Steve --
Consider that the British Aristocracy got most of its loot from land rents, and with the abolition of the corn laws in mid-1800's lost their principal source of wealth. Some noblemen lost money in settling America, but with few exceptions those who led colonial and trade expansion were from the middle class or at most penniless younger sons of noblemen (young Duke of Wellington an example). There is little question that British colonialism was an almost purely commercial proposition, in which those who actually went overseas accumulated most of the loot, and the businessmen who stayed home made profit from trade. British profits from trade with the U.S. after independence were far greater than ever they made while the Americans were colonized.
For the most part, colonialism (taken as a whole) was an economic bust for the countries involved, although some individuals made out. Spain, despite the flow of bullion that financed its try for European hegemony, was bankrupt in the late 16th century, its once great woolen trade destroyed by inflation that helped England's woolen exports and tore the Netherlands from Spain, beginning the destruction of Charles V's great inheritance.
Do you know of any great fortunes made by Americans in the Philippines? In my opinion, the seizure and occupation were the greatest political disaster in American history. Without that, Us would not have annexed Hawaii and would have had not involvement in Asia at all -- no Great Pacific War -- no next Great Pacific War -- etc.
Colonialism was the result of temporary vastly different political and military differences in capacity between poor states and the big few. A few borrowed millions or an insurrection, a few cruisers, a landing party of marines, and almost any 19th century third world state was history. Before colonialism could be overthrown the colonialists had to learn that trying to stay was too expensive to be worthwhile. Colonial people had to suppress the divisions among themselves -- at least temporarily -- long enough to make the price too high. Rebels didn't have to win, just hand on and drain the colonialist governments.
Most of the difficulties of the newly independent countries reflects echoes of the political weaknesses that got them colonialized in the first place. |
