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?
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