RETHINKING BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Abstract

As a term the word imperialism originated from the Latin word ‘imperator’ and was rather linked with authoritarian rulings and their arbitrary treatments. In administrative statements it is basically dwelled on the misapplication of resources of others. As a matter of fact close to the end of the middle ages, when Europe was on the eve of enlightenment, the explorers took advantage of the new lands in every aspect. Although the World became acquainted with colonialism in long ago ancient times, empires changed their regulations in historical process. In this new era, the imperial powers not just combated against the indigenous people, but they had also among each other a serious long lasting competition. Yet being permanent in the new land was the essential success and to achieve this goal, each one was following methods differing in details. Within this period, colonialism was expanded across the oceans with geographical discoveries and showed an alteration. Portuguese and the Spanish, pursued by the British, French and Dutch, were seizing every piece of soil, but among all these European powers, Britain’s expansionism gained supremacy in progress of time. No doubt that the Britons followed a systematic settlement policy for the new colonies to be there to stay, as their competitors did, but various political, economical and cultural practices towered Britain over her rivals and oriented the new position. In this study, British Imperialism that was living its golden age during 19th century, will be examined in historical context, and analyzed within the scope of its separateness from the other imperial powers.

Keywords

• Imperialism
• British Imperialism
• Colonial History
• British Empire

İNGİLİZ EMPERYALİZMİNİ TARİHSEL BAĞLAMDA YENİDEN DÜŞÜNMEK

Abstract

Kökü Latince ‘imperator’ kelimesine dayanan emperyalizm ifadesi, daha ziyade baskıcı idarelerin keyfi metotları ile alakalandırılmıştır. Yönetimsel açıdan bakıldığında ise temelde başkalarına ait kaynakların haksız kullanımı üzerinde durulmaktadır. Gerçekten de Ortaçağ’ın Avrupa adına karanlık geçen sürecinin sonuna doğru yaklaşılmışken, keşfedilen yeni topraklardan her bakımdan yararlanılıyordu. Yeryüzü belki -çok daha evvelce-, Antik Çağ’da kolonicilikle tanışmıştı ama tarihsel seyir içinde artık imparatorlukların sistem değiştirdiği kabul edilen bu süreçte, ele geçirilen topraklarda emperyal kuvvetler sadece bu toprakların sakinleriyle değil, kendi aralarında da mücadele etmişlerdi. Ancak bu mücadelede başarı kalıcı olmaya bağlıydı ve Avrupalı güçlerin her biri kendi adına ayrıntıda birbirinden ayrılan yöntemler izlemekteydi. Sömürgeciliğin coğrafî keşiflerle farklı bir boyut kazanıp okyanusların ötesine taşındığı süreçte Portekiz ve İspanya’nın yanında İngiltere, Fransa ve Hollanda adeta bir yer kapmaca yarışına girişmişti. Ancak tüm bu Avrupalı güçlerin içinde İngiltere’nin emperyal yayılmacılığı ayrı bir yere sahiptir. Elbette diğer rakipleri gibi kendi içinde belli bir düzene sahip göç politikaları ile kalıcı olmaya çalışmışlardır, ancak onları rakiplerinden ayıran çeşitli siyasi, ekonomik ve kültürel hamleleri olmuştur. Bu çalışmada özellikle 19’uncu yüzyılda altın çağını yaşayan İngiliz emperyalizmi tarihsel bağlamda ele alınacak, çağdaşı olan emperyal kuvvetlerden ayrılma nedenleri üzerinde durulacaktır.

Keywords

• Emperyalizm
• İngiliz Emperyalizmi
• Sömürgecilik Tarihi
• Britanya İmparatorluğu

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