The Colonial Legacy

Historical Colonialism 16 th to second half of 20 th centuries Profound impacts still felt today – Economically – Politically – Socially Current economic progress and problems of developing world rooted in colonial past

The Colonies Needed to establish reliable trade routes between Europe and East Asia Colonies existed only to meet the needs of the colonizers Competition between European nations to secure strategic locations, seaways, and routes

Treaty of Tordesillas

Colonial Trade Routes

Periods of Colonialism Pre-Industrial Revolution Suppliers of goods – Canada: lumber, fur – US: cotton, tobacco – East: spices, teas Post-Industrial Revolution Mercantilist system Colonies as a captive market Severe economic restrictions – India (cotton)

Concession Companies Created to establish trade in the colonies (e.g., HBC) Traded in particular products (e.g., fur) Served as government in remote regions

British East India Company

Impacts of Colonialism

Land Tenure

Plantations

Cash Crops

Artificial Trade Controls Taxes / tariffs on goods to protect economic interests of mother country Manufacturing restrictions to eliminate competition

Environmental Problems No environmental protection laws Mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing industries – Pollution Chemical Biological Physical waste – Non-sustainable

Foreign Political Systems Traditional political systems disregarded

Elite Groups

Redrawn Boundaries

Imposition of Culture & Language Positives – Common language – Cultural imports are widely shared Cricket Negatives – Local cultures made inferior – Establish social hierarchies

Infrastructure Transportation routes established to move raw materials and goods, not populated areas

Current Economic Colonialism Classic colonialism replaced by informal imperialism Support of client states (financial and military) in exchange for support

Colonies ’ RoleColonial PeriodPost-Colonial Period Source of raw materials Source of manufactured products Market for manufactured goods Chief beneficiary Yes No, competition not wanted Yes Colonial power Yes Yes, because of cheap labour supply Yes Transnational Corporation