When European colonial empires formed, it was often a traumatic experience for many of the people. Many of the small societies included loss of life, homes, cattle, crops, and land could were absolutely devastating for these people. Even one senior Vietnamese official wrote a poem expressing his anguish to the world. It was a sad poem showing his grief and his helplessness to their society’s situation. As saddening as it was, they really had no choice but to do what they were told.
On the other hand, throughout the violence in the European conquest, many individuals cooperated with colonial authorities for their own benefits and advantages. Men found jobs in the European military to further their lives. Indian princes, Muslim emirs, and African chiefs, were all able to keep their status and at the same time gained more wealth by exercising authority. Many of these people actually benefitted from the European conquest, which was in a way helpful to them and their lives. European education was explosive for colonial government and private missionary organizations, and created more wealth and more jobs in the Western education class.
Many were cooperative, but at the same time, many didn’t agree with the European rule. The Indian Rebellion of 1857-1858 was the most famous of the rebellions of this time. The colony’s military forces of a new cartridge smeared with animal fat from cows and pigs. Both of these animals are sacred in Hinduism and the religion of Islam. These people took it as a threat that they were trying to be converted to Christianity. I can understand this situation because I myself am a Hindu, and I would feel VERY offensive in the same situation. It is almost heartbreaking that people can do such a low thing as to attack other people’s religion in a time of colonization. I don’t think it morally correct in any way at all and it was a great wake up call for the British because ALL of India was aflame. They were a lot more cautious of trying to change Indian society.
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