9.4 Exploitation and Resistance

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the imperial powers’ treatment of their colonies
• Explain how colonized people were harmed by imperialism
• Explain how colonized people resisted control by the imperial powers

The primary motivation of the imperial powers in acquiring colonies was economic, and in the name of profit they frequently brutalized and exploited native populations. Even when they believed their intentions were benevolent and would improve the lives of Africans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders, their means were often cruel. As colonial powers stripped wealth from the lands they exploited, often causing significant environmental damage and destroying countless lives, the residents did not peacefully accept the loss of their independence.