The responsibility of the British Empire towards its former colonies is nowadays a very difficult and controversial topic.
But to understand this complex conflict between the British Empire and the colonized people, you have to “go back into the past” and have a look at the period between the 17th and the 20th century. It was the time of Colonialism. During this time, many people thought that the superior and enlightened Europeans were different from other races they conquered. Some people, like the Africans, were not only regarded as less intelligent, but also as not really human. This imperial mindset resulted in many British people believing in their absolute superiority over the non-whites.
Furthermore, the African people were considered as inept and incapable of building civilization and therefore it was the “burden of the white man”, his “sense of mission”, to come to the colonies and to civilize those “dark and barbaric tribes” by giving them the gifts of freedom, justice and humanity. This can be explained by the simple reason that the British people considered themselves as the “perfect race” who were in complete control of both themselves and the new technologies (Industrial Revolution). “Of course”, the colonists did all these things selflessly and without any desire to make money or to benefit from them. They just wanted to bring progress and humanize the colonies because it was their “duty”. And in return for all this hard work they felt they had the right to take the land away from the natives and use it for themselves.
However this colonial mindset was just a fake. In reality, from the beginning on they had the desire to conquer all of Africa and oppress other peoples. Instead of bringing freedom and justice they brought atrocities and agonies. They exploited and extracted as much as they could from the colonies and destroyed a whole continent. A good example is the Triangular Trade. This trade was a standard practice during this time and took place between the British Isles, the colonized West coast of Africa and the Caribbean. In the first passage, from Great Britain to Africa, trading goods like beads,clothes and weapons were sent in order to civilize the natives. Afterwards, the Africans were sent to America where they were traded like animals and used as slaves. That's the reason why almost 50% of the Africans died during the trip. And lastly, goods like cotton,rum and tobacco which were produced by the slaves were transported back to the British Isles. Because of this
cruel and brutal trade 50 million Africans were stolen from their home country and separated from their family.
So, as you can clearly see, the British Empire owes the former colonies very much. They are also one of the reasons why the former colonies are so disadvantaged and undevelopped nowadays. 400 years of oppression, atrocities and exploitation cannot be just forgotten or excused. Fortunately, lots of colonies declared their independence during the 20th century. They resisted the cruel regimes and started to live in a real freedom and real justice. Of course, there are still many dictatorial regimes in the former colonies which aren't much better than the British Empire. But you have to take into account that many of those dictators are still supported by the former colonists in order to profit from resources like gold or diamonds.
But on the other hand, you also have to mention the positive aspects of Great Britain. After the end of the Colonialism, the time of decolonization started. They even let some of the countries get independent without any resistance. Additionally, they founded a free and independent organisation, called Commonwealth of Nations. This is a kind of organisation which consists of Great Britain and some of the former colonies. Although, the Queen is the Head of State of all these former colonies, they are all regarded as free and equal states. None of these colonies is oppressed or disadvantaged anymore. They are all sovereign states but economic differences still prévail.
But this was just a small step of a very long journey. The former colonizers still have to do many things to make up for the atrocities they committed about 400 years. Many of the former colonies still need much support from outside in order to become financially stable and fully independent. And that's what the British Empire is responsible for. They harmed the former colonies so heavily that consequently they have to pay for it. Maybe then, the destroyed colonies get what they really deserve: freedom and justice.
Taking everything into account, it can be said that the colonizers made two big mistakes. Firstly, they oppressed and destroyed the colonies instead of bringing freedom or justice. And secondly, above all, it is just inacceptable to conquer or to colonize another country if it doesn't want to be conquered. Of course, it is right that the people in the colonies were primitive and undevelopped in technological standards compared to Europe. But if they want to live like that and want to be “native” you have to let them. It's their right and their will to live how they want to live.
by Mesel
