Government College University, Lahore

Department of History
Global History Final

Submitted to
Ma’am Sara Iftikhar

Submitted by
ANILA NAWAZ 2244-BH-PS-20 [email protected]

Section
D2
 Question#2
Impacts of colonization on postcolonial Blacks

Post-colonialism
The academic study of cultural bequest of colonization or imperialism by focusing on the results
of control and exploitation of land and resources of colonized people is defined as post-
colonialism.

Post-colonialism in black skin and white mask

In this book, Frantz Fanon defines the post-colonialism as the way blacks think under the rule of
whites and about the conditions and unusual effects on them.

Impacts according to Post-colonialism theory in Frantz book

The following are the impacts on Blacks

 Race of superiority and inferiority

 The condition of mind
 Race psychological proportions
 The leadership of color over the other

In his book, he says that there is believe that black men are considered unintelligent and stupid if
they are unable to adopt the perfect language of whites. It was considered that the language
spoken by colonizers and whites is the language of power, superiors and the language of
intelligent. These thoughts concerning language choices shows the effects of persecution on the
psyche of Black. Black people think that “to speak is to live completely for other people” they
believe that to assume a culture means to provide for the human development.

There is a trend that “humanity was equal to the European culture and whiteness therefore
the Black can become a White and a complete human if he adept the language of Whites”.
Fanon contended in his book that the colonization by whites has dehumanized the inhabitants.
Black men sees himself as the reflection of White man. White man was considered as the master
thus the black men deposit a “white mask” to be desirable as to Whiteman

Fanon explains the psychology of blacks after their colonization by whites. Colonization also
effects the healthy relationships and rooted in the dormant wish to become a white. Whiteness
was linked to beauty in the colonial times that’s why blacks taught themselves in order to prevent
their race they will become whites.

The colonization also put forth the concept of Negritude. The idea indicates that the Black skin is
unpleasant and the white is pleasant. He contended that the inferiority complex originated in
Blacks is a result of colonization. He further explores that among the people of color, difference
of ethnicity, class, religions also persuaded the superiority. This in turn assist the power structure
of white superiority

He further explains that the Jewish can reject their Jewishness but it is very difficult for black to
get away from his blackness. The pre-colonial culture of blacks still can’t help them in the
present. He says that the lives and way of living of whites is different from blacks. Fanon assert
that in order for Blacks to recover from the psychological harm caused by colonialists is by
“collective catharsis”. The fears are necessarily was a cause of childhood traumas, the colonial
culture rooted the fear of black people.

Even after the slavery has been put to an end there still lingers the psychological process of
master and slave. He concluded the impacts by saying that the solutions to the problems faced by
different colonized population is not only the appealing to dignity and reason but to focus on
their present. He further conclude by requesting to unprejudiced. It is difficult for blacks to
forget their pasts and to free themselves from their past conditions. Black people are not able to
raise high because of the inferiority to white and the psychological level of them.

From this we can say that “the nature of blackness is within the mind”
 Question#4

Decolonization
The process by which the colonies became independent of their colonizing countries is called the
Decolonization. By the mid of 20th century most of the African, Asian and middle-east countries
got independence from the European supremacy. To describe this process the historians used the
term decolonization.

Some defines the decolonization as a motion that began after the WWI and gained the driving
force after WWII. People start to say all over the world that they have their own rights to rule
themselves.

