Imperialism and Colonialism

Imperialism:
- Definition: Formation of an empire; the practice, theory, and attitudes of a

dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory (Said 1993).
- Distinction from Colonialism: Imperialism is the overarching ideology,
while colonialism refers to the actual implantation of settlements in distant
territories.
- Emergence: The term 'imperialism' as a conscious policy emerged around
1880, previously associated with benevolent European expansion.
- Classical Imperialism: Described as the expansionist policies of modern
industrial powers from 1880, marked by the Berlin Congo Conference and
the 'scramble for Africa.'
- Historical Roots: Extends back to Roman times; the Roman Empire's
strategies and rhetoric influenced modern imperial practices.
- Europeanization: Occurred in three waves: age of discovery (15th-16th
centuries),
mercantilism (17th-18th centuries), (Merchant Capitalism)
and imperialism (19th-early 20th centuries).
- Economic Factors: Hobson's theory suggests that surplus production led
nations to acquire colonies for new markets; however, political strategy and
nationalism also played significant roles.
- Ideological Aspects: Imperialism involved a belief in European cultural
dominance and superiority, often justified through humanitarian and
civilizing rhetoric.
- End of Classical Imperialism: By 1914, classical imperialism had ended,
but its legacy evolved into globalism in the late 20th century.
Colonialism:
- Definition: A specific form of cultural exploitation developed with European
expansion over the last 400 years; often a consequence of imperialism.
- Distinction from Imperialism: While imperialism is the ideology,
colonialism is the practice of establishing settlements.
- Economic Context: Post-Renaissance colonial expansion coincided with
the development of modern capitalism, viewing colonies primarily as
sources of raw materials and places for new markets.
- Racial Ideology: The ideology of race became crucial in constructing
unequal intercultural relations, often depicting colonized peoples as inferior.
- Civilizing Mission: Colonialism was often framed as a virtuous task to
educate and uplift 'inferior' cultures, masking the exploitative nature of the
practice.
- Resistance and Independence: Colonized societies often engaged in
prolonged struggles for independence, which were typically met with violent
opposition.
- Legacy: Colonialism did not end with independence; it often transformed
into neo-colonialism, where former colonial powers continued to exert
influence.
(Dominions, protectorates, etc)
Further Reading:
- Imperialism: Bakhtin, Bhabha, Kraniauskas, Puri, Radhakrishnan,
Ramazani, Smith, Stoneham, Young.
- Colonialism: Said, Hobsbawm, Hobson, Koebner, Robinson, Gallagher.
Imperialism:
- Definition and Scope:

- Imperialism refers to the formation of an empire, characterized by the
domination of one nation over others, often involving political, economic,
and cultural control.
- Edward Said defines it as the practice, theory, and attitudes of a
dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory (Said 1993).
- Historical Emergence:
- The term 'imperialism' as a conscious policy emerged around 1880,
marking a shift from earlier notions of benevolent expansion to aggressive
acquisition of colonies.
- The Berlin Congo Conference (1884-1885) initiated the 'scramble for
Africa,' where European powers divided African territories among
themselves.
- Classical Imperialism:
- Described as the expansionist policies of modern industrial powers from
1880, classical imperialism is characterized by aggressive territorial
acquisition for economic and strategic advantages.
- Example: The British Empire's expansion in Africa, particularly in Egypt
(occupied in 1882) and the Congo, where economic interests in resources
like rubber and ivory drove colonization.
- Historical Roots:
- The roots of imperialism extend back to the Roman Empire, which
established strategies and rhetoric that influenced later European imperial
practices.
- The term "imperium" defined sovereignty and was defended by figures
like Cicero against monarchical interpretations, highlighting the oligarchic
nature of power.
- Europeanization Waves:
- Europeanization occurred in three major waves:
1. Age of Discovery (15th-16th centuries): Exploration and colonization
of the Americas.
2. Age of Mercantilism (17th-18th centuries): Economic competition
among European powers for resources and trade routes.
3. Age of Imperialism (19th-early 20th centuries): Aggressive territorial
expansion, exemplified by the British Raj in India (1858-1947), where
Britain controlled vast resources and imposed its governance.
- Economic Factors:
- J.A. Hobson argued that surplus production in industrialized
nations led to the acquisition of colonies for new markets (Hobson
1902).
- Example: The British Empire's reliance on India as a market for
manufactured goods and a source of raw materials, leading to significant
economic exploitation.
- Ideological Aspects:
- Imperialism was underpinned by a belief in European cultural superiority,
often justified through humanitarian rhetoric and the civilizing mission.
- Example: The rhetoric of "The White Man's Burden," popularized by
Rudyard Kipling, framed colonialism as a moral obligation to civilize
'barbaric' nations.
- End of Classical Imperialism:

- By 1914, classical imperialism transitioned into globalism, adapting to
changing dynamics of world power.
- The aftermath of World War I saw the dismantling of empires, with
former colonies seeking independence.
---
Colonialism:
- Definition and Distinction:

