Colonialism’s Impact: Economic, Social, and Political Effects
Consequences of Colonialism
For the Colonies
Economics
Economic exploitation was carried out in both industrial and non-traditional ways, with everything geared towards export. For example, India exported products such as tea and sugar cane.
The colonies became suppliers of goods necessary for the functioning of metropolitan industries. While the colonizers placed their articles in their domains, they destroyed all the existing infrastructure in the colonies.
Social
Possibly the most serious consequence.
On the one hand, it caused many casualties, not necessarily from war, but from disease. The colonizers were immune to certain diseases that those of the colony were not, and vice versa. From the 19th century, through the introduction of modern Western medicine, certain diseases could be fought. The existing social structure in the colonies was destroyed because the colonists tried to impose their model of society, which did not always coincide with that of the colonies. The bourgeoisie from the metropolis, composed of merchants, officials, and landowners, occupied the upper levels of society.
Demographics
- In the period between 1850 and 1900, the European population increased considerably. This had several implications:
The poor living conditions of the working class in industrialized countries encouraged many to seek a better life in the territories that were seized. Medical advances allowed for the successful combat of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria, which had previously made vast territories uninhabitable for white men. This migration had two consequences:
- Improving the employment situation in the metropolis
- Avoiding possible social problems
Elsewhere, the indigenous population was simply replaced by foreign settlers.
Politics
In most of the colonies, the European political model was imposed. With decolonization in the 20th century, the political system imposed by the metropolis was still kept rather than the traditional one. Political maps were altered by the creation of artificial boundaries that had nothing to do with the existing configuration, forcing the union or separation of tribal and ethnic groups, thus causing many racial conflicts that have persisted until today. The breakdown was due to the whim of the colonizing countries; in the colonial division, many areas were unknown.
Cultural
Imperialism caused the loss of identity of indigenous people and implemented the standards of conduct, education, and mentality of the colonizers. The language of the rulers was imposed, leading to a high degree of acculturation. In many of these colonies, there is no trace of the traditional colonial cultures because they were spoken languages.
For the Metropolis
Economics
Huge spending was assumed by the colonies, which fueled imperialism.
There was a huge increase in private investment.
There was a huge boost in trade and investment in machinery and tools, since the main objective of the metropolis was to obtain cheap and abundant raw materials and the placement of manufactured products from industries in the colonies.
Demographics
Imperialism caused the displacement of the population of the metropolis to the colonies. In general, that migration to the metropolis was a solution to social problems; immigration to the metropolis was very limited. The mixing of the population was scarce in the metropolis.
Politics
Imperialism was viewed differently by conservatives and progressives, although both were liberal. In the majority of countries, conservatives and progressives agreed on an imperialist policy.
Colonial conflicts were unleashed between the cities around the year 1898. These conflicts triggered a feeling of collective depression. The most important were: Fashoda (1898), Crisis Ultimatum (1890), Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.