Although imperialism and colonialism can be understood as the same concept, these two concepts are very different from each other. In this book, Jurgen Osterhammel talks about the relation between imperialism and colonialism as well as the point in which these two ideas separate. Imperialism and colonialism have in common that they were greatly aided by innovations in technology. As D. Headrick would point out in his book Tools of European Technology and The Expansion of European Colonial Empires, “Technological changes were indispensable to the expansion of Europe in the nineteenth century and profoundly affected its timing and location.”(p.234). Technological developments such as the machine gun and the steamboat made it easier and faster for the Europeans to get ahold of new territories. However, as D Headrick states,” Technology did not necessarily translate into systematic and efficient rule over conquered territories”.(p.288) This idea marks one of the biggest differences between imperialism and colonialism, since just taking over a territory did not guarantee that the native population wouldn’t revolt. Colonialists addressed this problem by exercising a territorial domination over other countries, or ethnic groups by imposing the conqueror’s culture and customs into the conquered territory. However, imperialism includes not only the expansion and capture of lands, but also a focus on attaining a political and economic sovereignty on a worldwide level. Therefore, colonialism can be interpreted as one of the several steps of imperialism. in the words of the author himself, “imperialism presupposes the will and the ability of an imperial center to define as impression its own national interests and enforce them worldwide in the anarchy of the international system. Imperialism thus implies not only colonial politics, but also pawns in global power games..” (p. 21). Also imperialism took place when appropriate motives and adequate means were met. An imperialistic invasion arose from these two aspects. The first aspect has to do with political motives. These political motives include international rivalries, naval strategy, the instability of imperial frontiers, the diversion of popular attention from domestic problems, or the influence of pressure groups on political decision makers. The other aspect is economic motives: the need for raw materials, secure markets, or investment opportunities. In analyzing other key features that separate these two concepts, we can see that the imperialist idea is completely different to the colonialist ideals. While Imperialist ideas are focused on keeping an equilibrium in global power and a worldwide capitalist penetration of large economic areas, they are prone to using colonies as bargains in their negotiations. “ A colonialist attitude, by contrast, emphasized the virtues of rightful acquisition , permanence, and responsibility and considers colonial subjects as “entrusted” to the care of the colonizers.( p 22)”Another feature that separates these two ideals is the fact that Imperialism cannot happen without colonization, however colonization can independently take place without imperialism. Colonization was able to be controlled through military conquest as well as without occupying a colony’s territories by penetrating indirectly into its economy. An example of this is given by the author when he talks about the Netherlands, “Netherlands became the prime example of colonial empires without imperialism. Between the World Wars, Holland was the third largest European colonial power after Great Britain and France. At the same time, it was scarcely an imperialist power, lacking as it did both international political ambitions and military might, and also lacking the economic option of being “informal” to any significant degree beyond its own colony Indonesia.” (p. 22) In their book, authors Burbank and Cooper talk about Imperialism in part was rushed by the European super powers’ struggle for world domination, and their effort to prevent each other from a monopolization of the colonies. “The reality of Europe’s empress meant that each sought to prevent another’s monopoly over a shrinking pool of global resources.” (p.314)
Unlike the meaning of colonialism which modern people are familiar with, colonialism in the ancient world represented that an ethnic group or country would discard a long-standing land and move to another land. according to the book, it was caused by “overpopulation, ecological bottlenecks, pressures from expanding neighbors, ethnic or religious persecution, enticement by rich centers of civilization.” (Osterhammel, 5) Therefore, migrated land had not the subordinated relationship with the original region. so, the land was able to keep the same social form as before. Not only total migration of society, but also mass individual migration belongs to this category. “the emigrants do not create new colonies, but are integrated into existing multi-ethnic societies like American Chinatown.” (Osterhammel, 5) “forced migration of Africans to America resulting from slave trade, as well as the collie trade with Chinese workers in the Pacific.”
However, present-day of colonialism is closer to the meaning of exploitation colony more than immigration colony. In other word, a sovereignty of the land is handed over from indigenous people to the other countries. Modern colony can be described as “an entire society is robbed of its historical line of development, externally manipulated and transformed according to the needs and interests of the colonial rulers.” (Osterhammel, 15)
Another distinguishing characteristic of modern colonialism is a given by the East India Company. Private companies established, attained a trade exclusive right. The East India could start to colonize other countries with its own private armies whereas mass individual and entire populations were subjected to be colonized in ancient times.
Colonialism: is a form of imperialism, a system of territorial acquisition through expansion and domination.
Imperialism: Due to the impact of capitalism, the Western powers invade and dominate other countries to expand trade and commercial routes under the political, military, and legal rule for their own national interests.
Colony: A particular type of sociopolitical organization which is dominated by a mother country.
Empire: A sovereignty that expands and annexes to other territories by methods of war
Colonialist Ideology:
Is the way of thinking in which colonialist justify their colonial rule which arose from cultural, racial,and feelings of moral superiority. First, they believed that western civilization must be disseminated to the backward countries for the the benefit of the world economy. Second, Colonialist believed that non-europeans were incapable of achieving cultural accomplishments that Europeans could achieve.
Technology are the innovations in engineering and sciences which became the greatest tool of the Europeans in their conquest of the colonies.
Motives and means are the reasons for the Europeans to colonize other territories and the methods which were they used to achieve them.
emancipation is the liberation of the former colonies from the ruling and influence of their european conquerors.
Questions for Further Inquiry
1) Is colonization the main cause to lead globalization?
2) was colonization really helpful for dominated nations to grow their economical, and political development? or it actually deprives of the chance to increase faster by themselves.
3) how much did resistance of occupation affected the rate of colonization.