Democracy and its Roots

In protection of markets and sources of raw material, European Empires established several colonies within foreign territories. Colonialists were notorious for their unfair-treatment of natives and their repression of cultures.  Lands were ravaged, resources stolen; the effects of colonialism were detrimental to both the society and its economy. The pillaging of countries continued for decades, and with it grew the resentment natives bore for their foreign conquerors. After centuries of oppression and enslavement, there was an immense growth in colonial lust for self-rule. This suppression of freedom helped in the creation of several liberty-loving states, and established the bases for the political system we now know as democracy.

            Methods of coercion were instrumental in the creation of a complaint colony. The methods differed from state to state but each were able to both exhibit European dominance, as well aid in the greatening the hatred bore by natives. In the case of the Congolese, Belgium colonist severed the limbs of those reluctant to cooperate. Public displays of violence instilled feared into the Congolian populace, and those who were originally hesitant, yielded. The methods, though gruesome simply greatened the hate natives bore for their conqueror, and added to the want of self-rule. It is this very hate crafted the pathway to independence, and give birth to the revolutionaries that would help individual colonies secure independence. Democracy was chosen by many as an suitable political system and was adopted by many former colonies upon securing liberation. The message advocated by democrats and the prosperity natives hoped democracy would bring lead to one of the many unforeseen consequence to Imperialism: the establishment of Democratic states within several former colonies. 

            Liberty and freedom; these words were frequently used in speeches advocating independence. For nations who have not tasted the fruit of liberty in centuries, self-rule simply grew to be more desirable. The twentieth century provided an opportunity for independence for several states. Weakened by conflict such as WW2, European powers were forced to focus on rebuilding economically and unable support their foreign bureaucracies. Instability within Europe leads to the liberation of several colonies, including India, Vietnam and Chile. After generations of foreign regulations and restriction, Imperialism provided a new perspective for what colonies knew then as government. Introduced to several new political systems by their European colonizers, many former colonies established democracies in hopes of creating a lasting era of self-rule.

            Although the repression of freedom caused by colonization led to the establishment of several democratic states within former colonies. Time has however corrupted the political base of several states. The government within these countries is no longer characterized by its wiliness to serve the people, but by the want of individual prosperity. Although democracy has failed numerous states, the American government is one that continues to prosper, undeterred by corruption. Does democracy’s failure within foreign states foreshadow an American downfall?

The Road Towards Independence

Sought after by the Indian populace since the annexation of Bengal, the subcontinent finally achieved independence after two centuries of British rule. Indian Independence was the result of several different elements: the sepoy mutiny, inspirational leaders and foremost a weakened British Empire.

The first sign of a weakening within Britian's grasp on the subcontinent is perhaps the Sepoy Revolution. Due to the presence of animal fat within the new greased cartridges (more specifically the fat of pigs and cows), several companies within the British India Army rose up against their foriegn commanders. This marks the beginning of what later came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-1858.(B) Begun in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company, it spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow,(B) the Revolt had a profound impact on India populace. Despite the fact the revolt failed in securing liberation, many Indians come to believe violence would lead them towards Independence. Violence came to categorize protest within until Gandhi's intervention. He managed to remind the people that they were attempting to convinced their colonizers that India was in fact an educated and civilized society; savagery was not part of the image they were trying to incorporate. 


Due to the diminishing number of government agents willing to work in India, the British administration was forced to employ educated Indians to fill government position.(A) This acted as both a deterrent of British control as well as a catalyst to the involvement of Indian within political affairs. From this, we also observe the development of several future leaders, men such as Nehru and Gandhi, who's actions have immortalized their name. These leaders grew to became a source of both stability and hope, and led Indians in the fight for stability.


The Second World War acted as a powerful deterrent on Britain's grip on all its colonies. A Empire lacking both resources and support, they were forced to released numerous colonies. Protests within Indian only hastened the process of their liberation, and India achieved Independence only two years after the war.(B) Along with the Partition of India, several states within India were set apart for the creation of a new state: one known nowadays Pakistan. Pakistan was created in hopes of ending the conflict in religion that has plagued the subcontinent since the introduction of Islam. British hoped that in the future, the sub-continent would grow to became an example of the religious co-operation and the acceptance of faith. Religious violence had however only experienced an immense intensification, with numerous people killed in the crossing of state during the Pakistani independence.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

(E)

Considered by millions of Indians around the world as a founding father, the ardor with which Gandhi pursued liberation continues to inspire. Gandhi recognized that fact that violent protest would only tighten Britain's grip on the sub-continent, and persuaded millions that the appropriate approach toward freedom was a peaceful one. Throughout his career as a revolutionary, Gandhi led numerous rallies for liberty, one of the most famous being the Salt March. To secure the maximum possible profit, British colonist prohibited Indians from obtaining salt without being taxed. To expound on why he chose salt, Gandhi simply stated, “Next to air and water, salt is perhaps the greatest necessity of life.”(D) As trivial as the substance salt may seem, it played an immense role in the daily life of Indians. India's tropical climate made the populace prone to dehydration with salt being used to rejuvenate the body. In fact, "the Salt tax represented 8.2% of the British Raj tax revenue", (D) and simply placed an unnecessary burden on poorer India. His efforts eventually paid off, and India achieved Independence on the 15^th of August 1947. After the India Independace, he retired to his old settlement, and for a year went by unnoticed. However during one of his evening prayers, a man named Nathuram Godse shot Gandhi thrice in a chest.(A) A leader truly loved by his followers, thousands attended his funeral. Despite the peaceful man's violent death, his actions have immortalized his name, and he continues live on the hearts of the Indian people.

