Essay On The European Presence In The Indian Ocean

The Europeans did rationalize their attempts to dominate people they encountered in the Indian Ocean region through a number of methods. These include economic, nationalistic/political, exploration and religious justifications. All however, were simply means of covering up the exploitation of the “inferior beings” that were not based in Europe.

A primary justification for the European presence in the Indian Ocean was due to economic motivations. Highly sophisticated markets allowed for the discovery of other products such as ivory, spices, textiles and precious metals . Colonialism is evident in the Indian Ocean region as the Europeans exploited not only the land, but also the people subsequently the rebirth of a slave trade. Since the Portuguese did not have the manpower to gather their available exports, the reliance on slaves was vital in order to achieve their economic goals . European navigators also recognized the risk, but understood the reward of participating in the Indian Ocean trade network. The Dutch sent their first expedition in 1595 closely followed by the British. Soon after, yearly excursions and the establishment of the Dutch East India Company in 1602. The Europeans caused much conflict and disturbance amongst the Indian Ocean region; the initial harm against the local nations was all part of a larger plot to meet the overwhelming greed and demands of the European economies.

On a political and national level, there was much competition between the European nations which resulted in a justification for the European presence in the Indian Ocean. This translated into which nation could make the largest profits whilst hold large geographical land bases. Countries on the coast of the Indian Ocean were built for tr...

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...y and exposure to the existence of the Indian Ocean trade circuit evoked a significant colonialist response. The Europeans utilized their comparative advantage in maritime technology and firepower to subject the Indian Ocean to witness political takeover and exploitation of land, people and pre-established trade networks, in order to fulfill the primary objective of satisfying the needs and wants of the European economy. Through the accumulation of gross profits, the Europeans became a dominant economic and political force worldwide. European greed and desire for wealth was defended through the justifications of economic trade benefits, political/national competitiveness, exploration and religion. These justifications were merely for the purpose of legitimizing their barbaric and inhumane (colonialist) activities that were carried out in the Indian Ocean region.