Chapter 1: Introduction
In the Introduction to The Economic History of Colonialism, the authors provide an overview of the development of colonialism and its economic consequences throughout history. Through this introduction, the authors explain how colonialism has shaped the world’s economy and has had both positive and negative economic impacts. For example, the authors discuss how colonialism has enabled some countries to gain access to higher-value markets in order to increase their gross domestic product (GDP) and global competitiveness while also leading to a decrease in living standards for countries who have been colonized. The authors also explain how colonialism has resulted in a higher level of exploitation of resources in colonized countries, the re-configuration of international trade and markets, and the impact of colonialism on current development models. This chapter provides an understanding of the different economic theories and perspectives, while introducing the complex economic history of colonialism.
Chapter 2: Pre-Colonial Economies
In this chapter, the authors analyze pre-colonial economic systems throughout the world. They discuss how pre-colonial and indigenous economies tended to be self-sufficient, often trading goods and services across nations, but not engaging in large-scale global or transnational trade. Through this chapter, the authors highlight the role traditional pre-colonial economic practices have played in the development of modern global capitalism and they also discuss how colonialism has led to the destruction of some of these economies. For example, the authors discuss how during 19th-century colonialism Britain used force to control West Africa, dismantling the local economic infrastructure in order to gain access to raw materials. This chapter provides an understanding of pre-colonial economic systems, and how colonialism altered and reshaped them.
Chapter 3: Colonialism and Economic Institutions
This chapter deals with the economic institutions that were created during colonial times. The authors explain how colonial powers established different legal structures that enabled trade, taxation, and the control of resources. They also discuss the different forms of labor control utilized by colonial powers, such as the exploitative taxation policies of the French in Algeria and the forced labor policies of the Belgians in Congo. The authors also analyze how the development of an international currency system during colonialism enabled the countries that benefited from colonialism to gain a greater share of the global economy. This chapter provides an understanding of the economic institutions created during colonialism, and the consequences of these institutions in terms of global wealth distribution.
Chapter 4: Colonialism and World Trade
The authors in this chapter discuss the impact colonialism has had on world trade. They explain how colonialism enabled both direct and indirect trading, and how these different forms of trading enabled the colonizers to gain access to markets and resources they would not have had access to without colonialism. For example, the authors discuss how the English Trading Company used colonialism to gain access to Indian opium that it could not have obtained through legal means. The authors also explain how colonial powers used their trading networks to keep competition low, while also allowing them to transfer goods and resources at artificially low prices. This chapter provides an understanding of the role colonialism has had on world trade and the resulting economic consequences.
Chapter 5: Colonialism and Industrialization
In this chapter, the authors examine the impact colonialism has had on industrialization. They explain how colonial powers used their access to natural resources to begin the process of industrialization in the countries they colonized. They also discuss how the development of transportation networks and improved communication enabled the growth of industry in some countries. The authors add perspectives from both the colonizers and the colonized to give a more nuanced understanding of the different ways colonialism has impacted industrialization. This chapter provides an understanding of the role colonialism has had on industrialization and how it has impacted development in different parts of the world.
Chapter 6: Conclusion
In conclusion,The Economic History of Colonialism provides an analysis of the economic effects of colonialism. Through this book, the authors discuss how colonialism has enabled some countries to gain access to higher-value markets, while also leading to a decrease in living standards for countries who have been colonized. They also discuss how colonialism has resulted in a higher level of exploitation of resources in colonized countries, the re-configuration of international trade and markets, and the impact of colonialism on current development models. The authors also examine the economic institutions created during colonialism, the effects colonialism has had on world trade, and how colonialism has impacted industrialization. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex economic history of colonialism.
