What if colonization had never occurred?

Question

As much as conjecture doesn't change history, I still think it's worthwhile to consider how differently the world would have been forced to develop if Europe in particular had been confined to its adjoining continents, with mercantilism never becoming a dominant part of society in the 1700s.

For one thing, I know that the rest of the world would probably have advanced to the industrial era in unique ways, possibly discovering ways to sustain governments that are today considered unstable....

Answer 1

It had to happen. It was the natural course of events.

Answer 2

I would offer that colonization would have proven inevitable. There are no signs that sub Saharan Africa would have industrialized, and China had a very strong suspicion of technological innovation. In fact, in the 1400s, the Chinese Emporer had his navy mostly dismantled for fear of expansion beyond his own frontier. There is no sign that the Chinese would have developed either.

One tantalizing possibility is that of the Americas. Would the Incas and Aztecs developed into industrialized societies? One never knows.

However, I think that the West was instrumental in the world's technological development for a number of reasons--all rooted in its society. First, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment elevated learning and exploration to that of a fundamental societal need, not just the hobby for a select few. This is a foundation that really did not exist in any other society on the planet. So for your question to be possible, the stopping point for European development would have had to been around the time of the printing press and the reintroduction of the classical texts into Western Europe.

Also, I would offer that mercantilism played an important part of European Society at least as early as the 11th Century, and isn't necessarily responsible for the explosion in colonialism. As a matter of fact, colonies were extremely expensive propositions that only paid dividends over the long haul. The notable exception is Spain's conquests in Central and South America.

Finally, even though I am a firm believer in self-determination, colonialism had a positive impact in many ways for societies across the planet. Advances in technology, health, law, commerce and transportation were all some of the long term benefits that colonialism brought, despite its excesses and misdeeds. In fact, I would even go so far to say that the peoples that have succeeded the best in their post colonial periods are the ones that continued to embrace the lessons of their previous colonial rulers.

Answer 3

Then the local culture and tradition would have maintained the society, the way they were for good or bad. People would not have turned selfish and peace would prevail everywhere. May be industrially the countries would have been backward and progress on industrialisation would have been slower.
Then I will ask a main question - what would have happened to the precious resources taken by the rulers from Europe? The countries would not fared very badly economically.
VR

Answer 4

The world would have been full of floating, pretty butterflies and everything would have been groovy and wonderful with no worldly suffering at pain.
Do you realize that the Great Cultures of Central and South America were made up of a caste system with Royalty and vast numbers of toiling servants to support their lavish lifestyle.
It was not a Utopia. Their successful technological innovations were used as tools to keep their civilizations oppressed, just like the Europeans, Asians and Africans were doing.
The North Americans had not discovered the wheel, at Columbus's arrival, so I doubt they'd ever'd been an industrial power.

Answer 5

Conjecture is not one of my specialties. You see, I like to deal in cold facts. Speculation is one of my least favorite words. But, let's say for the sake of argument we speculate into a different past. Let's say that colonization had not occurred. I speculate that a lot more insularity would exist among countries. The uncolonized countries would bear some resemblance to what they are today. Except, their insularity would lead to less developed political and economic systems. In plain English, they would be even more backwards.

Answer 6

If the practice of colonization never happened, you probably have more than the current number of recognized countries in the modern day. And of course we may not have an preferred language to do business. In fact, we probably have more languages to master in order to communicate better. Thus saying is colonization good? Depends who ran the show I guess.

Answer 7

i feel u r very right n also that i wud like to add, that if countries especially in the african continent, wud have developed economically coz they have many resourceswhich r veryvaluable such as mineral deposites n coal n energy resources too. n also that there wudnt be poverty lying around the world coz everyone n every country wud be equal too. but COLONIZATION To me really means to go destroy a counry's resources n cause problems in ones economy.

Answer 8

One way or another, colonization would have happened because a country lives or dies with trade and the only way to be assured of having trading partners is through colonization.

Answer 9

it's possible that other country's would develop into the industrial age... espesically in China.. but maybe not in America and Australia, as those cultures were maily tribal based not united. they seemed to have no desire to advance their technology, and for thousands for years before hand their technology had stay pretty much the same.

Answer 10

Singapore now is a small island under Malaysia

Answer 11

Look for the book "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond.
Great read.