The Lingering Effects of Colonialism in the Post-Colonial World

Colonialism is the control of one power over a dependent area or people and its concepts are closely related to imperialism (Blakemore, 2019). It occurs when one nation exerts its power over other nations, often while forcing their cultural values and language upon its people using violence (ibid).

By 1914, most of the countries of the world had been colonized by the Europeans at some point in time (ibid). There are two great waves of colonialism. The first one began in the 15th century, during the Age of Discovery. European countries such as England, Spain, France, and Portugal colonized lands in North and South America during this time (Osman, 2017). The question of why colonialism occurs is prevalent. There are three broad reasons as to why it happened. First was the economic reason. Colonialists exploited the lands of indigenous people for economic gain. Second, for religious duty (Osman, 2017). They believed that indigenous people were barbaric savages and that it was their duty to teach and spread Christian values and civilize them. They asserted that it was in the interest of the colonized to be educated and rehabilitated in the ways of civilized culture (ibid). The third is for glory. European nations at the age of discovery were competing against one another over gaining the largest number of colonies (ibid). Colonial logic assumed that a place did not exist until white people had found it. Hence when Columbus found America they said he had “discovered” it and dubbed it as the New World, although it was not new at all (ibid).

The second wave of colonialism came during the 19th century. This time it centered on the African continent. European nations such as England, Portugal, Spain, and France divided the continent like a sliced pie and created boundaries and borders claiming large pieces of land for themselves. This later came to be called as the Scramble for Africa. These borders split cultural groups which resulted in fierce ethnic tensions with consequences that impacted the whole of the continent. Local politics, economic and social institutions were removed and so were traditional ways of life which were deemed inferior and barbaric (Osman, 2017).

The lives of indigenous Americans were completely ignored when colonialists came to settle in their lands. They overwhelmed them and took their lands in which they have lived for over millennia. Native Americans were chased out of their homes and in 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act which led to forced removal, relocation, and death of Native Americans (Osman, 2017). In 1838, President Andrew Jackson ordered Cherokees; one of the largest and most important Native American Tribes, to relocate to Oklahoma since gold has been found on their land. He sent military troops to force them out and although it was a bitter cold winter, they were forced to walk over 1200 miles. Over 4000 Cherokees died on the journey and this harsh time they faced is now known as the Trail of Tears or the Trail Where They Cried (Blanchard and Root, 2001).

Similarly, during the first half of the 20th century, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) embarked on a similar mission to expand their territory. By the mid-century, they succeeded in gaining lands such as the whole of Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe through aggressive expansionist policy and post-World War two treaties. During these times, European and USSR powers formed new multiethnic lands such as Rhodesia, German East Africa, and French Indonesia. They did this with no regard for the indigenous people living there. Their unique culture and lifestyles were ignored and were forced to merge as one under a single national identity. Such multiethnic states were managed and maintained through violence and through the implementation of various imperialist policies. Indigenous people were divided amongst themselves, a chunk of whom were denied political, economic, social, and human rights. Colonialists divided them and promoted a sense of rivalry among them. This was done to ensure the longevity of their own power in these lands (Marker, 2003).

Today, although colonial powers have withdrawn and the USSR has been demolished, the impacts of colonialism are far from gone. Colonialism holds credit to creating concepts of racism, orientalism, and slavery (Ioakimidis, 2015). Although today’s world is dubbed as the post-colonial world, it does not mean or imply that the effects of colonialism are over. In fact, it is far from over. By the 1960s most Western colonial states gained independence after years of struggle and fighting. Sovereignty however did not bring colonial freedom. These states were left crippled by their colonial ruler. Colonial legacies were still very much visible in their new governments to keep the territories that were created by their colonial rulers. These new governments also followed in the step of promoting ethnic rivalry and unequal distribution of resources. Hence peace did not come to people even after colonial rulers had left (Marker, 2003).

Post-colonialism created a world of unequal economic development. Although the colonial empires left, what they took from their colonial territories was of great worth. It made Europe a world-leading economy since much of its wealth comes from their colonial expedition (Drayton, 2005).

Reference

1. Blakemore, E. (2019). What is colonialism? Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/topics/reference/colonialism/
2. Osman, J. (2017). Colonialism, Explained. Retrieved from https://www.teenvogue.com/story/colonialism-explained
3. Marker, S. (2003). Effects of Colonization. Retrieved from https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/post-colonial
4. Blanchard, K., Root, C. (2001). American Roots. Readings on U.S. Cultural History. New York: Longman.
5. Ioakimidis, V. (2015). Neocolonialism and Social Work. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/economics-econometrics-and-finance/postcolonialism
6. Marker, S. (2003). Effects of Colonization. Retrieved from https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/post-colonial
7. Drayton, R. (2005). The Wealth of The West was built on Africa’s exploitation. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/20/past.hearafrica05