Imperlailismm

Question 1

Colonialism and imperialism

Answer 1

Colonialism and Imperialism are related terms with different
connotations(meaning).
• Colonialism, originating from the Latin word colonus, meaning farmer,
denote transfer of population to a new territory, where they live permanently while
maintaining political allegiance to their country of origin. Thus, settlement of
foreign people in native nation is the essential feature in colonialism.
• Imperialism, originated from Latin term imperium, meaning to command,
denotes the way that one country exercises power over another. It may be through
settlement or indirect mechanisms, such as economic, political, of domination and
control. Thus, settlement of foreign people in native nation is NOT necessary in
Imperialism.

Question 2

Factors behind accelerated/sudden decolonization:

Answer 2

Factors behind accelerated/sudden decolonization:
• Weakened European powers after two world wars
• Rise of USA and USSR as superpowers with polar opposite ideologies
• Rise of Germany and Japan as new Imperial power
• Setting up of UN and its role in giving voice to colonized nations
• Anti-colonial struggle and nationalist movements in colonial nations
• Independence of India and coming together of Afro-Asian nations against
colonialism
• New Discourse on Civilization: Ideological crisis post WW1– Denouncement of
‘Civilizing Mission’

Question 3

Prismatic or dualistic society by Fred riggs

Answer 3

Dichotomy and contradiction in socio-economic life in the colonies- termed as ‘Prismatic
Society’ by Fred Riggs:
• Superimposition of ‘modern’ institutional structure on traditional structure and
practices.
• Homogeneous nation-state imposed on top of highly heterogeneous and
multicultural society. This resulted into dualistic/prismatic society in the terminology
of Fred Riggs.Adoption of western style liberal representative democracy created western educated elites
vs largely illiterate impoverished masses

Question 4

3-phase scheme
of Decolonisation was given by

Answer 4

by Geoffrey Barraclough- an English Historian

Question 5

3 phase of decolonization

Answer 5

If we take example of India, we can identify three phases of Decolonisation process. First
phase was Proto-Nationalism, in which Demand for more concession, reforms, and
representation was made politely (by petition, prayer) by the western educated urban elites.
Second phase was the rise of new leadership and raising of national consciousness.
Gandhiji emerged as the new mass leader. The masses joined the elites to put up a unified
struggle for independence. Third and final phase was Mass Movement. In India, this phase
started with non-cooperation movement. Civil disobedience and quit India movements
forced the British Govt. to consider granting independence to India. This 3-phase scheme
of Decolonisation was given by Geoffrey Barraclough- an English Historian.

Question 6

Colonialism manifested in different forms, in varying patterns, had multiple features and
consequence

Answer 6

On the basis of economic relationship between colonizer and colonized people, colonialism
can be categorized as Mercantile, Industrial, Extractive, Finance, Planter, Transport, etc..
• On the basis of Modes of control, colonialism can be Direct or Indirect.
• On the basis settlement and motives, it can be categorized as Settler, Exploitative,
Surrogate, Internal.