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Did european colonialism positively affect colonized african and asian nations in the past and present?

1) Yes, it had a positive impact on their development and progress.
2) No, it had a negative impact and hindered their growth.
3) It had both positive and negative effects, depending on the specific context.
4) Cannot be determined.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The impact of European colonialism on African and Asian nations is viewed as having both positive and negative aspects, such as the introduction of new technologies and governance structures, alongside the negative effects of exploitation and economic hindrances that persist to date.

Step-by-step explanation:

The topic of European colonialism and its impact on African and Asian nations is complex, with historians and scholars identifying both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, colonialism did introduce structures for governance and technologies that could have played a role in modernizing various aspects of society in colonized countries. Education, infrastructure, and medical care were areas that saw some development due to the colonial presence.

However, the negative consequences of colonial exploitation cannot be overlooked. Colonized regions faced the displacement of their traditional industries due to industrially produced goods from Europe, the extraction of resources with little to no benefit for local economies, the creation of borders that disregarded ethnic and tribal territories leading to ethnic conflicts, and the imposition of economic structures that continue to affect postcolonial countries' development up to this day.

In conclusion, while there were some aspects of progress brought about by colonialism, the overall impact tends to be seen as detrimental, with lasting economic, social, and political repercussions in the formerly colonized nations.

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