Ecological Imperialism

Ecological Imperialism

Ecological imperialism is the idea that the true reason European settlers were so successful in the colonization effort was their introduction of animals, plants, and especially disease to new territories. The many pathogens they carried with them adversely affected the native populations of North America, Australia, and Africa, and were far more destructive than weaponry: it is estimated that disease wiped out up to 90-95 percent of indigenous people in some locations. Ecological imperialism also argues that the disregard colonists had for the environments they were invading upset the natural balance of the established ecological system.