The Colonial Experience

Intellectually:

Despite the many repercussions to the colonization of India, the British rule was extremely beneficial from an intellectual's point of view. As the nations who's innovative mindset started the Industrial Revolution, England was by far one of the most technologically advanced in the 18th and 19th century. Under the British administration, the India populace were introduce to a number of new scientific and mathematical breakthrough. Educated and caught up to the technological standards at the time. The British in fact established several schools and universities within India, hoping to educate and urbanize Indian citizen, and  revolutionizing the Indian mindset.  Indian families took this opportunity with immense enthusiasm, hoping education with be their pathway to liberation. However, the ardor with which India pursued education was in several ways incredibly problematic for the British, as there were limited positions for educated Indians. As a result, there were often college graduates operating as mailman and butchers.(A) The Indians advanced education system grew to be extremely important, educated numerous  leader who would in the future lead the India people towards liberation.

Politically:

Under the British reign, the Viceroy of England was in charge of India’s affairs. Appointed by the British Parliament, they were granted 5-year terms.(B) Colonization revolutionized the India political mindset, and they were introduced to numerous political systems such as democracy. As the government agents began to lose interest in foreign posts, Viceroys were forced to resort to utilized educated to filled the administrative positions. Numerous India leaders were crafted with under the British Bureaucracy, familiar names such as Jawaharlal Nehru, who would later acts as a pillars of stability due to his experience with political affairs.

Religion:

India is often accredited as the birthplace of numerous religions, with a population that represented numerous faiths, ranging from Hinduism to Islam. In a land where religion already played an immense role, it was difficult for Christian missionaries to proselytize the Indian population. Unable to use Christianity as tool, the British were forced to use more obvious methods to colonize. The diversity of the populations also made unbiased decisions very difficult to excecute and the British Viceroy was forced to satisfy the greater majority of the population, the Hindus. . Unsupported by their foreign rulers, the discrimination experienced by Indian Muslims intensified. Muslims would often receive an inadequate education and worst jobs. The discriminatory nature continued to be present within India until the Partition of India with which India Muslims were granted their own country known nowadays as Pakistan.(A)

The British: trade and eventually colonization:

Utilizing an idea similar to the Dutch, the British created a private company to both represent national interest, and provide insight on Indians, culturally and economically. Although it “started as a monopolistic trading body, the company became involved in politics and acted as an agent of British imperialism in India.”(A) Granted the royal charter in December 31, 1600, they first arrive in India at the port of Surat in 1608, lead by Sir Thomas Roe. Despite arriving in hopes of colonization, they were forced to resort to trade by the Mughal Empire. However, the British's interest in India continued to grow, British communities grew in both size and number, and could be found in cities such as Calcutta, Bombay, and eventually Madras. Mughal Emperors were quick to befriend the British, and in 1717, the East India Company received a firman from the Mughal Emperor, “exempting the Company from the payment of custom duties in Bengal.”(C) Trade with India continued to grow in immense proportions, but with it so the British's lust for colonization.The battle of Plassey is often considered as a pivotal point in India history, as it created the path for British colonist to begin their annexation of India. Persuaded by the French, the Nawab of Bengal attacked Fort Williams (B) (which until then had been the center of British operations). Robert Clive and his army were able to fend off their attackers and seize the Bengal. The company continued to annex a number of states in a similar manner, coercing a number of Nawabs into War, and completely dominating battles against Indian Nawabs due the technological difference created by the Industrial Revolution.  By 1799, the East India Company come to control the majority of South-East Asia. 

The Transition of Power

Despite being excellent colonists, the members were horrible rulers due to their corrupt ways. Inexperienced in the ways of leadership, the annexation of Bengal soon began to become on of the companies worst nightmares. In 1769-70 an immense famine was caused by their inability to support the province took the live of as much as a third of the population. Add to that, the companies spending on military made it unprofitable despite increasing trade.  With the company unable to support themselves, the British Government took the opportunity to seize control of the company and made company land British colonies.

 

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The Race to India

Known for its wealth in resources, the Indian sub-continent had been sought after numerous times by foreign empires during the Age of Imperialism. Dutch traders were perhaps the first to contact India in hopes of securing resources. Aided by a number of exceptional mariners including Jan Huyghen van Linschoten, the Dutch made their first voyage on 1595.(C) Able to quickly create a monopoly within India due to the lack of competition in the sub-continent, the trade within India had been strictly Dutch until 1608. Despite being the first to reach the Indian subcontinent, the Dutch monopoly was quickly removed by the British.(C) The Dutch’s monopolistic approach towards India is of considered as the cause of their quick removal and they quickly annexed other areas of interest to protect trade.