Pros And Cons Of Imperialism

Throughout history, colonization and imperialism have presented themselves as positives to the powerful nations and negatives to the nations being conquered. Even today, bitter feelings linger and issues discussed centuries ago present themselves in modern conversation.
The National Park Service’s guide to Christiansted, St. Croix, does not erase the history of colonization in the Americas, but rather masks it. Despite brief mention of slavery and servitude, Christiansted is painted as a bustling capital of sugar trade - which is was - with only the help of the Danish West India and Guinea Company and the King of Denmark - which it was not. In his letter to King Ferdinand, Christopher Columbus states that he has “discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people,” and that he has taken the islands for Spain. He uses the word “possession” as
“There is no native who does not dream at least once a day of setting himself up in the settler’s place” (page 1107, paragraph 3). This difference in role presents itself consistently throughout history - uprisings and rebellions in colonies have always been an issue. In Shooting an Elephant, George Orwell recognizes the horrors of colonization and imperialism, despite himself being stationed as a British police officer in occupied India. His actions and his morals conflict with each other as he tries to make the right decision - to shoot, or not to shoot? In the end, Orwell’s need for respect, his sense of pride, and his fear of rejection by the natives force him to kill the elephant, though his shame and discomfort at the action lingers. “A white man mustn't be frightened in front of the ‘natives’; and so, in general, he is not frightened.” Though the thought of killing the animal made him ill, his duty was to appear at ease. And so, he