Understanding Colonialism and Its Implications for Development

SOCI 102/122 Diversity of Peoples and Cultures SESSION 9:COLONIALISM AND DEVELOPMENT Lecturer: Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, UG Contact Information: ddzo@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 2016/2017

Session Overview Introduction One factor that has been momentous in the historical evolution of most nations, to be precise, the Third World which oftentimes is referred to as developing nations/countries (made up of Africa, Latin America and Asian countries) is colonialism. Colonialism is often times associated with imperialism can be defined as the direct occupation and domination of a people by other nations. Almost all countries and peoples in the developing world have in their history been colonised by one European nation or the other. The major imperial powers have been Britain, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, among others. Colonialism therefore has great consequences, often times negative, for transformation and development of the colonised people and their societies. In this session, we focus on colonialism and its implications for development of other societies. Objectives At the end of the session, the student will be able to: define colonialism and imperialism account for the reasons for colonialism distinguish between two major colonial administrative policies Slide 2 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Session Outline In this session we will define colonialism and Imperialism account for the reasons for colonialism distinguish between two major colonial administrative policies Slide 3 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Reading List Assimeng, M. (1999), Social Structure of Ghana, Tema, Ghana Publishing Corporation. Kottak, C. P. (2004), Cultural Anthropology, Boston, McGraw Hill Corporation. Kottak, C. P. (2004), Anthropology: The Exploration of Human Diversity, Boston, McGraw Hill Corporation. Nolan, P. & G. Lenski, (2004 or any of the newer editions), Human Societies: An introduction to macrosociology, Boulder Paradigm Publishers. Nukunya, G. K. (2006), Tradition and change in Ghana: An introduction to sociology, Accra, Ghana University Press. Sanderson, S. K. & A. S. Alderson (2005 or its newer editions), World societies: the evolution of human life, Boston, Pearson Education Inc. Slide 4 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Topic One: Definition of Colonialism and Imperialism Colonialism and Imperialism are very close in meaning. We can define colonialism as referring to the political, social, economic and cultural domination of a territory and its people by a foreign power over an extended period of time. All African countries with the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia have once been colonized. The colonial powers have been mainly Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Imperialism refers to a policy of extending the rule of a nation or empire such as the British empire over foreign nations and of taking and holding foreign nations. Most powerful nations such as US, France, Britain, are often described as imperialistic because they are seen as always acting in ways to dominate other nations Slide 5 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Topic Two: Reasons for Colonialism The reasons for colonialism are varied. Three major reasons are: The search by European nations for resources for the purpose of industrialization The search for markets for European manufactured products The search for state glory and national pride Slide 6 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Topic Three: British and French Colonialism The British adopted mainly the policy of Indirect Rule. This means that they governed the colonized people through their leaders and the existing political structures. The French adopted direct rule and also assimilation policies. This means that the French, unlike the British imposed new forms of governing structures on the colonized people and also sought to assimilate them into French society. France is also said to have regarded her colonies as extension of France abroad. Slide 7 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG

Conclusion In these session we have learnt to Define colonialism and imperialism and also noted that the two concepts are closely related Give reasons for colonialism: the search for resources and markets by Europeans Distinguish between two major colonial administrative policies: indirect rule practiced by the British and direct rule and assimilation policies practiced the French Slide 8 Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG