Photo AI
Colonisation: (i) Explain briefly the term colonisation - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2013
Question C
Colonisation: (i) Explain briefly the term colonisation. (ii) Name one country that was colonised. (iii) Describe and explain the impacts of colonisation.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Colonisation: (i) Explain briefly the term colonisation - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2013
Step 1
Explain briefly the term colonisation.
Answer
Colonisation is the process by which a country establishes control over a foreign territory, often by settling its own population there and exploiting its resources. This involves the domination of the indigenous population, leading to significant cultural, economic, and political changes. Colonisation often results in the imposition of the coloniser's language, culture, and governance structures upon the colonised region.
Step 2
Step 3
Describe and explain the impacts of colonisation.
Answer
The impacts of colonisation are profound and varied, affecting the colonised countries in numerous ways:
-
Cultural Exchange and Conflict: Colonisation often leads to cultural erasure for the indigenous populations, as foreign cultures impose their beliefs, traditions, and languages. However, this can also result in a blend of cultures, creating a new, hybrid identity.
-
Economic Changes: Many colonised countries saw their economies transformed to meet the needs of the colonisers, often focusing on resource extraction rather than local development. This shift can lead to long-term economic challenges even after independence.
-
Political Structures: Colonisation frequently imposed new governance systems, which the indigenous populations had to adapt to. After gaining independence, many countries struggle with the legacies of colonial rule, including struggles for stability and effective governance.
-
Social Structures: The introduction of new social hierarchies, based on race or ethnicity, often led to systemic inequalities that persisted long after colonisation ended.
-
Resistance and Nationalism: Colonisation sparked resistance movements that shaped national identities and can lead to eventual independence. The struggle against colonial rule often fosters a sense of unity among the colonised people.
In summary, the impacts of colonisation are complex and multi-faceted, influencing the historical trajectory of colonised nations even to this day.