Positive And Negative Effects Of Imperialism

Imperialism: Positives and Negatives Edward W. Said once stated that “Every empire, however, tells itself and the world that it is unlike all other empires, that its mission is not to plunder and control but to educate and liberate.” Countries often justify their means of imperialism, whether civilized or barbaric, by saying that it will also benefit the country they are conquering. In many cases, it does not. Imperialism is defined as a policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially. Imperialism has a positive and negative effect on the colonizer and colony that can be seen through gaining land, rising markets and spreading diseases. Gaining land is a priority and loss when imperializing. There are many reasons as to why a country may want a piece of land. For the colonizer, gaining new land means more natural resources. Britain specifically colonized India for its abundance in raw materials and goods such as tea and indigo. For the colony

As European countries began taking Africa, they did not know that they were also bringing in plagues of illnesses. Many Africans died of new diseases such a smallpox. Europeans also brought back diseases through merchant and trade ships. A virus called Yellow fever became a widespread epidemic across Europe. Consequently, both the colonizer and the colony were negatively affected. Through gaining land, rising markets and spreading diseases, one can clearly see the positive and negative effects Imperialism has on the colonizer and colony. When imperializing, gaining land is often a priority. Both parties (colonizer and colony) tip the balance of markets as goods are produced and sold. Progress and development in both parties are affected by sickness and disease. Imperialism is not always a win-win situation. However, the main goal, ultimately, for any country is to build an