Colonialism

COLONIALISM IS A FORM of imperialism based on the maintenance of complete control over an occupied entity by a ruling state. In a colonial situation the ruling party, usually represented by occupiers from a stronger state, will exercise all executive, judicial, and legislative power over the inhabitants of the occupied territory. Power is invariably extended to control over the economic activities taking place in the colony and the acquisition of resources and processed goods found and produced within the colony.

The colonial master strictly orchestrates the movements and activities of the colonial inhabitants, and their efforts are directed to benefiting the occupying state. Implicit within the concept of colonialism is the inequality of human rights.

Two major periods of global colonialism have occurred. The first period followed the European discovery and occupation of unknown lands in the western hemisphere, beginning with the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492. At that time in human history, Spain and Portugal were the leading maritime nations and leading contenders to reap the spoils of new territories. Protracted competition between these two countries was avoided when the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494. The treaty divided the newly found lands between Spain and Portugal. A line of longitude was drawn 1,800 kilometers west of the Cape Verde Islands. The treaty stated that Spain would receive all lands to the west of the line and Portugal all lands to the east. The great benefactor in this treaty was, of course, Spain. It received all of North America and the majority of the territory in South America. Portugal acquired only the eastern portion of South America that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. Modern-day Brazil, with its Portuguese language, is evidence of the original territorial grant in 1494.

The second wave of colonialism occurred in the last quarter of the 19th century. The activity was efficiently planned and prosecuted. The Berlin Conference was held in 1884 to decide which European country would occupy what regions of Africa. The eventual occupation and control of most of the continent of Africa brought extensive and irreversible changes to the region.

The impacts of the occupation are felt even today, decades after the eventual relinquishing of control and the end of colonialism. Enormous expanses of territory were claimed and occupied during both periods of colonialism. By the beginning of the 20th century, 90 percent of the land area on the African continent came under colonial control. In Polynesia, 99 percent of the land was colonized and in Asia, 56 percent. All of Australia was colonized and 27 percent of the Americas were under colonization at tat time. In Africa, France and Britain together colonized over 70 percent of the land. Other major colonizers during the 19th century were Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany began colonizing activities in Africa in 1914.

The primary incentive during both major periods of colonialism was economic gain for the occupying state. In Latin America, and to a lesser extent in North America, extensive landholdings were taken in the name of the occupying state and presented to individuals settling in the new lands. In addition, vast amounts [Page 187]of precious metals were extracted and sent back to Europe. In the second period of colonialism, a system was established to extract raw materials and food products from the colonies and ship them to processing centers in Europe. These items were then used in the manufacturing process to create products of greater value, which were sold within the European countries and shipped back to the colonies for purchase there.

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