The British Empire: a force for good

[Sodak]

Originally posted by Zouave
It was the British (and other WHITES) who attempted to end slavery in Africa, which was occuring long before Europeans got there.

Um... yes, slavery existed before the euros went to africa, BUT... Because of europeans, slavery became a drain on the populations of west africa, as their trade in people was on a scale far far greater than anything africans were doing before then.

As europeans developed a sense of justice (that is, deciding that maybe these darker-skinned primates were actually people), there was a shift toward ending slavery. Gov't policies soon followed this trend. However, you imply that the darkies would be happy to continue it. Tho it may have only returned to pre-euro levels and not entirely disappeared (I don't know if that's true), you simply can't claim that africans were not opposed to slavery. Europeans only get credit for ending the monster they created.

Just as the intellectual concept of anti-colonialism can be credited to europeans, it does not ignore/deny that the residents of the colonies fully opposed being ruled by foreigners - anti-slavery falls into the same category. A coastal chief is told by a newly arrived white captain that his ship will be leaving loaded with slaves, like it or not - the chief will be happy to supply neighbors to protect his own people. That does not mean he is pro-slavery.

 

[andycapp]

Originally posted by JoeM


Okay I didn't make clear what I meant: Australia is now controlled by what were once European colonists, the aboriginal society doesn't. In Civ terms, Australia has been conquered.

I can't back up my comment on economic recession, it was just an offhand comment, not related to the colonisation of Oz but the current way it is being run. Found some stuff here on recession in the 80's and 90's:
http://www.treasury.gov.au/speeches/2001/19November2001/default.asp
But it's not important to the thread of my discussion.

I understand your point, but you lessen the credibility of your argument when you throw around careless comments that are obviously incorrect.

Australia suffered an economic recession in the late 80's and early 90's - that's 10 years ago, as I said the economy has been bubbling along since.

Hope these posts have been educative!

 

[Ozz]

Originally posted by allhailIndia
The ex-colonial troops would have been needed in places where colonialism ended because of guerilla warfare and no real administrator or "good" leader came up to show how stable the new nation is.

In India and Pakistan it was not that necessary as the Indian Army itself was British trained and a symbol of strength and unity in the respective countries and could be called upon to restore peace in a dignified manner, in the case of riots etc.

Well they certainly did a good job restoring peace in a dignified manner


quote:
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Originally posted by allhailIndia

Why else would two communities who had coexisted for over 400 years suddenly start killing and raping for no reason!!
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[aska26]

the british plunder our country during 7 yrs of war they could assist our forefathers in rebelliona against Spain but it did not materialized they must help us ot plunder our rich culturally cities