In the globalized world of the twenty-first century, it is hard to imagine a time when we were not as connected as we are now. With globalization, citizens around the globe are able to communicate with one another despite geographical boundaries. Even language barriers aren’t as much an issue due to the evolution of technology and the ability to instantly translate. But globalization isn’t beneficial for everyone; some aspects of globalization are even reminiscent of colonization.
Although the Oxford English Dictionary defines colonization as “a settlement in a new country… a body of people who settle in a new locatality, forming a community subject to or connected with their parent state”, more than the colonizers are effected. Unmentioned in the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of colonization are those being colonized. Often the victims of colonization, the native population are either killed or forced to assimilate into the invading culture.
When the Spanish first arrived in the Americas, they came weaponized in more ways than one. Outside of the obvious guns and swords, the spanish also brought with them unknown bacteria that negatively affected the immune system of natives killings off majority of the population. In addition to harming the people, the spanish also affected the environment. Spores of foreign plants and invasive animals were introduced to closed ecosystems.
But the Spanish weren’t the only ones committing colonization. Colonization was a worldwide phenomena that lasted from the 15th century until the early 19th century– 400 years total. Although it is thought to have ended, there are still strong influences of colonization in “freed” countries. Many of the countries in Africa are still in debt due to french colonisation.