Algeria Takes a Stand; its Opinion on Colonialism

Our group has decided that colonialism is the natural progression of history with one exception. Colonialism did not start inequality between human beings; as shown on our last DBQs concerning the Slave Trade.Colonization was not responsible for any major technological advancements; it was the testing ground for the innovations that accompanied the Industrial Revolution. The only new idea that came from colonization was that governments began to exploit weaker native peoples for their economic benefit instead of using colonization to gain political favor and power.
Inequality was already present between nations. It only made sense that, with all the new technology and weapons present in the country, the benefiting country would want to take over other countries. They colonized for power. This is a consistent theme throughout history. Slavery was an example of power. The richer and stronger country was able to take people from one country, and sell them in another. Not just any country can do this. The country had to be powerful. After the slave trade was banished, they needed to show their power in another way. With all their new technology, they decided to colonize.
Colonialism did not create any helpful new technologies. The innovations like breech loaders and steamboats from the Industrial Revolution allowed colonization to occur. The new technology that accompanied the Industrial REvolution made colonization affordable and safe; it gave colonists a huge edge over the natives that they were conquering.

Not only did the Industrial Revolution and the new technology and goods it spawned make colonization more affordable, but it made colonization immensely profitable. Countries like Britain and France wanted to gain power overseas. In fact some countries were experiencing some opposition to their government domestically and so by bringing in loads of cash through their economic exploitation of weaker countries they could gain more power. Countries were now turning their attention to colonialism and realized that power was better achieved through economics than politics. Smaller, less developed countries like the Congo, Algeria, Vietnam and South Africa had valuable resources that big and powerful countries could take advantage of. And after going through revolutions countries didn't want to have to continue dealing with issues in its own country.