The Advantages and Disadvantages of Colonialism

Colonialism is dominating or conquering a territory and involving the subjugation of one people to another (Kohn, 2011). At the end of 15th century, Portugal and Spain explored the seas to find another route to Asia through the Mediterranean Sea for three things – God, Gold and Glory. Their mission was to introduce Christianity/Catholicism to the Asian natives, find gold and claim glory by colonizing territories. They were also hoping or expecting to take control of a territory in Asia particularly a distant island somewhere in the Japanese archipelago so that they could have a direct trade with Asia.

Colonialism has its positive and negative effects. This paper aims to provide the advantages and the disadvantages of colonialism. It will identify whether colonialism has brought further constructive effects on colonized countries or if it only caused destruction of a country’s self growth and development. Colonialism does not simply mean bringing civilization to the concerned party; most of the time, slavery and moral degradation are brought forth to the people. Colonialism may change the culture, traditions, and values in a positive and negative way. Negative and positive traits and other social values may be passed down to the indigenous people. It now defines their lifestyle, government, morals and social beings.

Advantages of Colonialism

• Transformed ecological systems

Ecological systems of the colonized territory are definitely transformed intentionally or unintentionally by colonial rule. The colonists introduced new plant foods and create new agriculture to the colonized territory. “American savannahs were converted into corn fields” (Parcelle, 2009). England’s native crops like corn and tobacco were also cultivated in America (Scott, 2001). The British colonizers introduced new...