Colonial map case study paper Beginning in the sixteenth century throughout the late eighteenth century colonial maps were used for many reasons other than geography. Some of the alternative uses for colonial maps included mapping colonization, practical details, political and economic use, recording routes for travel and trade, acquired land and settling boundary disputes. All of these uses for colonial maps are important in understanding the impact that cartography and maps had on early Latin American societies as well as other societies in the early Americas. Colonial maps functioned as a way to construct and reinforce imperial identities in the Americas by using symbolic representations to claim land, using globalization and migration …show more content…
Much of this land was not claimed fairly, and often times this land was claimed by more than one imperial identity. For instance, in the early Americas colonial maps were used for both Britain and France to make claims on land in America. When more than one imperial identity such as Britain or France claimed a portion of land often times a colonial map that was drawn by each of the separate imperial identities would be used to make a reinforce their claim. Symbolic representation is an important concept that was primarily used to construct these colonial maps. Through the use of symbolic representation imperial identities were able to create classification systems that reinforced their position as an imperial identity. This is because the imperial group would be at the top of the hierarchy for the classification system created. . Symbolic representation also allowed them to use a colonial map as a way to claim a large portion of land and defend it from being claimed from another group or country. Through symbolic representation, colonial maps can be used as a way for imperial identities to be protected and
The United States of America was founded on the basis that we should be a free and independent country from Great Britain and its empire. Rather than simply being a part of its empire, America wanted to become its own country to fend for itself. Great Britain, after the American Revolution, realized that maybe it was the best idea to let America set off and accomplish their own endeavors. After America gained its independence from Great Britain, the Manifest Destiny became a popular idea to follow; it was God’s will for America to expand their land to the West Coast. However, after this was accomplished, Imperialism came about a short time period later. Imperialism is much like the Manifest Destiny, but in a more greedy way. Imperialism is most definitely glorified to seem like a favor America is doing—by becoming an empire—and taking these smaller nations and countries ‘under their wing’ to nurture them and teach them the ways of being a ‘civilized’ person. However, what is the reason for Imperialism being brought about? After claiming from the East to West coast in America, why would they need to expand their area further—other than ‘teaching’ right from wrong to the ‘uncivilized’ people of the world? America’s Manifest Destiny era and America’s Imperialism era definitely have similarities, such as their apparent motives or rewards, but they also have their differences, like their underlying motives and purposes.
The Exploration Era was a time period when countries and people made journeys overseas to find “the New World.” With the help of the printing press, the discoveries of the Americas were known globally making people curious to explore it themselves. In the map “Distribution of Columbus’ Letter” (Document D), it shows where the letter was published and where it was translated to different. This is due to the printing press. Along with the many documents, the news of Christopher Columbus’ discoveries of “India” or the New World had sparked the curiosity of people all over the world. People became more interested in geography and seeing what’s out there along with the different resources. The New World discovery opened up a new trade route and different trade items. This would create pros and cons like economic growth and slavery. In addition the exploration of the Europeans helped us gain knowledge and get a picture of the Americas. In the “Henricus Martellus’ World Map, 1489” (Document E), it shows the world as they knew it with Europe, Africa, and Asia. The “Martin Waldseemuller's World Map, 1507” was an updated, more correct version of the world we see today. Waldseemuller’s map includes the Americas and was much bigger than Martellus’. The printing press had helped Waldseemuller use this new knowledge to create a map that would depict something
The northern colonies badly needed the services their isolation denied them. The people needed doctors and surgeons and carpenters and blacksmiths. And although they could survive without many of the manufactured goods available only at high prices, they dreamed of owning these things. They dreamed also of luxury items-perfume, spices, silk cloth.
Imperialism is the colonizing of weak peoples by stronger nations and sucking all of the natural resources out of their land. The age of Imperialism was in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. The main region that was the sovereign states in this time period was Europe. Imperialism is viewed negatively because it was enforced with excessive violence. Avatar mirrors the Age of Imperialism and how it was enforced with the military powers at play, the attempt to use economic influence, and the attempt to assimilate native people.
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. However, even after centuries later, little is truly known of the mysterious voyage and findings of the new world.1 By examining “Letter from Columbus to Luis Santangel”, one can further contextualize the events of Columbus' exploration of the New World. The letter uncovers Columbus' subtle hints of his true intentions and exposes his exaggerated tone that catered to his lavish demands with Spain. Likewise, The Columbian Voyage Map read in accordance with the letter helps the reader track Columbus' first, second, third, and fourth voyage to the New World carefully and conveniently. Thus, the letter and map's rarity and description render invaluable insight into Columbus' intentionality of the New World and its indigenous inhabitants.
