Colonization Workshop

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Jedion357 is the project manager and as such will be working on the Documents section of this project. He will setup the structure, we as memebers can assist him by correcting mispellings or helping with layout/tables.
- w00t

Motivations for Colonization

What is the reason for a colony or colonial expedition to exist? There are often overlaps in the motives listed below.

1. Developing new resources for the sending authority. 
This was one motive for European imperial colonization, developing new resources to drive the industrial revolutions and economies of the imperial powers. Typical resources to be developed are agricultural and mineral. Colonies are viewed as a owned by the imperial power and this can lead to painful and difficult transitions from imperial colonies to independent political entities.

2. Resettlement of Criminals. 
This motive was famously used by Great Britain in the settlement of Autralia. Its viewed as a solution to multiple problems; the need for cheap labor and an overtaxed penal system. People who feel they are getting a genuine second chance may prosper in this colony.

3. Conversion of the heathen or the savage. 
This motive is predicated on a the belief that the colonizers have a belief system of value and the savages will benefit from it. Often as not other interests intrude in this motive, usually financial concerns. Corporate or trading companies sponsor and use the missionary to civilize the heathen so that they become cogs in the company's enterprise either as labor or as consumers or both.

4. Trade. 
This motive rooted in company expansion. Its less about imperialism, though it often works with imperial interests, and more about proffits. The purpose in building a colony is to support the extended trade network. Colonial adminstrators, being company men, can't help but seek to turn a profit of their local economy as well and begin exploiting the local resources and or natives.

5. National Pride. 
This motive says, "Look what we can do." Itally which was slow to rise as a solid political entity in the 19th century was motivated to develop African colonies as a sort of "keeping up with the Jones," where the Jones were played by England, France and Germany. They failled miserably in their efforts as the areas that were open for colonial development were the left overs and their national pride forced their military to try to engage the Ethiopian king's army on its terms. The results were a national embarrassment and their army destroyed.

6. Escape from persecution. 
This motive can be for religious or political reason. It may also be for percieved "persecution" where there is no active persecution but the colonizers are far enough removed from the society at large that they seek to have a community of their own unfettered by corrupting influences.