European Perceptions of the New World

This work delves into the complex and enduring legacies of European colonialism in the Americas, examining how the exploration, conquest, and colonization of the New World shaped both European perceptions of indigenous populations and the subsequent social, economic, and political structures that emerged in the Americas. The study traces the intellectual and philosophical ideas that justified colonial expansion, including the notion of the "noble savage," the imposition of European systems of governance and culture, and the economic exploitation of the Americas through the extraction of resources and labor, particularly via the transatlantic slave trade. The narrative highlights key thinkers of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire, whose works both reflected and reinforced colonial ideologies. It further explores the contradictions between Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and reason, and the realities of slavery, racial hierarchies, and imperial domination. Through the lens of revolutionary movements in the Americas, including the American, Haitian, and Latin American revolutions, the study examines the application of Enlightenment principles to the struggle for independence and the continuing challenges of post-colonial societies in grappling with their colonial pasts. The analysis also addresses the continuing impact of colonialism in the modern era, with a focus on globalization, economic dependency, and the persistence of racial and cultural inequalities. Drawing on primary sources, post-colonial theory, and historical analysis, this work investigates the ongoing struggles for justice, reparations, and cultural sovereignty in the post-colonial world. Ultimately, it argues that the legacies of colonialism remain deeply embedded in global power structures and that the process of decolonization—whether cultural, economic, or political—continues to shape the future of the Global South and its relationship with the Global North.