Although somewhat annoyed by the weaker United States, Britain chose to not to fight a war. Britain's rich merchant marine was vulnerable to American commerce raiders...
When it comes to the use of race, imperialist empires used this to justify intervening in the affairs of other races, even those that are different from their own. The first example is when an imperialist nation, such as the United States, regards another race that is completely different from its own. The United states, during its rise and westward expansion believed that it should “take up the white man’s burden[,] send forth the best ye breed—go send you sons to exil to
Imperialist portrayed imperialism as a positive effect as they believed their empire would expand and prosper. As stated by Joseph Chamberlain in document 1, he states that colonist provided a way for expansion and control. He also states “...new markets shall be created, and the old
Imperialism in America At the turn of the century, America and the views of its people changed. Many different ideas were surfacing about issues that affected the country as a whole. The Republican Party, led by William McKinley, was concentrating on the expansion of the United States and looking to excel in power and commerce. The Democratic Party at this time was led by William Jennings Bryan, who was absorbed in a sponge of morality and was concerned with the rights of man.
The reasons for American Imperialism and what we gained from it. The dollar sign with the up arrow is business interests. The growth in AMERICAN economy. The tank is meant to represent the power America wanted over other countries. They wanted to be sure they could control what they did. Also this tank represents that America wanted other countries land for our military and growth purposes. Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan said in 1890 that in short, America having the control of the sea was key to world dominance and empire, AKA American Imperialism. That was the plan all along, to get into their economy, then politics, then land. The #1 ribbon is meant to be how America wanted to be #1. Uncle Sam’s hat is how America wanted to spread their culture into every other country. The US Map with arrows are meant to show how America wanted to grow past manifest destiny. Hawaii is meant to show that land we took over and ended up having 100% control over in 1959. Cuba, and Philippines are meant to show the weaker countries that we infiltrated with American goods, politics, then ended up having a war and acquiring land and some control. We can see those results just today in 2017. In Cuba, we can see the influence we have on them even though they aren’t technically our state. The trade embargo, started after America was imperial. They basically made us mad and we took away all trade rights and they’re all still stuck with cars from the 50’s and
Providing the reader with charts and maps, Abernethy gave a full visual understanding of the complex nature of colonialism and its’ revolving actors. Each paragraph delivered an immense amount of information that carried weight in it of itself. Backed by a ton of sources, Abernethy did not hesitate to gives his readers the complete embodiment of colonial conquests and not just solely through a “Eurocentric” lens. As a reader, I commend him for adding non-European perspectives to his analysis as well and how non-European conquests succeeded in some areas and failed in others in
Colonization is one of the reasons why the Empire is so important. Based on the article "British People are Proud of Colonialism" it says, "At its height in 1922 the British Empire governed a fifth of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s total land area. " From this one can infer that, when a fifth of the world is under one nation's control, the parts of the Empire had to be unified for it to function and to be prosperous. Without the unity the grand empire brought other countries wouldn't dream of controlling vast amounts of land under one government.
Historical geographer JB Harley wrote an essay on Map Deconstruction in 1989, in which Harley argues that a map is more than just a geographical representation of an area, his theory is that we need to look at a map not just as a geographical image but in its entire context. Harley points out that by an examination of the social structures that have influenced map making, that we may gain more knowledge about the world. The maps social construction is made from debate about what it should show. Harley broke away from the traditional argument about maps and examined the biases that govern the map and the map makers, by looking at what the maps included or excluded. Harley’s “basic argument within this essay is that we should encourage an epistemological shift in the way we interpret the nature of cartography.” Therefore Harley’s aim within his essay on ‘Deconstructing the Map’ was to break down the assumed ideas of a map being a purely scientific creation.
Creating a high-quality map in the 17th century was a time-intensive and expensive endeavor that required the expertise of artists, printers, engravers, woodworkers, and other fine craftsmen. Through the Dutch East India Company, Dutch cartographers had access to years of data on the commerce of the spice trade. This source of abundant wealth and information led to the low country’s establishment as the center of European trade and learning and the rise of the Dutch school of
The claim being discussed here is that the only way a map or a way of representing things can be useful is if it simplifies the knowledge that the actual territory gives, that is, if it reduces the salient i...