As students continue to learn about history, it becomes increasingly important to teach them about the colonial and imperial policies that shaped the world around us. Imperial policy refers to the practices and procedures of an empire as they expand their power and influence over other territories. From the British to the Roman Empires, imperial policies often looked the same, and students should learn about these practices and how they influenced those who were colonized.
One of the primary reasons for teaching students about imperial policy is to help them understand the power dynamic that exists between a colonizer and a colonized region. Students should know that when an empire takes control of a region, it imposes its cultural values, practices, and even its language on the colonized population. Additionally, empires typically establish economic transactions that are beneficial to the empire, often at the expense of the colonized people.
The important part of teaching students about imperial policy is to discuss the social implications of such policies for the colonized people. For example, students should learn about the ways in which colonialism has been linked to the degradation of local cultures and customs. Further, they may understand how colonizers actively worked to dismantle traditional power structures and elevate their own social hierarchies.
In order to teach about imperial policies effectively, educators should supply students with actual historical examples of these practices. For instance, students can learn about the British Empire’s control of India and how British officials tried to train Indian students in their own educational methods. Students can then delve into the specific ways in which British policies impacted Indian society, highlighting the practice of racial segregation that evolved as a result.
Another critical element of teaching students about imperial policy is to highlight the resistance and rebellion that often emerged from the colonized regions. While empires exerted significant political, economic and social control, the people of the colonies did challenge and attempt to resist colonial efforts to subjugate them. An example of such resistance can be seen in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, where Indian soldiers protested against British imperial policies, ultimately leading to the Indian nationalist movement.
Teaching students about imperial policy means more than merely providing them with a historical document. It involves helping students appreciate that the policies had significant impacts on people’s lives, both short and long term. Helping students connect dots between imperial policy and the violations that took place is crucial in understanding society today. Additionally, students can use their historical knowledge to broaden their worldview and condemn modern-day society’s oppressive and limiting personnel, social, and economic policies.
In conclusion, when teaching students about history, it is essential to highlight how imperial policies shaped the colonized regions and how these policies relate to our current, modern present. Empowering students with this knowledge means that they will go on to be critical assessors of modern-day society while developing empathy for those who were impacted by this oppressive history.
