The Positive Side

Have you ever stopped to wonder how so many countries came to existence? Most Americans know how America was founded through colonization from Britain, but do they really understand what this means? Colonization is when a country in power decides to send a group of people (prisoners or commoners) to an unfamiliar location for expansion and resources. The most common examples of colonizing countries include Britain, Spain, and France, as well as many other countries in Europe from the years 1400 to 1600. Though colonization did slow down, it picked up again during the 1800s due to the industrial revolution. Now, this may sound fine, but many people struggle to find positives in this act. However strong this controversy is, the act European colonization was very beneficial through the spread of modern advancements and knowledge, the learning of new cultures, and the development of new trade routes. 

Knowledge is a powerful thing. When colonizing new territories the colonizers soon came to meet native groups to the new land. Some of these native groups were very advanced before the new arrivals, as seen with the Cusco people of South America who were already practicing cerebral surgery. But even with these advancements, the Spanish settlers were able to teach them new ways in carpentry and locksmithing. There are many other examples of the exchange of knowledge between natives and colonizers; the Japanese natives were able to learn new medical advancements from Britain, Portugal, and the Dutch; and the Indian natives were introduced to the telegraph that bettered communication and were taught how to build railroads, which helped with transportation. With these new advancements, developing countries began to take larger steps toward the future. 

Many things also changed for these developing countries through the knowledge of new cultures. One major cultural aspect that was commonly exchanged through colonization were languages. When the Spanish colonized South America, they introduced their native tongue to the native people. Portugal also spread their native language through India when they were sent to sail the Indian coasts. With the exchange of languages, communication between groups and countries became much easier. This allowed for easier trade. From a religious standpoint, one positive aspect of cultural learning came through the spread of Christianity. This was mainly seen with the Spanish colonizers who left most of an impact in South America where Roman Catholicism is the most common religion today. A more popular example of spreading cultrue came from Britain’s colonization of Australia. There the domestication of canines was taught. Who doesn’t love having a house dog?

Lastly, a major possible outcome of colonization came through new trade routes. These trade routes were created all over the world, on which resources were exchanged that helped many nations in their growth. Some examples of said trade routes include The Silk Road. This route stretched from China all the way to Britain. Many popular items were exchanged, such as tea, salt, sugar, porcelain, spices, and opium. Other routes stretched over bodies of water, rather than land. Two major routes travelled over the Atlantic Ocean. The first existing between the American colonies and Britain, carrying resources such as lumber. The second traveling between the American colonies and India which included trades with spices. Spices were highly valued, especially when refrigerators did not exist and people ate spoiled foods. 

Even with all of these positive impacts, colonization can still be considered as a negative impact. The sharing of modern technology and resources may not seem so positive when natives where forced into labor to collect such resources, as shown when Columbus would cut off the hands of native who didn’t gather enough gold. Learning new cultures can also be known as forcing european cultures on the native men and women. This is easily noticeable with the Spanish forcing Christianity on the Cusco people and the stolen generations of Australia. For those who do not know, the stolen generations were young native Australians who were educated to be a proper British man/women so they would forget about their native ways and ideas. And lastly, trade doesn’t always go as planned. During trade on the Silk Road, the Chinese population became addicted to the British opium, creating a new reliance toward Britain. As you can see, there are two sides to every story. 

In conclusion, colonization left a positive impact through the spread of modern technology and achievements, learning new cultures, and the creation of new trade routes. Even though there was heavy persecution, the lasting achievements still affect our world today in a positive manor. Relationships between countries still exist as does trade, which is very important. Overall, with the exchange of cultural ideas and spread of language, the world has become more familiar with there surroundings and is better for it. 

Bibliography

“French and Dutch Exploration in the New World.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/early-english-settlement/a/french-and-dutch-exploration.

Group Presentations

National Geographic Society. “Colonial Trade Routes and Goods.” National Geographic Society, National Geographic, 14 Mar. 2014, www.nationalgeographic.org/photo/colonial-trade/.

Study.com, Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/how-colonialism-spread-languages-summary-examples.html.