- Colonialism is a specific form of cultural exploitation that involves the
implantation of settlements in distant territories, often as a consequence of
imperialism.
- Edward Said distinguishes between imperialism (the ideology) and
colonialism (the practice) (Said 1993).
- Economic Context:
- Post-Renaissance colonial expansion coincided with the rise of modern
capitalism, where colonies were viewed primarily as sources of raw
materials.
- Example: The British exploitation of Caribbean sugar plantations, which
relied on enslaved labor and generated immense wealth for the British
economy.
- Racial Ideology:
- The ideology of race became integral to colonialism, depicting colonized
peoples as inferior and justifying their subjugation.
- Example: The racial theories that emerged during the 19th century,
which categorized non-European peoples as 'primitive' and 'uncivilized,'
legitimizing colonial rule.
- Civilizing Mission:
- Colonialism was often framed as a benevolent endeavor to educate and
uplift 'inferior' cultures, masking its exploitative nature.
- Example: The missionary activities in Africa, where figures like David
Livingstone promoted the idea of "Christianity, Commerce, and
Civilization," intertwining religious conversion with economic exploitation.
“When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the Missionaries had the
Bible. They taught how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the
land and we had the Bible.”
― Jomo Kenyatta
- Resistance and Independence:

- Colonized societies engaged in prolonged struggles for independence,
often met with violent repression.
- Example: The Indian independence movement, led by figures like
Mahatma Gandhi, sought to end British colonial rule through nonviolent
resistance, culminating in independence in 1947.
- Legacy of Colonialism:
- Colonialism did not end with independence; it often transformed into
neo-colonialism, where former colonial powers continued to exert influence.
- Example: The continued economic and political influence of Western
nations in post-colonial states, such as the involvement of the United
States in Latin America during the Cold War, exemplifying neo-colonial
practices.
Further Reading:
- Imperialism: Bakhtin, Bhabha, Kraniauskas, Puri, Radhakrishnan,
Ramazani, Smith, Stoneham, Young.
- Colonialism: Said, Hobsbawm, Hobson, Koebner, Robinson, Gallagher.
Imperialism:
- Definition: Refers to the formation of an empire and the extension of one

nation's domination over others. It encompasses the practice, theory, and
attitudes of a dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory.
- Historical Context: The term 'imperialism' as a conscious policy emerged

around 1880, marking a shift from benevolent expansion to aggressive
acquisition of colonies.
- Classical Imperialism: Characterized by aggressive territorial acquisition

for economic and strategic advantages, particularly from 1880 onwards.
(Sramble for africa 1884)
- Historical Roots: Extends back to the Roman Empire, influencing later
European imperial practices and rhetoric.
- Europeanization Waves: Occurred in three major waves:

1. Age of Discovery (15th-16th centuries)
2. Age of Mercantilism (17th-18th centuries)
3. Age of Imperialism (19th-early 20th centuries)
- Economic Factors: Surplus production in industrialized nations led to the

acquisition of colonies for new markets.
- Ideological Aspects: Underpinned by a belief in European cultural
superiority, often justified through humanitarian rhetoric and the civilizing
mission.
- End of Classical Imperialism: Transitioned into globalism by 1914,

adapting to changing dynamics of world power.
---
Colonialism:
- Definition and Distinction: A specific form of cultural exploitation involving

the implantation of settlements in distant territories, often as a
consequence of imperialism.
- Economic Context: Post-Renaissance colonial expansion coincided with

the rise of modern capitalism, viewing colonies primarily as sources of
raw materials.
- Racial Ideology: Integral to colonialism, depicting colonized peoples as

inferior and justifying their subjugation.
- Civilizing Mission: Framed as a benevolent endeavor to educate and uplift

'inferior' cultures, masking its exploitative nature.
- Resistance and Independence: Colonized societies engaged in prolonged

struggles for independence, often met with violent repression.
Eg- India, africa
- Legacy of Colonialism: Transformed into neo-colonialism, where former

colonial powers continued to exert influence in post-colonial states.
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Imperialism:

- Definition: Formation of an empire; the practice, theory, and attitudes of a

- Definition and Scope:

- End of Classical Imperialism:

- Definition and Distinction:

- Resistance and Independence:

- Definition: Refers to the formation of an empire and the extension of one

- Historical Context: The term 'imperialism' as a conscious policy emerged

- Classical Imperialism: Characterized by aggressive territorial acquisition

- Europeanization Waves: Occurred in three major waves:

- Economic Factors: Surplus production in industrialized nations led to the

- End of Classical Imperialism: Transitioned into globalism by 1914,

- Definition and Distinction: A specific form of cultural exploitation involving

- Economic Context: Post-Renaissance colonial expansion coincided with

- Racial Ideology: Integral to colonialism, depicting colonized peoples as

- Civilizing Mission: Framed as a benevolent endeavor to educate and uplift

- Resistance and Independence: Colonized societies engaged in prolonged

- Legacy of Colonialism: Transformed into neo-colonialism, where former

Attach pdf routledge

Could you makes notes on imperialism and Colonialism?

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