The Most Successful Colony, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the colony you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 5, 2024 06:57

Assessing the success of various colonies offers insightful perspectives on history and progress. It reveals the myriad factors that contribute to the flourishing of societies under diverse conditions. By exploring these narratives, we gain a better understanding of different strategies and outcomes that shaped the world. This site allows you to participate actively in shaping how these stories are told by casting your vote. Every vote is a voice, contributing to a dynamic consensus on which colonies stand out throughout history. Your participation not only helps in ranking these entities but enriches our collective narrative.

What Is the Most Successful Colony?

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80
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Edinburgh Geographical Institute; J. G. Bartholomew and Sons. · Public domain

British Raj in India

The British Empire's largest and most populous colony, which brought modernization and infrastructure to India while exploiting its resources.
The British Raj in India refers to the period of British rule over the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947. It was established after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when the British crown took over direct control from the British East India Company. The British Raj had a profound impact on India in various aspects including political, economic, social, and cultural.

Duration: 1858-1947

Governance: Direct control by the British crown

Political Structure: Governor-General or Viceroy representing the British monarch

Economic Exploitation: Massive extraction of resources and wealth from India

Infrastructure Development: Construction of railways, roads, and telegraph lines
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14
votes
Milenioscuro · CC BY-SA 4.0

New Spain

Hernán Cortés

The vast territory comprising modern-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of the United States, which produced great wealth through silver mining and introduced European culture to the Americas.
New Spain was a Spanish colony established during the 16th century in the Americas. It encompassed a large territory, including present-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of the United States. The colony played a significant role in Spanish exploration, conquest, and trade in the Americas.

Territory: Included present-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of the United States.

Capital: Mexico City (formerly known as Tenochtitlan).

Language: Spanish was the official language.

Religion: Roman Catholicism was the dominant religion.

Economy: Based on mining, agriculture, and trade.
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21
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Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

French Indochina

French colonial empire

A union of French colonies in Southeast Asia that included Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, which became economically prosperous and culturally influential.
French Indochina was a French colonial federation in Southeast Asia, established in October 1887. It comprised the territories of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and later included parts of present-day China and Thailand. Under the administration of the French colonial empire, it was one of the most successful colonies in terms of economic exploitation and territorial control.

Established: October 1887

Territories: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, parts of China and Thailand

Colonial Power: France

Capital: Hanoi

Official Language: French
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18
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Dutch East Indies

The Dutch Republic

A vast network of Indonesian islands controlled by the Dutch East India Company, which monopolized the spice trade and established a colonial society that lasted for centuries.
The Dutch East Indies was a highly successful colony established by the Dutch Republic in the early 17th century. It encompassed the territories of present-day Indonesia, along with parts of Malaysia, Timor, and Papua New Guinea. The Dutch East Indies became one of the most valuable and influential colonies in the world.

Colonial Power: Dutch Republic

Established: Early 17th century

Territories: Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Timor, Papua New Guinea

Economic Importance: Highly valuable colony

Trade: Controlled important spice trade routes
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20
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Portuguese Brazil

The largest and richest of Portugal's colonies, which developed a unique blend of European, African, and indigenous cultures and produced vast quantities of gold and diamonds.
Portuguese Brazil was a successful colony established by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century in what is now modern-day Brazil. It was the first and longest-lasting European colony in the Americas, lasting for over 300 years until Brazil gained independence in 1822.

Population: A diverse population consisting of indigenous people, African slaves, European settlers, and mixed-race individuals.

Economy: The colony's economy relied heavily on the production and export of valuable resources such as sugar, gold, diamonds, and later, coffee.

Slave trade: Portuguese Brazil played a significant role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, being one of the largest importers of enslaved Africans.

Cultural blending: Portuguese Brazil witnessed a unique cultural blending between the European, African, and indigenous populations, resulting in the development of a distinct Brazilian culture.

Colonial administration: The Portuguese implemented a system of colonial administration known as the Captaincy Colonies, granting large areas of land to appointed captains who were responsible for their development.
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9
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Spanish Philippines

Miguel López de Legazpi

A strategic outpost of Spain in Southeast Asia that became a major center of trade and Christianity in the region, leaving a lasting legacy of Hispanic culture.
The Spanish Philippines was a successful colony established by the Spanish Empire in Southeast Asia.

