The Effects of Colonialism to Modern America
Before the coming of the Europeans in America, millions of Native Americans had lived in the land for more than ten thousand years. The population built and settled in the area, migrated depending on the seasons, and designed their way to peaceful coexistence. Sometimes, there were conflict with the neighboring communities and further developed deep trade routes and self-sufficient economies (Foner 3). For the “New World” of America, the arrival of Europeans was not a form of the discovery of a new America but the inauguration of violence, unseen terror, and revolutionizing of the world history (Foner 25-26). Even though, the modern Academia tends to consider the American history from the beginning of the European colonization, the continent was actually inhabited by
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Societal Features of the American Population before the Colonization
Native America’s population shared similar traits with each other. Religious practices, property, and the nature of kinship had significant differences if compare to the European beliefs. Most of the Native lacked a proper understanding of some issues such as natural and supernatural forces and always confused about them (Foner 7). Most of the population was arranged in small communities linked by kinship networks based on the principles of matriarchate and the respective clan system of group organization. For example, the tribe was understood based on mothers and daughters as opposed to the European way of fathers and sons (Foner 8). These differences could be explained by the drastic Neolithic revolution that passed pervasively on the European and Asian mainlands, when the family system shifted from the matriarchate to patriarchate.. However, the societal development of the indigenous American society remained unchanged with its main feature of women-centered family organization and the respective group interactions.
On the other hand, culture accorded sexual freedom that was not present in the European cultures. Women had the freedom to choose husbands and the opportunity to divorce. In addition, the notions of individual property rights were different from the European perspective since Native Americans believed in personal ownership of land and crops (Foner 9). To acquire track of lands, groups and individuals utilized violence and negotiation techniques which, however, did not grant them with the right ofpermanent possession of property. This is different with the European perspective, which triggered further misunderstanding with the European newcomers (Foner 10).
Effects of the European Colonization
European migration to the new world had various positive and adverse effects ondimensions such as culture, freedom, and land management. First, Indians’ contact with European settlers led to the loss of their land and consequent subjugation, displacement death from warfare and disease (Foner 56). The negative impact of the interaction outweighed the initial good intentions such as developing infrastructure and educating the natives in America (Foner 56). As such, the European invasion and colonization of America affected the population due to the spread of disease and warfare.
Spanish conquest of North America also had a positive effect on the population such as the formation of the government and the modern state. Before the arrival of Spanish in the new world, the inhabitants were less organized and, therefore, there was no clear system of authority (Foner 22-25). However, the arrival of settlers led to the introduction of government with a clear line of power and emergence of modern states like Mexico. The formation of the government was imperative in the establishment of education system, law, centralized church that helped the society to develop into a complex one (Foner 22-25). Further, it assisted in the transformation of the social, political, and economic structures in the colonies.
When European settled in North America, they disrupted the Indians’ way of doing things such as gathering, hunting, fishing, and land management. Europeans and Indians had different views concerning land ownership. Europeans saw uncultivated land as waste while the native Indians viewed land as theirs with all the rights of hunting and fishing attached (Foner 11). The disagreement of the fundamental ideologies produced endless conflicts, environmental damage, and change of the ecosystem. Such interaction meant danger to wildlife, food supply for the population and families. Further, this resulted into the elimination of property rights of Native Americans and constant decrease of their areas of inhabitance.
Warfare between European settlers and Indians began upon the arrival of the group in America and lasted for many years. Through the period, the native population died from escalating violence, slavery, torture, hardships and forcible relocation of the population (Foner 24). Therefore, the relation between these two groups was very tense, and the actions of the settlers triggered the extinction of the native population. European missionaries advocated conversion of the native Indians to Christianity because Puritans believed they were the Lost Tribes of Israel. As a result, they built places of worship and educated them the basics of Christianity. Hence, the actions of the “new” Americans caused both physical extinction of the indigenous population and the diminishment of the tribal culture.
The rise of population and the demand for labor led to the establishment of slavery (Desmond, Moore). The intention of European colonies when venturing into the new land was not to rely on African and Indian slaves for labor, but the establishment of plantation led to the rise of trans-Atlantic slave trade. The white population did not understand the concept of humanity, therefore viewed others as inferior who exist only to be ruled (Foner 97). Even after independence of America, slavery was still recognized, and it took about a century to be abolished. The impact of slavery is an impact felt even today as it led to the rise of the African population in America who eventually advocated for their right to own properties such as land, marriage, and freedom. In addition, many cultures interacted making the modern America a melting pot of culture.
French and Dutch colonies established in the seventeenth century were far much different from British and Spanish colonies. The primary aim of the exploration and subsequent colonization was not for agricultural reasons but trade expansion with Indians populations (Foner 35-37). It was different in terms of allowing for greater freedom with Indians and forming alliances when compared to British and Spanish that produced incessant conflicts due to insatiable demand for land
The population was introduced to the international economy and transformed their way of life from hunting and gathering to dealing with marketable commodities. However, there was adverse effect such as the spread of incurable diseases to the community (Foner 38). The positive effect of French and Dutch colonials outweighs the negative aspects and thus was beneficial to the native Indians because it led to desired outcomes. Trade links were important in the development of the society due to the formation of companies by the French colonies in the land.
On the other hand, the Dutch company, which dominated American trade with the rest of the world, had a positive influence on the community. They spread their philosophy that was central to the development of banking, and the rise of capitalism in subsequent years (Foner 38). On the other hand, they extended the freedom of media and press that was not guaranteed by British, French and Spanish colonialists (Foner 39). Dutch influence made a significant contribution to the modern American society that is defined by individual’s freedom of religion, media, and thriving capitalism.
Conclusion
The French, Spanish, British, and Dutch colonies ventured into the new world with different aims such as extraction of resources, agricultural activities, and trade. Even though, the primary purpose was economic benefits, they did not leave the colonies unchanged. The economy, social interaction, trade, religion, and culture can be attributed to the influence of different colonialists. Spanish culture is evident in countries such as Mexico, Brazil and the rest of Latin America. British culture is evident in the modern United States, and French impact is evident in current-day Canada. Not only did it transform the mother economies in Europe but also shaped the colonial economy which enabled to take off to prosperity. -. Also, the colonization had an impact on cultural life of Native Americans in regards to the spread of Christianity which damaged the cultural life of tribes to a great extent.
Works Cited
Desmond, Adrian, and James Moore. Darwin’s Sacred Cause: race, slavery and the quest for human origins. Penguin UK, 2010.
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2014. Print.
