Settler Colonialism in the Caribbean

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Definition
Characteristics
Effect on Economy and Culture
Effect on the Caribbean
Positives and Negatives
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Settler colonialism and systems of slavery spiraled in the seventeenth century. The rise of slavery affiliated with capitalism through close class alliances has persisted to the present day. The land was forcefully taken from North American groups in the search for religious freedom and slavery. The mentioned events fundamentally preceded the revolution of 1776. Besides, settler colonialism was founded on exogenous domination organized by imperial authorities. Settler colonialism replaced the initial population of colonized territory with new settlers. The settlers thereby became racially superior to the initial inhabitants. Consequently, settlers enjoy social movement and political demands of greater legitimacy as opposed to the colonized individuals.

Definition

Settler colonialism fundamentally operates through the substitution of the indigenous population with invading settler society. Consequently, an invasive society develops sovereignty and a distinct identity. Settler colonialism is present in North and South America, the Caribbean Islands, and Australia (Gniadek, p. 20). In addition, settler colonialism exists indefinitely except in instances of a complete evacuation and settler decolonization. Settler colonialism results in the repudiation of the history and culture of the colonized location.

Characteristics

Settler colonialists exhibit distinctive features different from other colonial agents. For instance, settler colonizers assert sovereignty and permanently occupy indigenous lands. In addition, settler colonialism is structural in that the elimination of indigenous populations is continuous. Moreover, settler colonialism seeks the end of colonial differences in the form of supreme settler state and people. The quest for an end of colonial differences is indifferent to other types of colonialism that seek to maintain imbalances in power between the colonizers and the residents (Gniadek 30). Settler colonialism eliminates challenges posed to settler sovereignty through the claiming of land by the indigenous society. The elimination of mentioned challenges is carried out through the elimination of the indigenous community and the assertion of the structures of settler belonging.

Settler colonial societies are reliant on similar spatial concepts, social narratives, and power structures. For instance, land that is on long-term use by indigenous people is perceived to be empty and acquired as private property by the settler colonialists. Settler state power is embodied in the form of frontier police forces and bureaucratic agencies. Moreover, settler colonialism involves different forms of oppression, such as capitalism, white supremacy, racism, and heteropatriarchy. Settler colonizers are Eurocentric. In addition, settler colonialism normalizes continuous occupation and exploitation of land and resources belonging to the indigenous societies.

Effect on Economy and Culture

Settler colonialism has contributed to the immense economic inequality experienced in the world today. In addition, colonialism has shaped modern inequality in several fundamental ways. For instance, settler colonialism spearheaded institutional and economic development, thereby spurring prerequisites for an industrial revolution. For instance, the discovery of Americans in Britain led to the empowerment of industrial groups that benefited from the new economic opportunities. Besides, settler colonialism allowed the mercantile groups to push for better economic and political institutions.

Consequently, the mentioned efforts resulted in economic growth. Settler colonialism spurred economic development in some parts of Europe while retarded the growth in other regions (Simpson, p. 440). Colonialism impacted development in colonized societies through the creation of institutional legacies with divergent consequences for development.

On the other hand, settler colonialism resulted in the erosion of tribal culture and societal values. The original composition of the population of indigenous individuals is altered through assimilation into settler society. Settler colonialism is further associated with cultural genocide whereby the inherent absorption has a direct impact on the cultural beliefs and values of the society in general.

Effect on the Caribbean

European colonialists had a profound effect on the Caribbean economy, politics, and institutions. The colonization effect is evident through existing constitutions, economic models, institutions, and ethnic composition. The Caribbean colonies eventually embraced the Westminster model of governance after independence. In addition, economic models and linkages in trade existence in the colonial period were strengthened by Yaoundé trade agreements and Lome commercial conventions (Gniadek, p. 26). Colonialism further influenced the ethnic composition of the existing Caribbean populations through slavery that eventually altering the organization of political parties. The setting up of either extractive states or non-European settler states in the Caribbean was influenced by preexisting conditions such as soil richness and mortality rate.

Haiti failed in the abolishment of slavery, devoid of extensive civil war. The culture in Haiti was affected by the origin of slaves in Dahomey. Haiti and Guadeloupe have a similar history of slave economies run by the French. Haiti, however, became the first independent nation in the Caribbean while Guadeloupe evolved into a French Overseas department that eventually attained citizen rights. In addition, Guadeloupe enjoys infrastructure and economic benefits from France, thereby improved living standards, while Haiti is among the poorest countries in the Caribbean.

Positives and Negatives

Colonialism instigated the need for cures for previously nonexistent infections. The imminent exposure of the mentioned diseases to the colonizers prompted the quest for cures. In addition, settler-colonialism brought about better infrastructure, urbanization, and public amenities. The adoption of economic activities spurred both economic growth and development. Increased production brought about by new methods led to further expansion of the economies (Smandych, p. 87). In addition, the assimilated societies adopted new forms of government that effectively led to the formation of political parties for governance. Colonialism heralded peace through the establishment of treaties for cooperation that allowed increased production. Settler colonization also introduced education, new languages, and religion in the region. Sanitation improved the existing life expectancy rate in the colonized areas.

On the other hand, settler-colonialism brought about disadvantages such as the effect on the existing population through colonial contact and exploitation. In addition, preexisting economies in the Caribbean were eliminated and marginalized through mercantilism. The colonialists further reconstructed social order based on the colonial view of the natural stratification order. The reconstruction of the social order involved white superiority and slavery. Moreover, settler colonialism heralded Caribbean pigmentocracy and shaped a segmented society. The colonialists altered the existing systems of living and grabbed land that belonged to the indigenous societies.

Conclusion

Present-day institutions such as government in the Caribbean are linked to settler colonialism. Settler colonialism replaced the initial population of colonized territory with new settlers. The settlers thereby became racially superior to the initial inhabitants. Consequently, settlers enjoy social movement and political demands of greater legitimacy as opposed to the colonized individuals. Colonization brought about the growth of economies evident in countries such as Haiti and Guadeloupe. Colonization opened up the region to development as well as economic prowess. However, colonization brought about disadvantages such as cultural degradation as well as slavery.

Works Cited

Gniadek, Melissa. “The Times of Settler Colonialism”. Lateral, vol. 6, no. 1, 2017, pp. 12-35. Cultural Studies Association, doi:10.25158/l6.1.8.
Simpson, Audra. “Whither Settler Colonialism?”. Settler Colonial Studies, vol. 6, no. 4, 2016, pp. 438-445. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/2201473x.2015.1124427.
Smandych, Russell. “Colonialism, Settler Colonialism, and Law: Settler Revolutions and the Dispossession of Indigenous Peoples through Law in the Long Nineteenth Century”. Settler Colonial Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2015, pp. 82-101. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/18380743.2013.761937.

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