Ethnicity was a major factor in the colonization of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia and still has a large impact on LDCs today. The different ethnicities or regional, political, economic and cultural factors were often manipulated by the European rulers to contrivance a ‘divide and conquer’ technique and hegemony in the LDCs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of ethnicity in LDCs in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia on contemporary politics. First, a brief overview of the importance of ethnicity is addressed. Second, a brief discussion of the colonial rulers used ethnicity to their advantage is provided. And, in conclusion, this paper will conclude the overall role of ethnicity in the LDCs in Africa, Latin …show more content…
86). The caste system consisted of six categories. One, a person of full European descent. Two, a person of full African descent. Three, a person of half European and half African descent. Four, a person with a European father and indigenous mother. Five, a person of half African, half indigenous descent. Six, a person of indigenous descent. The caste system and use of ethnicity as a tactic to gain social, economic, and political power in LDCs proved to be a vital source in maintaining hegemony and power in these regions. Lastly, religion was a strong factor in establishing ethnicity and kinship. Many LDCs in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, believed in some form of animism or paganism. The introduction of Christianity and Islam by European rulers provided a basis for them to achieve and maintain power. For example, the case study in Malaysia pinpoints the strife between the poor or peasant populations and Buddhist beliefs, which increased the acceptance of Islam in the region. In conclusion, ethnicity has a strong impact on the success of colonizers. Ethnicity like many other aspects of colonization still has a prevalent role in modern day LDCs. Ethnic background allowed European powers to exploit the culture, tradition, and beliefs of LDCs to their advantage. In retrospect, ethnicity played a role in kinships during the precolonial era and will continue to be a key factor in
After an elite revolution involving the advance of new technology and economy, global changes occurred. Capitalism, socialism, and nationalism were very popular before the fall of Africa, and before imperialism. With these ideas in mind, motivations like: the military, politics, demographic features, economics, and social classes had influence for the future of Africa and countries like Europe, Germany, and Russia were more powerful than Africa. Imperialism shaped when borders were opened, and authority was limited. A nation that is thriving on foreign trade and control outside its borders is more likely to imperialize. Europe’s acquisition towards African colonies in 1880 to 1914 included actions like the spread of religion , Africa’s lost
There is an extensive history empirical power, repeatedly and successfully controlling another state or group of people in order to exploit it economically. In Southeast Asia there were 5 colonial powers; the United Kingdom, France, Dutch, America, and Japan, their primary motives for establishing colonies in the region was to get control of trade routes, to get access to the natural resources and raw materials, and the cheap labor, as well as to establish naval and military bases so that they could amass influence in the region. Prior to World War II, a third of the world 's area was colonized by European colonial powers between the 15th and 19th centuries, and another third of the world 's population were in colonies, dependencies, protectorates, or dominions. In this essay, I will focus on the British and French colonization in Southeast Asia. The British-controlled Burma, most of the Malayan peninsula, and Singapore, which was a strategic port and later became a naval base for the British. Meanwhile, the French controlled the adjoining countries of Vietnamese, Cambodia, and Laos, collectively known as French Indochina. This period of colonization in Southeast Asia brought many changes to the regions society, politics, and the economy. For instance, both colonial powers introduced political changes such as introducing a centralized form of government and changes to the justice systems in many of the colonized countries. There were also social impacts resulting from the
The social construction of race is a topic that is worth discussing. In the United States the black/white color line has historically been rigidly defined and enforced. People have been stereotypical and afraid as long as I can remember. Labeling people as we think they should be based on the color of their skin or just thinking it’s in their biology so they must be this or they must be that. Race is socially constructed and is not a biological construct.
Throughout history and times of colonization change has been seen in a plethora of ways.
The process of decolonization proved to have its own struggles within those who were seeking their independence from imperialist powers. Evidently, these nationalist movements were different in many regions, but they generally shared the sentiment that “Westernization” had taken something away from them. This proved to be the case in Africa and Asia, where the colonization movement from imperialist powers was of strong presence, and that had trouble weakening during and after the Cold War. Part of this struggle was due to the forms of government that were imposed, and because many of these colonies had been in this position for such long time that they were not able to predict upcoming conflicts after their independence. However, in many cases, the problems were more complicated and often implied a combination of reaction to westernization and internal conflicts. Undoubtedly,
Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism are three of the world’s most distinguished belief systems of the past and for some, still in the present. The guidelines they provided influenced the social, political and religious lives of people within the societies that followed them. Hinduism emerged when the Aryans arrived in ancient India and began to combine their ideas with those of the Dravidians, the native population. One major Hindu idea was the caste system, which influenced the social lives of its followers and provided the state with political stability. Confucianism first saw an emergence of numerous followers during the Warring States period, when many philosophers were developing ideas for how to return order to China in this era of chaos. It provided political stability to the state by promoting an ethical system with several virtues and the idea that education could allow for social mobility. Buddhism originated from classical India when many people started looking for a new belief system, as they began to reject the caste system imposed by Hinduism. Buddhism had a minimal political or social impact on its followers, but instead influenced their religious lives. There is no doubt that these three belief systems significantly impacted the lives of their followers, but the manner in which they did this varied for each. Socially, Hinduism had the greatest impact with their caste system. Politically, Confucianism had the greatest impact by promoting virtues and
Between the period from 1880 to 1914, European powers went after overseas empires in Africa. The governments and political leaders of the European powers believed that this colonization of the African empires was necessary to maintain their global influence. A second group of people supposed that African colonization was the result of the greedy Capitalists who \only cared for new resources and markets. The third group of people claimed it to be their job to enlighten and educate the uncivilized people of Africa. Although the political leaders of European powers encouraged colonization of African empires to advance their nation’s global influence, others argued that it was only for the profiteering of the Capitalists who sought new
Myths of Harmony by Marixa Lasso is a harrowing account of racial tension and deceit in the Age of Revolution in Colombia. The main theme of the book is that racial harmony is a myth that was cultivated during Colombia’s fight for independence (9). The author states that the lower classes were not any better off after the Revolution than before (4). The culture was known for caciquismo (patron-client relations) and fraudulent elections. These claimed racial equality, but in reality discriminated against certain races (4). Lasso discusses the role of the pardos - free Africans - community as a whole and their role in the political landscape. Racial identities were formed during the Age of Revolution by the struggles of the time period (152). The colonial wars during the Age of Revolution shaped the racial identities of numerous nations. Through racial visionaries, these nations chose a racial identity.
