WW: Chapter 18

     The chapter starts out with the usual opening story about the author and his experience in postcolonial Kenya. The thing that stood out to me the most was that he discovered that there was a lack of Africans being able to learn the English language. I sincerely and respectfully think that English is the most important language in the world and it is essential that every able person who can learn it actually learn it. It fathoms me that there was a huge concern to keep whites apart from blacks. A lot of colonies at the time (nineteenth and early twentieth centuries) all followed the same guidelines and tried their best to keep the separation between the two races. Many countries had their colonies including England, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, among others. The colonies of these countries had policies that varied and were specific to each individual colony. The policies were also shaped by the actions of the people that were colonized.

     Between the time period of 1750 and 1900 there was an unprecedented second wave of European colonialism. However, this one focused primarily on Asia and Africa. This was the first time that countries like Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the United States took part in colonialism, as opposed to countries like Spain and England who were experienced. By this point armies were well established and were very organized. In addition to being organized, they developed much more advanced weaponry and firepower. They had things like rifles and machine guns. 

     I can only imagine how traumatic it was for the various peoples being colonized. The people that were being colonized often faced enormous losses in terms of property and many were often murdered and had to face their imminent deaths. Their lives were disrupted and could not go back to the way they were due to them being oppressed and having to face drastic lifestyle changes. 

     Surprisingly, some of the colonized people were more than willing to cooperate with their new rulers. They often held positions in the army. The people who had power before being colonized usually kept their privileges and status. They were relied on and heavily needed due to the fact that there was a lack of Europeans who would take charge. 

     European education was heavily promoted. 

     However, some people rebelled such as in India when the Indian troops called mutiny. This led to the English taking complete control of India.