Decolonization of Africa
The decolonization in Africa was cultural, economic and political process by which the colonies
cease to function from their empires and unified themselves to the new “world order”

Reasons behind the Decolonization

1. WWII: the World War II is the main reason and event that led to the decolonization in
Africa because the main colonial authorities in Africa were the British and France. After the
WWII these main colonial powers broke down because they were unable to bear the expense
to keep the colonies. The USA and USSR were the most powerful that affirmed the stance of
anti-colonialism which further diminish the colonies
2. Atlantic Charter: the second reason is Atlantic Charter at that time America was becoming
a superpower. They insist to free and give self-determination to all states after WWII.
3. Africans as colonial armies: Africans were outlined in huge number to fight for colonial
powers in WWII. During WWII Africans interact with different colonial soldiers all over the
world. After defeating, killing their erstwhile masters they get to know that the colonial
powers have just present themselves superior to Africans and grant themselves as their
masters. But the truth is that they both are equal
4. Nationalists Movements: Africans formed the strong nationalist movements after the effect
of westernization. These movements create the unrest in all over the African continent
5. Pan-Africanism: it is the idea that the Africans have the similar interests and they should
have to unified this caused the brotherhood among the Africans. The resources and external
support also help in struggle of independence. The independence of various countries all over
the world hastened the process of freedom in Africa
6. Outside pressures: the USA and USSR coerce the colonial powers to abandon the colonies.
For example the president of US coerced the British to free the subcontinent.
7. International associations: moreover, the newly established UN and other associations like
Non-Alignment Movements create the secured opinions regarding colonialism

Comparison of decolonization of Africa and India

Decolonization of Africa

There is negotiated independence between the colonial powers and the colonies of Africa; the
long and short term deals. There was a kind of incomplete decolonization. The political power
given to white settler minority was either violent or non-violent. Africans motivated by the
ideology of Pan-Africanism. Colonial powers had outlined a “long-transition” in Africa. The
decolonization of Africa paced in 1950s and 1960 was known as the “year of Africa” because
most of the African colonies had gained independence. Where there is not a settlement of whites
i.e. non-settler communities the independence there was quick. The first colony to gain
independence in Africa was Ghana under the leadership of Nkrumah in 1957. Soviets provide
help to Africa by pushing anti-colonial movements. Some of the autocrats of Africa totally
ignore the requirements of people. Even after the independence most of the African countries
still dependent on Europeans for their economy and politics. Cold war has also influence the
Africa. Africans had civil wars among themselves due to the discrimination. Disputes among the
different countries regarding boundaries constitute to more wars.

Decolonization in India

The decolonization in India was by negotiation and by non-violent means. In India there was a
inactive resistance and civil disobedience e.g. salt march. The independence of India after the
war was promised by the British. Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the leading
personalities who fought for independence under the Indian National Congress and Muslim
League. Indians had spurn the British goods. India was divided into two parts i.e. Pakistan for
Muslims and India for Hindus. There was conflicts between Muslims and Hindus. Gandhi was
murdered by a Hindu for ending the conflict. Therefore, because of these conflicts India was
divided into three parts

Similarities, Analysis and differences between the decolonization of India and

Africa

The independence of India was a example for Africa which influence them to gain independence.
Africa was colonized by different European powers whereas the India was colonized by only
British. The decolonization in India was completely untroubled whereas the colonies of Africa
faced a severe violence and non-violence.
 Question #3(a)

Reformation
The religious movement in 16th century that ends the priestly unity in Western Europe and mold
the modern history is known as Reformation. It means to remove all the corruption and
degradation from the institutions of church and people. Reformation was started by Martin
Luther king after he formed is 95 theses. It began and influenced by the nationalism,
mercantilism and to oppose the endowed property absorption to the church in 14th century. It was
spread to the whole of Western Europe. The reformer believe that the Bible is the only power
regarding the faith and salvation. Both Catholics and Reformers condemns each other which
results in warfare

Religion, Politics and Warfare

The differences between the both results in warfare and there was war for 92 years in Europe
(1556-1648). This warfare brought changes in religion as well as politics. Through the religious
warfare the kings discovered the power that was available to them and through these they
comprised a new character of politique. Politique deposits the common interest above their
religious differences and solve the problems by shifting between the Catholics and Protestants.

