Origins of Colonialism - Why Geography Mattered

Historians explain the eighteenth-century origin of European colonialism in Asia either with the profile of the merchants or an argument about uneven power. This Element suggests that the environment was an important factor, too.

List of contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Escaping famines in the seventeenth century; 3. Forging connections in the eighteenth century; 4. Creating cities in the nineteenth century; 5. Beyond India; Appendix: change of place names; References.

Summary

Historians explain the eighteenth-century origin of European colonialism in Asia either with the profile of the merchants or an argument about uneven power. This Element suggests that the environment was an important factor, too.

Foreword

The distinct environment of the tropical coastlands explains why a European empire emerge from oceanic trade and not from inland.

Product details

• Authors: Tirthankar Roy, Tirthankar (London School of Economics and Po Roy, Roy Tirthankar
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.04.2025
• EAN: 9781009524193
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0952419-3
• No. of pages: 100
• Series: Elements in Economic History
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > General, dictionaries; British Empire, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economic History, India, Economic history, Colonialism and imperialism, Asian History, General and world history