Critical Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of European Colonialism

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Critical Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of European Colonialism

Wolfgang Reinhard defines colonialism as ‘differential development’ concerning historical ideas (Reinhard et al. 1967). According to Gregory Knapp, South America became the first continent to be encountered by Europeans in the 14th century during Columbus’ third voyage in 1498. This event marked the end of the pre-Columbian period and signified the beginning of colonial rule which lasted until independence (Knapp 1991)

There are several practical applications of European colonialism and imperialism. It includes the following; establishment of trade systems, development of urban and coastal areas, the agricultural and industrial revolution, cultural diversity, and divisions. The goal of this literature review is to identify practical applications of colonialism and imperialism. It also seeks to address implications and possibilities for further studies on the legacy of European colonialism and imperialism. This argument has been supported by various empirical pieces of evidence involving population density.

Gregory Knapp has pointed out the situation of South America in the late pre-Columbian times. Agriculturalists occupied most of South America and major exceptions were in the far southern Chile, Patagonia, and the Pampas occupied by hunters and gatherers. The settlement was dispersed and formed households and small villages (KNAPP ET AL. 1991)

Before colonial rule, the population of South America is estimated at 24 million (Denevan,1992a, 1992b). This estimation was based on collating and comparing evidence from settlements and agricultural landforms. Reconstructing population density is a key problem because this finding was based only on settlements and agricultural landforms. During colonial rule, the population declined and was reduced due to relocation.

The proximity of European and indigenous generated so many interchanges and hybridity (Huberman and Socolow,1996). Irrigation improved soil which led to an increase in crop productivity. Drier and lower parts of the continent were utilized for the cultivation of crops e.g. sugarcane. During the European colonial period, Coca production was replaced with sugarcane production.

The organization of regional economies and infrastructure served the need and demands of the rapidly growing towns and cities. At the global level, division of labor was emphasized in the production of high-value goods that were suitable for transportation and transaction. The global-scale commodities were precious metals and sugar. At the local scale, the trade involved was concentrated on leathers, mules, grains, and cotton textiles. To the present day, European colonies have continued participation in global trade and have led to the exchange of goods and services with unpredictable environmental impacts.

According to Knapp, the development of environmental science in European colonies has been slow. Proposals for environmental protection will benefit from the long Iberian tradition of interest in agronomy and humanist relations with nature but will continue to struggle with the lack of a wilderness ideal.

These shreds of evidence presented by these literature reviews show the significance of the legacy behind European colonialism and imperialism.

Conclusion

The legacy of European colonization and imperialism is a key concept in understanding the events, and occurrences that led to colonial encirclement and expansion. It provides a critical background in knowing the history of Europe from the early modern period to the phase of colonization.

The current state of knowledge shows that European colonialism serves as an integral part of the world’s colonial encirclement. Generally, available knowledge has a profound understanding of colonialism and imperialism concerning processes and events of the topic; however, a continuation of the current research with consistent and strengthened methodologies will help justify the impacts of European colonialism and imperialism on the environment. It will also help in environmental conservation due to the emerging global warming issue.

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