrialization process, leaving India in very bad shape. If the British had allowed India to industrialize, the world would probably be a very different place today. Document 3 shows a cartoon that illustrates the point above. The cartoon shows how nations such as Cuba and the Philippines grew rich because of colonization. However, the cartoon is not indicative of total wealth in a nation. Colonization substantially increased the rich-poor gap in nations, so while a select few people mayShow MoreRelatedThe Age of Reason Essay921 Words   |  4 PagesAime Cesaire’s essay deals with the European hypocrisy that has existed for many years throughout European history. Cesaire studied liberal ideas that had sprouted in the Enlightenment period or the Age of Reason, a time where many new ideas sprang up. Reason was used to guide the actions of people and nations; no longer was religion the main force. Science became extremely important because it provided answers to questions. With the Enlightenment came ideas of liberalism. Before the Age of ReasonRead MoreNotes on Colonialism and Imperialism1489 Words   |  6 Pagesimperialism * European merchants and entrepreneurs made personal fortunes * Overseas expansion for raw materials: rubber, tin, copper, petroleum * Colonies were potential markets for industrial products * Political motives * Strategic purpose: harbors and supply stations for industrial nations * Overseas expansion used to defuse internal tensions * Cultural justifications of imperialism * Christian missionaries sought converts in Africa and Asia * Civilizing missionRead MoreThe And Its Effects On Africa1550 Words   |  7 Pages â€Å"In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face.†Ã¢â‚¬â€Steve Biko. The continent that the rest of the world looks down upon is struggling for a different reason than you may think. Though the white-washed, western world often believes Africa to be a land of inferior civilizations, inferior people, or inferior culture, all of these small civilizations that have spanned the continent for thousands of years cannot be blamed for any economic disadvantagesRead MoreThe Theory Of Biological Evolution1192 Words   |  5 Pagesspeeding the nation’s economy. In Europe, they too experienced the rise of industrialization; Europeans were also leaving the farms to migrate to cities in search of jobs, technology and trade. However, this new liberal capitalism upset the balance of power in the European society causing unrest. Prior to the 19th Century, religion provided the moral, governing perimeters throughout a society. Colonization, up until this point, was justified by divine right. Commoners did not question those inRead MoreThe s People, By Jared Diamond s Guns, Germs, And Steel : The Fates Of Human1617 Words   |  7 PagesDiamond goes on to explain why and how Australia and New Guinea became to be seen as â€Å"backward† states. Diamond explains that although there was a rise in population due to the development of agriculture, they were unable to progress as much as Europeans due to biological and geographical factors. Biographical factors in New Guinea included lack of protein from crops, few animals to do labor, and no epidemic diseases to keep away invaders. In Australia, the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle causedRead MoreThe s People, Jared Diamond s Guns, Germs, And Steel : The Fates Of Human Societies1634 Words   |  7 PagesDiamond goes on to explain why and how Australia and New Guinea became to be seen as â€Å"backward† states. Diamond explains that although there was a rise in population due to the development of agriculture, they were unable to progress as much as Europeans due to biological and geographical factors. Biographical factors in New Guinea included lack of protein from crops, few animals to do labor, and no epidemic diseases to keep away invaders. In Australia, the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle causedRead MoreThe s People, By Jared Diamond s Guns, Germs, And Steel : The Fates Of Human1617 Words   |  7 PagesDiamond goes on to explain why and how Australia and New Guinea became to be seen as â€Å"backward† states. Diamond explains that although there was a rise in population due to the development of agriculture, they were unable to progress as much as Europeans due to biological and geographical factors. Biographical factors in New Guinea included lack of protein from crops, few animals to do labor, and no epidemic diseases to keep away invaders. In Australia, the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle causedRead MoreThe And Its Effects On The Culture1333 Words   |  6 Pagesthe main character, Okonkwo, has to live his life in this sort of reality, is the perfect showcase. While Okonkwo is exiled, Umuofia is under this shadow of colonialistic power from Europeans. The ideas that are forced upon the culture can be put under that category of formidable violence. The tactics of the Europeans can be portrayed, â€Å"†¦the Reverend James Smith †¦ was a different kind of man. He condemned openly†¦ he saw things in black and white. Sand black was evil. He saw the world as a battlefieldRead MoreRacism : Racism And Racial Discrimination1425 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and there is no justifi cation for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere. In history, racism was a driving force behind conquest and the Transatlantic slave trade, and behind states based on racial segregation such as the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and South Africa under apartheid. Practices and ideologies of racism are universally condemned by the United NationsRead MoreWhy Was Africa Colonised?1882 Words   |  8 Pageswas Africa colonised in the years 1870-1914? The Colonization of Africa was due to a wide range of factors, not only economic and political but also for social, religious, humanitarian and technological reasons, which differed from country to country. Africa’s diplomatic, strategic and material potential led European Powers to seize the opportunity to exploit a new continent. During a period between 1870 and 1914, where the continent of Africa was completely annexed by the leading European powers: