Imperialism through Asian, African and American Perception

Imperialism in Asian, African and American Perception. Definition of Imperialism. Imperialism is a not a new tendency but a very ancient practice of governing the masses. It denotes a vast territorial area populated by many different races ruled by one government and dominated by one of these races. All empires from Alexander to Roman, Islamic, and European empires were based upon a policy of imperialism. In the Middle Ages Papacy and Roman Empires also evolved the idea of imperialism. Modern Imperialism owes its origin to the geographical discoveries resulting in commercial and colonial exploitation of non-European regions. Imperialism also received a strong encouragement from the strong Evangelism of the Reformation, fully attempting to subjugate and Christianize the heathen parts of the world. Imperialism was the process of extending the rule beyond the boundaries of ones original state. Imperialism established a artificial, ephemeral relationship, in which one state uses direct military or economic means, to control the political sovereignty of another political entity any where in the world. Imperialism therefore entailed the policy of extending the control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition of empires, either through direct control of territories or through indirect methods of exerting control on the politics or economies of other countries. Imperialists ingloriously and shamefully hold the belief that the acquisition and maintenance of empires is a positive good. This control took the form of geopolitical machinations, military adventures, and financial maneuvers. Imperialism left grievous wounds, which are still bleeding, in the world. It was a policy pursued by imperialist powers aimed at creating an empire, extends its political or economic power over territories of other people. It involves exploitation of the weaker by the stronger with impunity for centuries. It was extended to include economic penetration and domination of markets, sources of supply and investment outlets. Imperial power exercised control over other states through control of minds of men and imposing its own ideology. Western writer Michael Barrett Brown defines imperialism as “a complex of economic, political and military relations by which the less economically developed lands are subjected to the more economically developed.” Morgenthau defines imperialism as “the extension of a state’s power beyond its borders”. Motives of Imperialist Countries. National Power and Prestige, Territorial Expansion and Occupation, and Material Gain. The western historian has mentioned western Nationalism, National defense, balance of power, economic gain, Religious and Humanitarian motives of Imperialism. The disastrous results of imperialism reveal different and catastrophic motives of Imperialism. The motives of imperialism in the eyes and perception of Imperialist European countries were very positive and favourable for the world. The history proved that the motives were negative and disastrous for the people of occupied territories of America, Africa and Asia. The Imperialist countries of Europe became rich eve after the destruction of both world wars. The people of occupied territories remain poor even after their withdrawal and after decades. It is natural instinct to exalt ones nation, society or state and increase its influence beyond limits. This spirit is called imperialism found in the European Countries who extended their empires to the entire world. They embarked upon policy territorial expansion at the cost of humanity. Territorial expansion depends on National power. Those countries that had power successfully expanded their territories. Powerful empires irrespective of ideology, region anxiously tries to subjugate neighbouring areas and other parts of world. Their motive was to conquer more and more land under their control to enhance national power and prestige. The British always prided in the fact that the sun never sets on the British Empire. This expansion commenced from the time immemorial culminated with the Europeans imperialist and Colonialist. They marched to all corners of world and left scars of destruction. They subjugated North America, South America, Africa and Asia with brutal policies of perishing humanity. They pursued brutal policy of Imperialism for the purpose of gaining natural resources and human resources. The European powers pursued to secure raw materials, markets for surplus goods and investment opportunities for their surplus capital. The imperialist nations pursued this policy to maintain balance of power in their favour. Religious and Humanitarian motive. The Imperialist powers pursued imperialist policy for economic, religious and ideological consideration and accommodated its surplus population in occupied territories. The western nations justified their policy on the ground that they were ordained by Nature to civilize the backward people and pass on the blessing of their religion to them. They pursued policy in the name of serving humanity. The missionary activities of Imperialist powers converted millions backward people to their religion in America, Africa and Asia. The numbers of Christian were increased manifold in all occupied territories. The poor people converted their religion only due to improve their economic conditions or due to fear of execution. The defeat of Imperialist countries reversed the conversion trend and majority of Christians are converting to Islam. The Imperialists achieved their all motives and still ruling the minds of liberated people. Contrivance, Techniques, and Methods of Imperialist Powers to Perpetuate Control over the subjugated people of World. The foreign markets were needed for the utilization of surplus goods and surplus capital. This results in the enslavement of more and more non-capitalist and even capitalist areas in order to transform them into markets for their surplus goods and surplus capital. The imperialist powers have adopted various brutal policies to perpetuate their illegal rule over occupied territories of world. They resorted to different techniques depending circumstances. These were brutal military conquest, Economic control and cultural and ideological control. They brought territories under their control through military conquest, obtained concessions through forced treatise, frauds, and economic penetration. These naked techniques were adopted by the different European powers to carve out extensive colonial empires and procure their ulterior interests at the cost of humanity. Negative or Evil Impacts, Effects, and Results of Imperialism on the People of World. The negative impact of imperialism is glaring because of its disastrous impact upon mankind. Imperialism promoted international jealousy and disruption. It is vindicated that both World Wars were the out come of the imperialism. Imperialism was the symbol of political, economic, cultural and ideological subjugation. Its effects were Economic exploitation, destroyed native culture and morality encourages racial discrimination, and promoted and created conditions for war with co-religionist. The imperialist policy has been injurious for the native people of territories. They brutally killed and eliminated Native Americans in American Continent. It was based on the principle of superior and subordinates relationship, gave rise to the feeling of inferiority among the native people. The subjugated people were infused immoral practices and their moral and religious values were deliberately profaned and adulterated. The imperialist power exploited the resources of occupied territories. They plundered and transferred wealth to imperialist countries of Europe. The people of occupied countries grow poor for next centuries. Poverty in Asian, African and American countries is the result of the exploitative policy followed by these Imperialist powers. Imperialist powers divided Europe into two hostile camps and their annexing design brought mayhem and decay to the humanity. Imperialist tendencies always actuated the people to dominate the others and forced them to accept their customs, traditions and institutions. Imperialist brought about the suppression of local population. It completely smashed the richness and variety for the sake of institutional unity. Imperialism becomes a perpetual source of domination by a particular section of countries to satiate their greed and lust. It breeds fanaticism and oppression. It crushed the whole people for the sake of a distinctive class, which was the ruling class. Imperialism proved an evil full of corrosions and cruelties. Positive Effects, Results of Imperialism in the eyes of European. No doubt, it had positive effects on the people of world. It united the subjugated people of world and encouraged them to fight for salvation. The Imperialist countries developed these territories for their benefit but after liberation newly, emerged countries are reaping the fruits of development. Imperialism united them for political unity and they waged war against imperialist powers with the help of enemies countries and ideologies. The imperialist policy also proved beneficial to the native people in many ways. It exposes them to new civilization, culture and values. They benefited immensely from their masters rich civilization. Imperialist policy had aroused sense of unity among people of Asia, Africa and America. The imperialist had contributed to the development of backward areas of Asia, Africa, and America and acquainted them with the process of industrialization. The people got modern education and training. All this contributed to their awakening and encouraged them to fight for their independence. Wish you Good Luck. Prof Qayum Mangi