Colonization is a Positive

Nations in Europe wanted to exert their power on other nations around them. To accomplish this, the Europeans decided to branch out from their homelands. Their goal was to bring back resources not found in their country and gain new land for their people to live on. This act would become known as European Imperialism. This was a time of great expansion and colonization. These actions had many consequences for Europe and the nations that they colonized. Majority of these consequences are positive and have helped the world grow.

Technology is one of the many benefits that the colonized nations received when the European countries started their exploration. In India the country gained new roads and railroads to make travel easier for people and goods. In Africa the people fought with clubs and bows and arrows before European imperialism. The Europeans brought them guns. This revolutionized their military. Australia is another country that received new technology due to European colonization. They were introduced to steel and new tools to make building an easier process. They also began to use domesticated dogs for hunting. A huge positive effect for them was the introduction to modern medicine.

Along with gaining new technology from the European colonization, these countries also received new ideas and goods through trade. Southeast Asia became a trading empire and started using new trading techniques due to the influence of the Europeans in their land. They developed safer trade routes and began trading with countries outside of Europe. Australia is still very connected to Britain in the realm of trade. Many goods and ideas are shared and traded to this day between these countries. India had many raw goods like spices and cotton that the Europeans could not get in their home country. They would send these things back to the mother country and bring resources and goods like horses to the people in India. This would be the beginning to a long lasting trade relationship.

Another positive effect that has impacted the countries colonized by Europeans is a stable government. Before the British came to India, they did not have a strong government and this caused some chaos in the country. Now they are the world’s largest democracy. Japan’s government also has European roots. They used to have a feudal system that also put an emphasis on the power of women. In China, the Europeans tried to take over the government. Although this was a negative affect in the beginning, it ended well. The people were not offered jobs in the new government right away, but when they took control again, they used the government system that was set up.

Although there are many positive effects of European colonization, there are also a few negative effects. The Europeans often times came to a new land and took control of the government and the country. While this limits the rights of the people, it also created a more stable country. These people did have to fight for their rights, but they came out stronger and more united. When the Europeans did give these countries their independence or left, this caused many problems in the country. Because the Europeans left, the native people no longer had their main source of new ideas and technology. This was a short term problem. This made the people have to work harder to think of their own ideas and make sure their country would be able to survive on its own.

The consequences of European colonization had an overall positive effect on the world. Advancement in technology helped the world grow in many ways. New trade relationships led to the furthering of these new ideas for technology. Stable government is another benefit of European colonization. European exploration and colonization would leave a lasting impact on the world that can be seen to this day.

Works Cited

Class Presentations

“Colonisation.” Australians Together australianstogether.org.au/discover/australian-history/

colonisation/.

He, Tao. “Guided History.” Guided History Stalin’s Purge and Its Effects on World War II

Comments, blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/moderneurope/tao-he/.