different tactics that each colonizer had when they embarked in the journey of conquering overseas colonies
The scramble for territories during the colonial era was mainly aimed at exploiting new territories for valuable resources. The new colonies also offered a market for finished products. European Countries rushed into new colonies to establish their spheres of influence, especially since the industrial revolution was starting to flourish. The English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and French scrambled for overseas territories with different methods of establishing their rule; they all however shared the main goal of economic gains. This discussion will highlight the different tactics that each colonizer had when they embarked in the journey of conquering overseas colonies.
The British searched for new territories for resources gain, market expansion and the search for new settlement. To get the desired benefits, the British employed the use of the indirect rule in Colonial administration. Instead of creating an entirely new governing structure, the British used the already existing leadership. Traditional rulers were used to administrate the day to day activities. The British, through the use of “Advisors”, managed the external affairs and taxations. The creation of protectorates reduced rebellions as luring the traditional leaders with pleasantries made them comply with the British. The British were able to settle at the colonies where they procured cheap labour for resource exploitation. Their style of leadership was by far the most successful.
The French goal in overseas colonialism was aimed at wealth creation. The French also wanted to expand their territories and to spread their culture. N establishing their influence, they employed the policy of assimilation. The French demanded that colonies adopt the use of French language and culture, and they could, in turn, become French. They could enjoy the Rights and Freedom of the French people. Through the policy, the French were able to spread their culture overseas; they also created trade routes and exploited the colonies for resources.
The Spanish wanted were among the first countries to implement colonialism. From 1492 to the 19th century, Spain had already started to pursue overseas colonies. Christopher Columbus made the voyage to find a short route to Asia. They led to the colonization of South America. The Spanish applied the use of direct rule where they fought rebelling communities and established their spheres of influence in the territory. Their style of leadership matched their goals as it allowed them to complete control over natural resources. It also fed the Spanish need for supremacy overseas.
The Portuguese moved overseas to Africa to establish colonial influence. They wanted to extend their territory, and they also wanted to create loyal subjects that could stand as an Army for the Portuguese. They applied a colonial leadership style that closely resembled the assimilation by the French. They called their style Assimilando. The style involved extending the same rights that the Portuguese enjoyed to colonies that showed the rights standards of civilization according to the Portuguese’s standards. The resulting outcome was the formation of a close union of races with divergent degrees of civilization. The aim was to recruit new loyalties, and so they worked on making the colonies align their allegiance to them.
The Dutch empire participated in colonialism to amass wealth. The Dutch took up territories to gain resources. Since the main reason for the Dutch was wealth creation, they adopted a concentration style where they captured international maritime regions. They gave up their claim to other territories so as to concentrate on the parts they considered vital for business. Their goal made them inhabit maritime areas.