The Imperialism - A Global Phenomenon And Its Effects

Question: Imperialism has been the most powerful force in world history over the last four or five centuries, carving up whole continents while oppressing indigenous peoples and obliterating entire civilizations." Defend or condemn the argument by giving examples of the interaction between Western industrial powers and traditional, non Western societies. Were these contacts essentially positive or negative? Answer: I agree with the argument as imperialism has completely transformed the world and was essentially a global phenomenon. The effect of imperialism is visible in the form of slave trade and practice of Apartheid in Africa. One of the core aspects of imperialism globally has been to establish the superiority of the While men or the imperialist not only in economic and political terms but also in cultural terms. As a result, changes were introduced in the traditional communities so as to suit the interest of the imperialist forces. A case in point is that of India where the traditional Jajmani system was dismantled as monetisation became every pervasive which brought havoc to the life of peasants and artisans and led to the altering of the entire social fabric (Brower Sanders, 2013). Further, another agenda of imperialism was to inculcate its value system and its religion (Christianity) and hence the ethos and value of indigenous people were mocked at (Maier, nd). With regards to the contacts, they had both positive and negative influences. On one hand, they laid the seeds of modern education and industries but there was loss of indigenous culture and practices as they were looked down upon (Brower Sanders, 2013). Besides, it evoked nationalism in the various societies that were essentially fragmented on lines of caste, creed religion which is positive. However, economically these contacts were disastrous for the non-Western countries as there was massive plunge of wealth even though later the seeds of industrialisation were also sowed by the Western imperialists (Maier, nd). References Brower, D. R. and Sanders, T. (2013), The World in the Twentieth Century (7th edition), New York: Pearson Maier, B. (nd), Imperialism: political, economic, social consequences, Retrieved on September 1, 2016 from https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/bob-maier-imperialism-political-economic-social-consequences-by-bob-maier-black-red-number-1-se