Throughout history, there have been many attempts to
imperialize and gain control of other lands or countries. Just in recent
history, there are many examples: Germany in World War I and II, the Korean
War, the Vietnam War, The Soviet-Afghan War, The Persian Gulf War, and The
Six-Day War in the Middle East (as well as the never ending wars between the
Middle Eastern countries). These attempts have almost all ended in failure, and
are almost always based on changing the defenders way of life through change of
government and/or religion as well as the taking of land and natural resources.
Basically, the conquering country tries to change the society and way of life
of the country it is attempting to conquer. For example, in World War II,
Hitler tried to force the world to believe what he believed in and do what he
wanted them to do. He had the dominant
Arian race and form of government and he would destroy all other races and in
the process destroy their religions and take their land and natural resources.
Another attempt at imperializing is the British Empire of the late 19th
and early 20th century.
In this case, the British wanted to take control of India
and Ireland, and make both countries as British as possible. They wanted to
teach the Irish and the Indians about democracy and self-reliance, and when
their work was finished, to return to England and leave them with their
knowledge. In both cases, the British plan backfired.
The British considered Hinduism an absurdity, and therefore,
they tried to teach the Indians about Christianity. India was supposed to
become an ally, not a subject. However, while the British viceroys were living
in their palaces, the Indian sepoys were planning a rebellion. They mutinied
because of the ingratitude brought upon them by the British, and marched on and
burned Delhi. A plague of cholera and dysentery swept through India, along with
a population explosion and famine. The British retribution was very bloody, and
India was no longer the crown gem of the British Empire.
The events in Ireland mirrored those in India. In Ireland
there were too many people on not enough fertile land, and the potato famine
and Britain Corn Laws did nothing to help their cause. Relief projects to
enable the purchase of food went nowhere, and the only places to go were the
workhouses, but those only made the situation worse, due to disease and
starvation. The Irish were forced to immigrate to other countries, such as
America and Australia.
Through their failed good intentions of civilization, the British
saw the greatest peacetime calamity of European history. All of the above
attempted conquests involve long range control of other populations to change
them to a different lifestyle, religion, government and customs. Most civilizations sustain a way of life that
is satisfactory to their people, and that is why they are living as a group.
Any attempt to change that is very difficult, especially when it is attempted
from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Apparently the British did not learn that lesson very well in American
Revolutionary War.
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