Advantages of Colonialism
1. Colonialism Improved Health and Care System
Before the colonizers came to Africa, the Africans experienced lots of infant and childhood deaths, yet they were not aware of the causes of the fatalities. They also couldn’t find a remedy. This was mainly due to their high levels of illiteracy.
However, the colonizers came to Africa and brought some enlightenment, whereby, through imperialism, the health care sector improved significantly. The infant deaths were resolved with the discovery of both the causes and the solutions to the problem.
Imperialism, which is one of the significant facets in the benefits of colonization, defines the act of expanding both the influence and power of a particular nation unto the others. Access to modern healthcare became possible through imperialism.
People could now access various medications, vaccines, and up-to-date knowledge to advance new medical systems and mechanisms, which continue to save numerous lives.
2. Enhancement of Civilization
Also, the coming of the colonizers changed the way of living for most Africans, who became informed. Prior, the majority would only dress in leaves, while some lived in the forest.
They mostly relied on hunting and gathering. They could not think beyond. However, the colonizers brought some civilization to Africa through education.
3. Restoration of Women’s Right
Besides, the era of colonialism favored the women, who were restored mainly from prejudice and assaults. Hence, women began enjoying their rights.
Men in the African society, who held on to old traditions and beliefs, took advantage of the women, viewing them like their properties. The women were not allowed to express their views in public places. Any female gender who could express their opinions openly would receive severe harassment by the men present.
Therefore, when the colonial masters came in, they noted how women were denied their rights by enduring mistreatments and physical attacks. Both the women and men were later subjected to almost equal rights, assuming that all genders are humans.
4. Development of Infrastructure
An additional gain from colonizers includes developing infrastructure such as roads, rail, and electricity, amongst others.
This significant advancement placed a massive impact on the lives of Africans, who initially embraced the old and backward mechanisms of living.
They never knew what progress was before the colonization era. However, they could, and can now conduct activities better, since the mode of transport is now faster. Initially, most Africans would walk long distances, and therefore, could delay in achieving different agendas.
Eventually, the development process generates safer societies since it enables people from various cultures and ethnicities to interact and better correspond, hence more societal achievements.
5. Food Security
Further, the people of Africa acquired agricultural, industrial skills, hence food security for the people. For instance, they embraced agrarian development, such as the processing and manufacturing food, which made them cease their traditional hunting and gathering habits.
The same progressions also increased job opportunities. As a result, the agricultural-related activities led to a better quality of living amongst the Africans. The powerful nations kept on bringing their advanced technologies to the colonized countries, which they influenced through imperialism.
Over time, the colonial phase enabled the industrial revolution to spread into the developing nations. This essential form of technology has aided the developing countries to experience economic modernization, grow new crop varieties, and continue building the latest, beneficial infrastructures.
6. Political Development
There was also political development, which enhanced the democratic governmental system. People’s voices could now be heard, where everyone would vote and vie, to be voted in, following some criteria such as age.
There were also trade openings, which made the Africans gain the right to access the external operations worldwide. The people, therefore, got further exposure to new ways of trading, hence significant improvement in the economies of the dependent nations.
7. Reduced Poverty Gap
Part of the population from colonized nations was taken to diverse colonies to work there, hence narrowing the poverty burden in these countries, which were mostly African.
Besides, the colonial masters selected and took the most potent and mastermind groups of people to the different colonies, thus lowering the economic burden in the African nations.
Further, these people were lucky to either join different armed forces or become leaders of the administration. In return, they secured some income from the jobs in the colonies.
Therefore, overall poverty reduction amongst the colonized groups, who, unlike before, began enjoying some financial security.
8. Literacy through Education
Also, during the colonization period, education was enhanced in African nations, hence slowly turning away from illiteracy levels. Many people benefited immensely from the white missionaries, who taught them how to speak and write in English.
Most African natives became quite learned and began understanding many new things, which enabled them to formulate valuable ideas, which they would gradually share amongst the entire community.
The cycle of learning continued, and literacy was progressively attained by many.
9.Democracy, Legitimacy, and Nationalism
Despite all the downsides of colonialism, this period taught people a lot regarding democracy, legitimacy, and nationalism. These concepts enabled the various colonial groups to attain their independence.
Later on, the community would formulate a national anthem to express patriotism to their beloved nations.
10. Enhanced Defensive Networks
Imperialism, which came about during colonialism, enhanced defensive networks amongst nations. Whenever the countries become somehow borderless, the defensive networks improve safety for the common groups of people, who can then perform better and beneficial activities.
Though imperialism led to the control of the developing cultures (colonies) by the stable ones (colonizers), it also led to a more forceful defense by easing the borderlines.
The creation of common borders favored different nations, both the developed and the developing. Despite the borderlines being mostly under the rights of the influential countries, the same enabled more people to gain from modern defensive technologies.
11. Attainment of Liberation
Through colonization, people fought for independence to enjoy their liberty. Liberation was attained, and individuals from different nations can now enjoy the freedom to explore markets overseas and improve their economies.
There is even further aspiration by the people to venture out into more markets, seeking better commercial products and services, which they can then sell in their own countries and acquire more profits.
12. Cultivation of Unity amongst Colonies
Additionally, colonialism cultivated unison amongst the colonies. Since all the natives were now fighting for one agenda-to attain independence, the entire populace of the colonies treasured one other, hence unity. Indeed, the struggle and fight for freedom brought the large community together in one accord.
