Critical Reflection #4 - Imperialism and Colonialism

For my fourth reflection I am going to explore the relationships between imperialism and colonialism, the differences between the two, and explain how it is or has been shown in our society today. Edward Saïd relates imperialism with European cultures and how certain practices of ideas, thoughts, beliefs and rituals make meaning out of our world. Imperialism is “the practice of theories and attitudes of a dominating metropolitan centre ruling a distant territory” (Saïd, 1994, pp. 9). Countries, territories or groups of people who perform this kind of ruling are called an Empire; “a group of states and people that are ruled by a monarchy” (Stoesz, 1989). From the result of imperialism there is colonialism; “the implanting of settlements on distant territory” (Saïd, 1994, pp. 9). These two terms are important to understand, so in the next few paragraphs I will provide examples that help define Imperialism and Colonialism.    

I think that each country, within itself has some form of an empire either on a micro or macro scale. Saïd says that “imperialism is a form of power that is linked through different attitudes and thoughts” (Saïd, 1994) that dominates other territories by states, colonies, people and groups. 


The initial invasions also sparked huge waves of disease that killed thousands – many others were massacred” (Survival International, 2011) which resulted in the population of Aboriginals to decrease from “one million to only 60,000” (Survival International, 2011). Children were taken from their families and placed into white households that enforced them to learn a new culture and would not allow them to show any signs of the Aboriginal culture.  This colonization had many negative effects on the Aboriginal people which had led to many on- going problems in society that create social inequalities, devaluation of race, and racial-slurs that are still seen today.  

For example, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, they are owned by the U.S., not a state of the U.S., but Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. In 1898 “during the Spanish-American war, Spain ceded the island to the United States, making Puerto Rico not an independent country anymore. Even though people who live in Puerto Rico are Americans, “Puerto Ricans developed many different political parties, […] which sought independence for the island” (Hispanic Division: Library of Congress, 2011) which also helped keep their autonomy. They want to remain a commonwealth territory, they want to elect their own governors, and they want to have their own freedom. There are a couple ways how the U.S. are represented in Puerto Rico; the Puerto Rican currency is in the American dollar, the American flag hangs over Puerto Rico’s capital city, and Puerto Ricans serve in the American army. The Americans are ruling the territory from a distance, making it their territory and applying their own laws and customs which is a form of the U.S. culture. I think this is a perfect example of imperialism, but to truly understand imperialism, Saïd says that we also need to focus on the relationship between literature and imperialism” (Saïd, 1994, pp.12).

            Colonialism usually happens because of imperialism; when a country places their people to a different territory for settlement.  Colonialization is often seen as a negative connotation because it devalues and removes original cultures, traditions and practices from the primary settlers. For example, in the 1800’s the British settled in Australia, the land of the Aboriginals, and tried to take over and claim their land. The British decided that they needed a place to put their convicts so they placed them in a prison that they built in Australia. Over the years, the British settlement grew larger and larger which eventually interfered with the Aboriginals’ land. Aboriginals tried to preserve their land and culture but because of their lack of technology for weapons, the British had a greater advantage. “

There is a strong relationship between imperialism and colonialism because there cannot be colonialism without Imperialism, but Imperialism can happen on its own. They are indeed different from one another, but both having a strong effect in how the world functions. Even though the idea of Imperialism and Colonialism seems to have a negative focus, it can also have positive effects. For example, “the Colonial Governments and Missionaries introduced improved medical care to countries that did not have access to this” (Stoesz, 1989) which meant less death and improved the overall state of living. Also there were “new crops, tools, and farming methods that helped increase food production to create stronger human beings” (Stoesz, 1989). The world runs off inequalities, need to development, and need for power. Saïd’s theory is based on the fact that culture details imperialism for people all around the world and I think the results of imperialism and colonialism will create possibilities for new development, new ideas and thoughts, and a more peaceful world.

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