2.1- Neocolonialism

Question 1

What are the 5 main phases of colonialism?

Answer 1

• Exploration
• Coastal settlements (forts)
• Trading raw materials
• Extending rule (through conquest)
• Development of political systems / institutions / transport networks

Question 2

What caused decolonialism?

Answer 2

Creation of borders leading to conflicts over territories such as Sudan and India/Pakistan. Also world wars drained UK of power, so had to give up colonies.

Question 3

what is the definition of neocolonialism?

Answer 3

the use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries

Question 4

what as is a foreign land acquisition?

Answer 4

This is when a richer country buys land in a poorer country in order to get resources, grow crops etc. For example, Sun Biofeuls (UK company) buying land in Mozambique and Ethiopia to grow Jatropha- a biofeul plant.

Question 5

what is useful abou the Jatophra plant?

Answer 5

• 37% of it is combustible oil, hence it is a great biofeul

- it can grow on marginal land (so isn’t taking land away from essential crops like wheat)

Question 6

What are the 6 main methods of neocolonialism?

Answer 6

-Strategic alliance
Aid, with strings attached
-TNC investment (FDI / low-wages)
-Terms of trade (cheap raw materials for expensive product, and also controlling the futures market (e.g. for cocoa)
-Global finance and debt
-Structural Adjustment (applying western capitalist policies)

Question 7

So what is the difference between colonialism and neocolonialism?

Answer 7

• instead of taking land, buying it
• working with ‘colonised’ countries rather than dependence
• Investing in countries, rather than just using them for ‘political power’

Question 8

How do Saudi Arabia use neocolonialism?

Answer 8

As an environmental solution: rather than greening the desert, they just buy land in Ethiopia and grow their crops there at the comparatively small cost of $100m