The European view of colonialism is best summarized by Victor Hugo:
Speaking of civilization, seniority is not a right, it is a duty. This duty, in truth, gives right, including the right to colonization. Savage nations have a right to civilization, as children have a right to education, and the civilized nation owe them this debt. To pay one’s own debt is a duty, as it is a right. Hence in ancient times the right of India over Egypt, of Egypt over Greece, of Greece over Italy, of Italy over Gaul. Hence, in our own days, the right of England over Asia, and of France over Africa.
As we see from Hugo, colonization in modern times involved more than just commerce–which was also one of its justifications; it also involves a certain ideological aspect: its–apparent at least–selfless mission of bringing others to higher standards. Here lies the main difference between ancient and modern colonization: this ideological aspect is altogether absent from the ancient mind.
Trade was the main cause of the Phoenician expansion across the Mediterranean sea. We know that they entertained friendly relations with the rulers of the Hiberian peninsula, where they traded handicraft goods for precious metals. Things are more complex when it comes to the Greeks. The decree found at Cyrene (Libya) mentions that a son of each family of Thera was designated to leave the mother island and to found a new city. Perhaps more interstingly, the document also mentions severe punishments for those designated who would refuse to go. This document enlightens us as to the nature of much of Greek colonization: it was an act of desperation, driven most likely by natural calamities, an unwanted act in many cases. It is perhaps revealing that the Greeks called their ‘colonies’ by the name of ‘apoikia,’ lit. ‘home away.’
emma g
Hugo’s concepts are merely a perspective – Who’s truth and knowledge is right? – This is a European concept that in my opinion does not justify colonalism. It justifies inhumane acts of humanity that also justifies christianity. There are also other histories and teachings from the indigenous world view that have yet to be shared. We were not mere savages as history proclaims, but human beings – God (Creators) children…
Sylvain
Indeed, and this is why I quoted it: it best summarizes the European rationale for colonialism, which doesn’t mean that he was correct of course. The fact that the Europeans could use Christianity to justify colonialism shows all too well that it had ceased being a faith, but a mere cultural component, a component which could eventually be discarded because not even any longer necessary. And in the process we had to invent the Other’s inhumanity in order to satisfy our own inhumanity–for production, consumption, etc. It is all of us who have ceased being children of God.