9A. Connections & Revelations____Colonies____[Latinate]

If we look at an old map of the world, what is noticeable is the number of colonies, which the empires of Britain, France and Spain include. Atlases, which colour in the land areas belonging to these small European nations clearly reveal their dominance on the world stage. In my old school atlas, the colour red matched the areas included in the British Empire. I cannot remember the colours used for territories belonging to other colonial powers, but there was a lot of red.

I enjoy economic history, but when it's a question of precise dates my memory is not very good. However, anything relating to conquests and colonial occupation interests me greatly. I can tell you that France conquered England in 1066. There were many colonial invasions in later centuries. The economic motives that characterize Western imperialism resemble each other closely. This applies to England's invasion of Canada, France's incursions into many parts of Africa and Spain's expeditions in Latin America.

In the present century, the possession of colonies has become unfashionable. For example, France and Britain could no longer justify the possession of Algeria and Hong Kong. Both powers were compelled to leave. History and economics ensure that many privileged people from former colonies want to emigrate to the mother countries concerned. They are sometimes permitted to do so, though people from poorer social classes are often excluded. Governments are usually reluctant to reveal the basis on which decisions about immigration are made.