Need To Finish It In 12 Hours? Teachers Only Question

Need To Finish It In 12hoursa Guarenteed Teachers Onlyquestionexplai

Need to finish it in 12 hours. Explain how imperialism has changed over time—from the early period of Spanish and Portuguese dominations, through the rise of the Atlantic system, to the new imperialism of the mid-to-late 19th century, up to the era of neo-colonization of the late 20th and 21st century. What are the main characteristics of each period? What changed over time? What did not change? In your opinion, which system/era was easiest to resist and why? There's 4 time periods.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Imperialism, defined as the domination of one country over others through political, economic, or cultural means, has evolved significantly over centuries. From early colonial expeditions by Spain and Portugal to contemporary neo-colonization, each period exhibits unique characteristics while maintaining certain persistent features. Understanding these transformations and continuities illuminates the underlying dynamics of global power and resistance.

Early Period: Spanish and Portuguese Domination (15th-16th centuries)

The earliest phase of European imperialism was marked by the maritime explorations and conquests by Spain and Portugal in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This era was characterized primarily by direct territorial conquest, colonization, and resource extraction. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) exemplifies the legal framing of territorial claims, while the objectives centered around acquiring wealth, particularly gold, and spreading Christianity. The main characteristics of this period include violent conquest, the establishment of colonial administrations, and cultural assimilations, often disregarding indigenous societies.

What remained consistent in subsequent periods was the pursuit of economic gain and the use of military power to suppress resistance. The exploitation of indigenous peoples through systems like the encomienda—initially a Portuguese and later Spanish practice—highlighted extractive economic motives. While technology and administrative structures evolved, the core goal of territorial dominance persisted.

The Rise of the Atlantic System (16th-18th centuries)

The Atlantic system emerged from the transatlantic slave trade and the triangular trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This period saw the proliferation of plantation economies—sugar, tobacco, cotton—driven by enslaved African labor. The economic dimension of imperialism became more structured, relying heavily on capitalism and mercantilism to maximize exports and accumulate wealth. The emergence of chartered companies and monopolies, such as the Dutch East India Company, exemplifies organized corporate imperialism.

While the focus shifted from conquest to economic exploitation, the underlying motivation remained the same—extracting resources and wealth. The period also saw the spread of European culture and religion through missionary activities, which persisted as a tool of ideological dominance. Resistance during this period often centered on slave revolts and indigenous uprisings, reflecting the brutal exploitative structures.

The New Imperialism (mid-19th to early 20th century)

The late 19th century marked a new phase of imperialism driven by industrialization, technological advances (railways, steamships, telegraphs), and the so-called "Scramble for Africa," justified by ideologies such as Social Darwinism and notions of civilizing missions. This era was characterized by the formal annexation of territories—formal colonization—aimed at securing strategic military positions and access to raw materials.

The main characteristics include the imposition of direct rule—such as British colonial administration—formal treaties, and infrastructural development aimed at facilitating resource extraction. The concept of "effective occupation" became crucial, with imperial powers asserting dominance through military presence and bureaucratic control. Despite innovative tactics, the core motives of economic gain, strategic advantage, and cultural influence persisted.

Resistance was significant but often suppressed through military force, propaganda, and economic sanctions. The establishment of settler colonies, especially in Africa and Asia, increased resistance challenges, often leading to violent confrontations.

Neo-colonization and Post-World War II Era (late 20th to 21st century)

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, traditional colonization waned, but forms of neo-colonialism emerged—economic dependence, political influence, and cultural dominance by former imperial powers and multinational corporations. This period is characterized by globalization, international trade agreements, foreign aid, and military interventions justified by security concerns or ideological motives.

Neo-colonization differs from earlier phases as it relies less on formal territorial control and more on economic leverage, diplomatic influence, and cultural hegemony, exemplified by media, education, and technology. Institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have played significant roles in maintaining economic dependency of formerly colonized countries.

Resistance in this era manifests through movements for economic sovereignty, cultural revival, and political independence. While formal borders are often respected, economic and cultural imperialism perpetuate inequalities and influence.

Comparative Analysis and Resistance

Each period of imperialism has shared core drivers—economic advantage, strategic positioning, and cultural influence—yet adapted in methods and scope. Early conquest gave way to economic exploitation, which then became institutionalized through formal colonies. Modern neo-colonialism leverages economic and cultural tools rather than territorial conquest.

Regarding resistance, the earliest eras were costly diplomatically and militarily to oppose; indigenous societies and enslaved peoples employed guerrilla tactics, revolts, and cultural preservation. The imperial powers’ military superiority made resistance easier to suppress. Conversely, in the late 20th and 21st centuries, economic and cultural dependence are harder for imperial powers to control directly, allowing societal movements to pose more significant challenges.

In my opinion, resistance was easiest during the early Spanish and Portuguese period due to the geographic isolation of indigenous groups and the relatively limited resources available to colonial powers. Once economic and military structures became entrenched, resistance active in the Atlantic and New Imperialism periods was more challenging. In the current era, although economic dependence complicates resistance, the global interconnectedness and identity movements have provided new avenues for resistance.

Conclusion

Imperialism has been a dynamic phenomenon, evolving from direct territorial conquest to sophisticated economic and cultural strategies. Despite changes in methods and scope, the underlying motives—economic gain, strategic dominance, and cultural influence—persist across eras. Resistance has fluctuated in difficulty, being most feasible in early periods and increasingly complex in modern times. This ongoing legacy highlights the importance of understanding imperialism’s multifaceted nature and its impact on global history.

References

• Burbank, J., & Cooper, F. (2010). Empires in world history. Princeton University Press.
• Cain, P. J., & Hopkins, A. G. (1993). American empire: Roosevelt's geographer and the prelude to global conquest. Harvard University Press.
• Dening, G. (1990). The frontier of the Pacific. Cambridge University Press.
• Fanon, F. (1961). The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.
• Hansson, C. (2004). The colonial legacy in the African continent. Journal of African Political Economy & Development, 1(2), 323-338.
• Loomba, A. (2005). Colonialism/postcolonialism. Routledge.
• Maar, J. (2014). Hearts and minds: Civilizing missions and imperial ID. Harvard International Review, 36(2), 8-11.
• Pagden, A. (1995). Lords of all the world: Ideologies of empire in Spain, Britain, and France. Yale University Press.
• Ramon, P. (2013). Postcolonial resistance and imperialism. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Vintage Books.