One of the leading personality of politique was Jean Bodin who said that there should be
sovereign power in every state to make and enforce laws that sovereign should be accord by the
people or by forcing them if necessary. Politiques gained their means by following different
strategies from which they seem more moral and fair but somewhere they also gained their
political objectives by every possible means. The masters of this new type of politics solves the
problem only for their success. These were the first who came to know that the religious warfare
were in vain as they have just brought the religious pluralism in Europe which was the new
reality of Europe. These leaders realized that the religion itself was presume as a political tool.

The 92 years long religious wars brought a dynastic contentions. These warfare caused a matters
of faith and royal possession all over the Europe. By the 1559 the first phase of religious war
arise the Catholics and Protestants in Europe to take a stance regarding the form of Christianity
for their countries. Between these fights the French, English, Germans, Danes all of them
involved in Pam-Europe fight which demolished the feudal implementations. All these introduce
the new model of military that also defined the terrain of politics between 1660 and 1789. By the
time political developments realized that the secular issues are separate from religious one. The
political control is no longer connected to the universal formation of church in Europe. It is up to
each monarch to determine the religion of his kingdom. During Reformation there was different
wars such as civil war in France, the Spanish invasion and the thirty years war that eventually
indicates that neither side could be triumph. In the thirty years war both sides also realized the
new religious reality of Europe which mold in the Treaty of Westphalia 1648. In two articles of
the Treaty of Westphalia 1648 the pope was not allowed to take control of politics and every
monarch determine the religion of his kingdom. The second in this Treaty strengthened that the
prince has all the power to determine the religion in his state. According to this treaty, the prince
is the sole owner and a sovereign of his realm who also reform his military by providing the
means of pay for the cost

Question #3 part (b)

Commerce in Spain and England

As the warfare, religion and politics defines the state territorial sovereignty likewise, Spain and
England defines the commercial conditions and indicates the economic success in the years of
1492 and 1763
Spain
The commercial system of Spain was failed as compared to England’s success.

Inflation: it is defined as the rate at which the prices increase over the time.. The inflation occurs
between the 1492 and 1648 in Europe because of the following reasons

 The means of purchases in 1521 to 1619 was the gold and silver that streams from
Americas
 The increase in population from 1490 to 1590, thus increase in demands
 After religious warfare the increase in military expenses

The inflation not only fails the commerce of countries but it has also provided the luxuries and
success to those who had taken risks. England was the one who had taken the risk and developed
a successful commerce while Spain still dependent on their traditional means. This was expanded
in the reign of Philips II as he spend most of the supplies on religious wars and he is a believer of
bullionism which means to stockpile the gold and silver and consider it a only means of wealth.
This bullionism and religious warfare not only reduce the growth of economy but it has also
wear away the economy of Spain. The cost of living and the cost of production in Spain is higher
than most of the European countries which caused the rose in Spanish prices. The continuous
migration of people also caused the decline of population. Spain still dependent on traditional
method of Mesta because of which land erosion occur. Furthermore the cost of labor and
production increase which makes Spain products expensive. All of this results in failure of Spain.
Spain become a victim of Commercial Revolution rather than a inheritor

England
The commercial system of England was successful because they took the risk of investment by
investing in inflation. In England, there came industrial revolution because of great migration
from urban to rural. London is a good example to explain the successful system of commerce in
England. People moved to London where they were divided into ratios one of the ratio is one-to-
nine which means that a one citizen was responsible for 9 farmers. Because of this revolution
industrial revolution further increased. After the industrial revolution in London it became the
capital. The king and parliament decided to live permanently in London rather to move from one
place to another. There was best poor-relief system in London for poor. This rapid growth in
London brought major changes in English agriculture. The new strategies like increase the size
of farms, development in crop rotation new methods of livestock, experimentation in breeding
altogether brought agricultural revolution. The other system was three-field system in which the
two-third of the lands get cultivated while the remaining third was left for fertility which increase
the growth of land and food. Moreover, mercantilism also makes the England system of
commerce successful.