Colonisation Round II

The colonial takeover of Africa differed in many respects from previous colonial efforts in the Americas. Most noticeable was the absence of the devastation that rocked native American populations; not developing in a previously isolated continent meant the Africans did not share the lack of resistance to European diseases that native Americans had been so plagued by. Second was the number of European settlers that took residence in their homeland's new colonies. Comparatively far fewer citizens took up permanent residence in the newly established colonies than made the journey across the Atlantic a few hundred years earlier. Perhaps this was due in part to the closer proximity to their homeland, perhaps it was also because of the reduction of the form of hard slave labour that had been so prevalent in south American gold mines and cotton farms; the improvements in gunpowder weapons and the move to periods of forced labour (as opposed to constant slave labour) likely cut down the number of enforcers required to maintain order and prevent rebellion. In addition, many of those that did move did not plan on staying for more than a few years. Quite a few of were likely nobles who, having seen their status reduced by the social changes brought about by the industrial or political revolutions, had taken jobs as administrators at these new frontiers, but were still nobles and did not wish to remain in much more primitive areas than they were used to. The diminished occupying force also allowed more opportunities for those being subjugated to develop an improved way of life. Many chiefs or local leaders, especially throughout Africa, were able to not only keep their position of power, but become more wealthy because of it. Sadly, the fact that this was possible due to worse conditions for their subjects did not seem to bother them too much. It seems to be a trait of the human race, to be able to ignore horrible conditions for your fellow man if it means a less comfortable life for yourself. Even today this is just as prevalent as it ever was, with issues of famine and disease being rampant in some parts of the world, while in others people eat to excess without a second thought.

It seems as though lessons were learned from the colonisation of the America, and this time around the European powers were determined to prevent any erosion of their imposed superiority over the native people. With reduced European numbers, but an increased proportion of women, they were especially cautious to prevent the mixed race pairings that had helped bridge the gap between those with power and those without. Despite large advances in education and industrialisation, the benefits of these staples of European society were not made readily available to the Africans and Asians that they now governed. Knowledge brings power, and maintain a level of intellectual superiority helped reinforce the position of the natives as inferior beings. Other methods, such as refusing to acknowledge the natives' growing fluency in their languages, also helped maintain segregation between the white 'masters' and their black slaves. What I find most disappointing about this, is the African country of Liberia. Formed by former slaves in the Americas that had gained their freedom, they then proceeded to take up the mantle of their previous masters for themselves; becoming a ruling colonial elite over many west African natives. I would have liked to think that anyone not already opposed to slavery would surely have a change of heart after being forced into slavery themselves for many years, and that such an experience would create ideals of equality that would be passed down the generations to prevent an recurrence. Unfortunately it seems that the oppressed are more than capable of being oppressors themselves, and will gladly jump at the chance should it present itself.