Ap World History Chapter 2 Study Guide

3. Was colonial rule a transforming, even a revolutionary, experience, or did it serve to freeze or preserve existing social and economic patterns? What evidence can you find to support both sides of this argument? Colonial rule transformed many societies in terms of ways of working, more independence for women, and the spread of religion. New ways of working emerged that spurred on the development of these colonial states. Although coerced labor remained, cultivation systems in areas like Indonesia asked of citizens to cultivate 20 percent of their land in cash crops. These increases in cash crop production lead to advantages for local farmers. Throughout Asia, abundant rice production was supported with irrigation and transportation facilities, and standard of living improved. Similar to the economic life, the societies of colonial states also experienced a transformation.
Women’s lives began to diverge from men, where they worked more in personal fields due to the cash value placed on crops. Pre-colonial women from Africa, for example, possessed the responsibilities of domestic and in-home chores, while men did physical labor. In contrast, women in the colonial economy had more opportunities in small-scale trade and marketing, and were entitled to keep profits from
Asia and Africa’s native people underwent rebellion and resistance, but they did not experience a mass wipeout of indigenous people like America had with the introduction of diseases. All three of these regions did experience the emergence of a widespread Christian conversion. However, the people in Africa were generally easier to convert due new opportunities and freedoms offered in their missionaries. In terms of the creation and development of the colonies, Spain had a much greater impact and influence in the Americas than in Asia and Africa who were run by