Delacroix's Path Of Orientalism

Colonialism and Imperialism: "The Age of Exploration"

In the 19th century Colonialism became the main foriegn policy of most European countries as well as America's. The terms colonialism and imperialism are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are distinguished by reserving colonialism for instances where one country assumes political control over another and using imperialism more broadly to refer to political or economic control exercised either formally or informall. Colonialism is usually achieved through aggressive, often military, actions and the territory acquired in this manner as well. The rise of merchant capitalism, and the desire to exploit the potential of a global economy initiated the European “age of discovery.” This imperialistic system established power and allowed for the utilization of trade routes otherwise not obtainable to the West. The colonizing country could control important markets for its exports and deny these markets to its competitors. Colonies were also important as sources of raw materials and as opportunities for investment. A country often also increased its wealth by conquering another civilization and taking its riches or by exploiting the mineral wealth of another land. Trade was considered a form of war, and trading stations were called forts. The search for a variety of products to trade drove the Europeans' explorations.These practices were promoted by the policy of mercantilism that many European colonial powers adopted. Those who advocated mercantilism believed that exports to foreign countries were preferable both to trade within a country and to imports because exports brought more money into the country. They also believed that the wealth of a nation depended primarily on the possession of gold and silver. Mercantilists assumed that the volume of world wealth and trade was relatively static, so one country's gain required another's loss. According to this view, a colonial possession should provide wealth to the country that controlled it. It became a world wide phenomenon to expand and explore, opening up third world countires to the net work of the West.

European Colonies in Africa-The red symbolizes the French Colonies, which take up the largest precent of land in Africa.

However, European exploration and colonization frequently ended in disastrous results for the indigenous peoples. Diseases brought over by Europe infected thousands upon thousands of people, killing off the inhabitants.Many times the colonized people were treated like slaves, especially when Africa was colonized, commencing the Arican Slave trade through out America, one of the components of the American Civil War. The aboriginal peoples often viewed the presence of explorers as an encroachment, inevitably leading to war, repression, and dislocation. By the 1950's most colonized countries gained their independence, putting to end Europe's "Age of Exploration"

~Colonialism and Imperialism ~ The Romantic Movement

~How the Orient Came To Be ~

~ Orientalism: An Artistic Movement ~Delacroix's Pre Orient Work ~

Delacroix's Post Orient Work ~ The Days After Delacroix ~

~ Bibliography ~

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