Colonial Empire Structures and Impact on Indigenous Peoples

The Organization of Colonial Empires

Once exploited, colonies were conquered militarily to be administered directly by the metropolis. This resulted in political, economic, social, and cultural control over the colonized peoples.

Colonial Administration

Depending on the type of settlement, we can distinguish two different types of colonies:

• Exploitation colonies: These held a small population migrating from the metropolis and focused on the exploitation of their resources.
• Settlement colonies: The migrating European population enjoyed the same rights and privileges as the metropolitan citizens and imposed their rule on the local population.

The British Empire introduced a model of organization that was generalized to other colonial empires. Colonies were divided by government type:

• Crown Colonies: These lacked self-government and depended on the metropolitan administration. Authority was held by a governor who, aided by officials, constituted a genuine elite.
• Protectorates: Theoretically, an indigenous government was respected by the metropolitan administration. In practice, the metropolis created and imposed a parallel government and exercised unilateral defense functions. Egypt is one such example.
• Dominions: Territories with small indigenous populations where the white minority government established a parliamentary system while retaining dependency relations with the metropolis.
• Mandates: These were established after the First World War to administer the dependent territories of powers defeated in the fray.

The Impact on Colonized Peoples

Colonized territories were affected in ways that disrupted the livelihoods of indigenous peoples. From an economic perspective, except for privileged groups who collaborated with the colonizers, the situation worsened for the majority of the population. Traditional crops that ensured family subsistence were abandoned, and plantations were enhanced by implementing extensive monoculture to meet the needs of the metropolis.

In terms of demographics, the introduction of new vaccines, hygiene, and the construction of hospitals reduced mortality and increased the population. The social structure also changed; new working patterns disrupted tribal life and the old system of social hierarchies. Furthermore, ethnic units were divided or united artificially.

In the cultural field, indigenous societies often could not resist the impact of Western culture, which disrupted their beliefs and traditions. This led to the spread of European languages, beliefs, and lifestyles, while missions were responsible for spreading Christianity.