Location: Archipelago in Southeast Asia

Capital: Manila

Language: Spanish

Religion: Roman Catholicism

Government: Spanish colonial administration
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17
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British North America

King James I of England

A collection of British colonies in present-day Canada and the United States that formed the basis of the modern Anglophone world, with innovative political and social institutions.
British North America was the collective name for the British colonies in North America, which included present-day Canada and the thirteen colonies that later formed the United States. It was a successful colony that played a significant role in the establishment of British dominance in North America.

Location: North America

Territories: Canada and thirteen colonies

Government: British colonial administration

Religion: Church of England

Economy: Agriculture, trade, and commerce
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11
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Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 4.0

Belgian Congo

King Leopold II of Belgium

A brutal colony in central Africa that exploited the region's rubber and ivory resources and caused widespread suffering, but also introduced modern transportation and communication systems.
The Belgian Congo was a colony established by Belgium in Central Africa between 1908 and 1960. It was created as a private colony by King Leopold II of Belgium, who initially ruled it as his personal property before it was transferred to the Belgian state. The colony experienced a complex and often troubled history, characterized by exploitation, forced labor, and brutal treatment of the Congolese people. Despite these human rights abuses, the Belgian Congo also witnessed significant infrastructure development and economic growth during its existence.

Size: Over 2.3 million square kilometers

Natural resources: Significant reserves of copper, rubber, diamond, and other minerals

Population: Estimated between 10 and 15 million Congolese people

Infrastructure: Development of railways, roads, schools, and hospitals

Economic growth: Increased production of export crops, such as coffee, palm oil, and cotton
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12
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German East Africa

Germany

A short-lived colonial project that encompassed modern-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, which aimed to create a model colony based on scientific agriculture and modernization.
German East Africa was a colony established by Germany in East Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It covered a large area including what is now Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.

Established: 1885

Size: About 994,996 square kilometers

Capital: Dar es Salaam

Governor: Karl Peters (1885-1891)

Indigenous Population: Estimated about 7 million
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7
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American Colonies

Thirteen British colonies in North America that rebelled against the mother country to form the United States, setting a precedent for decolonization and democracy around the world.
The American Colonies consisted of a series of British settlements established along the eastern coast of North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. These colonies played a pivotal role in the eventual establishment of the United States of America.

Settlements: The American Colonies included thirteen distinct settlements, namely Virginia, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Population: The American Colonies attracted settlers from various European countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. The population of the colonies grew from an estimated 2,500 people in 1620 to over two million by the time of the American Revolution in 1775.

Economy: The American Colonies had diverse economies, including agriculture, trade, and manufacturing. They exported various commodities such as tobacco, indigo, rice, and timber, which fueled their economic growth.

Religious Freedom: Many of the American Colonies were established as havens for religious freedom. For example, the Puritans sought religious freedom in Massachusetts, while Quakers established Pennsylvania as a refuge.

Self-Government: The American Colonies developed systems of self-government, with each colony having its own colonial assembly or legislature. These institutions laid the groundwork for the later establishment of democratic governance in the United States.

Missing your favorite colony?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for successful colony

The key factors that should be taken into account include
Economic success

How profitable was the colony? Did it have a thriving trade system and access to valuable resources?
Political stability

Did the colony have a stable and functional government system that promoted order and security?
Social progress

Did the colony promote social progress, such as education, healthcare, and civil rights?
Sustainability

Was the colony able to maintain its productivity and resources while minimizing negative environmental impacts?
Historical significance

Did the colony have a significant impact on world history, such as shaping global events or introducing new ideas and technologies?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful colony. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Colony is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2060 views
204 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Colony once every 24 hours. The rank of each Colony is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful colony

Background Information: The concept of colonization has been around for centuries, and it has played a significant role in shaping the world we live in today. From the 15th century onwards, European nations began to explore and colonize territories around the world, leading to the establishment of many colonies. The success of a colony can be measured in various ways, such as economic prosperity, social stability, and political power. Some of the most successful colonies in history include the British colonies in North America, the Spanish colonies in South America, and the French colonies in Africa. However, it's important to note that the success of a colony often came at the expense of the indigenous population. The process of colonization often involved the displacement and exploitation of native people, leading to lasting social and economic inequalities. While colonization has had a significant impact on our world, it's important to acknowledge and learn from the injustices that occurred during this time. By examining the history of colonization, we can gain a better understanding of the legacy it has left behind and work towards creating a more equitable future.