European colonialism and its impact on Africa, Asia, and the Americas

Colonial Settlement

The lasting impact of colonial settlement

The colonialism is taken to be a political and economic experience which paved the way for the European to explore, conquer, settle and exploit large areas of the world. The era of modern colonialism started during 1400 A.D with the European discovery of sea route around Africa's southern coast during 1488 and that of America during 1492. They made provisions to transfer the sea power from that of the Mediterranean towards the Atlantic and to the emerging new nation-states at that time which were Portugal, Spain, Dutch Republic, France and that of England. The initiation for discovery, the desire to conquer and settlement led these nations to expand their territories and to colonize over the world, extending the European institutions and culture to other parts of the world. The competition continued among the European nations for colonization across the world. Such colonies were exploited their raw material and applied as the new markets for European goods. Europeans had little care for the native people of such areas and consequently have great loss of life and culture. (Exploration)

During the 15th century the Portuguese instituted several forts and port cities along the east coast of Africa with a view to extending trade with the interior. However, could not succeed in establishing the contact and finally failed. Up to the mid 17th century, the Dutch could succeed in establishing a settlement at Cape Town the tip of Africa. This was viewed as the midpath point for their trade with India. The Dutch that settled in Cape Town were considered as Boers. They removed or enslaved the most of indigenous Africans in the region. During 16th century Portugal succeeded in attaining the control of the Indian trade from the clutches of Muslims. They first captured and regulated significant trade ports along the Indian coast. Consequently, this entailed them the monopoly of spice trade for most of the 16th century. The Portuguese control failed in the region as a result of mistreatment of indigenous Indian people and the disregard to the Indian culture and religion. (Exploration)

During the late 16th century the Dutch could succeed in taking control from the Portuguese and exercised monopoly of spice trade in Asia instituting Dutch East India Company in the early part of 17th century. The British and French constituted their own East India Companies and competed among themselves for lucrative spice trade during 18th century. They had alliances with the local princes and deployed Indian troops. Finally, British East India Company compelled France out and continued to control the trade networks. Spain started the agenda for imperialism and colonialism in the Americas. Spain invaded with their conquistadors those safeguarded the region for exploitation. Some of the conquistadors were allured by the search of gold and glory while the others attempted to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. In Dutch, French and British all strived for New World colonies in North America. The mythical Northwest Passage was being searched by all these three nations that were expected to lead them to Asia.

To their misfortune, that did not exist. However, they continued instituting colonies for trade and settlement. The large number of French and British settlements in the early part of 17th century has resulted in the death and displacement of the native population. The Dutch initially instituted the trading post at New Amsterdam but gradually British forced them out and converted it to New York. The growth of colonies in the America required cheap and reliable labor. Initially, the European settlers tried to enslave Native Americans. However, they could not find the Native Americans fit for plantation work and it became easy for them to flee and return to their people. Europe then considered Africa for its labor source. A vast number of Africans were brought and send to America to be deployed in the agriculture activities. The Triangle Trade from Europe to Africa and to the America was in large scale and was much profitable. The slave trade in African Diaspora resulted in forced migration of million of people. Besides, the colonization has resulted in the "vast exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas and technology" during the era of exploration. This has been referred to as the Columbian Exchange since it initiated with the Columbus. While many features of such exchange had positive impacts like exchange of food between Europe and America, the negative impacts like exchange of diseases also cannot be dissuaded. (Exploration)

III. Did the American Revolution have to be a violent one?

The American Revolution is being popularly depicted as the American War of Independence. The American Revolution is considered to be quite different from that of any other revolution in the entire history of revolutions. It was considered to have broken out in an empire that had comparatively granted the colonies larger measures and amounts of political, religious and economic freedom. The inclination towards revolt measures arose out of the desire to have even more freedom and liberty than they already had. The American Revolution was considered as a unique one. USA is considered to be one among the few states in the world that has seen only one revolution. Contrary to many great revolutions the American War of Independence is seen to have succeeded in achieving its goal of fostering men with more liberty than they had previously possessed. Some scholars however, do not regard the American Revolution as a revolution since it does not accommodate their narrow model. However, some regard it a revolutionary one taking into consideration the ideas, values and the beliefs that occurred during the post Revolution periods. (Was the American Revolution a Revolution

One of the significant dimensions of a revolution is violence. Taking this fact into consideration American Revolution truly appropriates its description of a real Revolution. The most severe impact on the colonies was the number and the force of the effects that were persuading the large masses to violence, acquainting them to an irresistible exercise of power and breaking down among them the salutary regard for authority. While some analysts, particularly the English historians visualize this as an evil outcome of the Revolution, the violence and its results were as significant constituent of the Revolutionary experience that gave rise to the birth of United States of America. (Was the American Revolution a Revolution