How do words affect our view on history and do our modern terms change our perception of the times being examined? Robert Bartlett’s usage of terms such as “ethnicity” and “colonialism”, addresses an important question of modern concepts in our understanding of the medieval past. The purpose of this paper is to make connections of the key ideas of Robert Bartlett’s use of these words ethnicity and colonization in his book “The Hanged Man” drawing from his own explanations from his articles, “Medieval and Modern Concepts of Race and Ethnicity” and “Medieval and Modern Colonialism.” Bartlett attempts, in his own discussions, to define these terms in relation to its historical contexts. His attempt in clarifying these two terms has been critiqued by other historian in other publications offered by William Chester Jordan and Francis West. Their critiques will further reveal the continuing debate on the ever-changing stance for implementing the words ethnicity and colonialism.
Imperialism has been one of the most powerful forces in human history, serving to set the foundation of our modern world. While this has led to the formation of a global society where cultures, ideas, and innovations are spread across countries, imperialism has also left a history of exploitation, racism, and violence that is still affecting the world today. Imperial relationships are always imbalanced when it comes to power and influence; that is, one group (known as the metropole) maintains authority and control over another group (known as the periphery) with economic, political, and cultural dominance (Spiegel 2012). There are many reasons why one group chooses to dominate the other, such as expanding territory, extracting raw resources to fuel economic development, or to spread their beliefs (i.e. religion) (Spiegel 2012). In spite of these varied reasons, one of the main motivators for imperialism began with competition between empires.
The study of British colonialism is a rather new field with much to discuss and a lot more to debate. The recent recognition of new nation-states that were once under the control of Britain was a growing phenomenon and one that continues to play a large role in today’s global politics. Since the rather recent period of these new nations, new study’s have been done into the history of a) the peoples that inhabited the land before Britain, b) the way Britain occupied and control and land, and now c) post-Britain. This is a growing topic in the historical field because seventy-five years ago there was no thought that Britain would relieve control of India or Nigeria. That is why post-British colonialism is important to today, because it is a
People, no matter their race or color, have always wanted to be successful, live comfortably, and provide for their families. While the definitions for success and comfort have changed over time, a constant truth is that hard work and sacrifice are required to reach these goals. Moving from an individual to the societal or political level, for many races and nations, progress can measure success. Ethnic groups want progress towards equality, while nations, particularly those in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, want progress towards economic and industrial progress towards leveling with the West; they also wish for political respect and autonomy. Since the end of the colonial era, there has been a massive struggle by previously colonized nations
Race and ethnicity are commonly used as synonyms for each other as we encounter many diverse individuals throughout the world. Sociologist on the other hand, find very distinct understandings to how these terms, while different, hold correlation to one another. Max Weber, a founding figure of sociology, was one of the first to define race and ethnicity. He stood with the idea of essentialism which presumes "that and individual 's identity depends on fundamental and innate characteristics that are deep-seated, inherited, and unchangeable." (Pearson, pg 241) As for ethnicity, Weber described it as subjective belief in relations to a groups common descent. While sociologist today may disagree with Weber 's theory, they do apply this idea of subjectivity and have correlated it to that of not only group definitions but of our own perceptions of biological similarity.
Coethinicity argues that tribal identification is the most socially salient identity in Kampala, Uganda. Based on a series of experiments, the authors of Coethnicity found that homogenous ethnic identity was crucial to the pursuit of the common good based on the shared ethnic norm of reciprocity. Contrary to this idea, I will argue that this assumption is empirically questionable and ultimately unhelpful in the broader quest to understand how “ethnicity” and politics relate because there are other factors involved that Coethnicity does not take into account. Before expanding on this idea I will first offer a deeper account into Coethnicity’s findings. Next, I will develop my argument using the ideas of Burbanker, Bates, and Posner. With these accounts I will demonstrate Coethnicity over simplifies politics in Africa and there other factors that should be considered like motivation and other external factors.
How should an empire assert their claim to territory and how should they govern it? This question is important because there are a number of methods an empire could employ presiding over a colony. For example the French empire employed a system call direct rule. The French rulers wanted to assimilate or incorporate the peoples of West Africa . The British however preferred a system called indirect rule and it was applied to many of their West African colonies including Nigeria and Ghana. It has proven to be detrimental to problems in Africa and can be linked to the political past of the British colonial government. The goal of this paper is to expose the reasons for indirect rule in British colonies and the negative impact of post colonial development in West Africa.