Impact of Imperialism on Latin America and Southeast Asia

Around the 1700s regions in Europe were using the method of imperialism to not only expand but to economically benefit as well. Thus imperialism was not only a form of government but also a form of economy. Furthermore it is when regions extend their power and wealth through their military force and diplomacy. Specifically speaking the Spaniards and British were two different groups of Europeans who colonized different regions around the world. As a result of doing so, the Spaniards who conquered Latin America and the British who conquered Southeast Asia causes depopulation along with cultural changes within the land they colonized.

In the year of 1492, the Queen and King of Spain developed thoughts of strengthening their power and seeking new sources of wealth. This being stated the Queen and King had agreed on financing Christopher Columbus’s expedition, hoping it would bring the kingdom wealth (Ellis 2004). On October 12 Columbus had discovered a new location, due to this discovery; Latin America had been colonized by the Spanish conquistadors sent by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Overall, Latin America had been colonized for the sake of seeking wealth (Ellis 2004). Obtaining gold was the simple way of gaining wealth. Gold was the resource that attracted Spaniards to the Island of Hispaniola, because it was also King Ferdinand's interest (De la Riva 2003 ). Thus it ended up becoming the ultimate goal of the Christian Spaniards sent to Hispaniola to acquire gold and swell themselves in riches. (Las Casas 1552).Trading was also the key to getting wealthy; the more resources available for trade the more wealth will be gained. Resources in the New World attracted the Spanish conquistadors to Latin America; it was also what he...

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...on (Ellis 2004). Although both Latin America and Southeast Asia had undergone depopulation, the decline in population was excessive in Latin America, while Southeast Asia had a minimal decline in population. Latin Americas decrease in population was due to killing conducted by Spaniards, suicide and diseases. On the contrary Southeast Asia's decrease in population was due to battles, rebellions and famine.

The two main effects Imperialism in Latin America and Southeast Asia were cultural changes and depopulation. Cultural changes in Latin America was the practice of syncretic religions, while in Southeast Asia it was the establishment of Western Education. The decline in population was excessive in Latin America, when in fact it was minimal for Southeast Asia.

Works Cited

(Las Casas 1552)

(Ellis 2004)

(De la Riva 2003)

(Cortes 1519)

(Adas et.al 2011)