IntroductionColonialism and imperialism have both played an important role in the development of the Belfast landscape we know today. In the 1500s Ireland was initially conquered by Great Britain through settlements known as plantations in Ulster which were generally loyal to the British Empire. However, most of Ireland's remaining islands resisted British rule, so years later Irish independence was declared, but Northern Ireland remained under British rule. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay This essay will describe the colonialism and imperialism of the British Empire in a global context, including how Ireland, particularly Dublin, was affected by the rule of British imperialism and how it differs from Belfast. Belfast today still has links to the British Empire as it is still a member of the United Kingdom. This essay will explore how Belfast's landscape became what we know today and how the monuments surrounding City Hall highlight the city's colonial and imperial past. Therefore, monuments and statues were selected as a focal point to describe Belfast's imperial and colonial past. as “monuments can become both historical symbols of the nation and fixed points in our contemporary landscapes”. Literature Review Belfast's contemporary landscape can be characterized by its links to the colonialism and imperialism of the past. Although it has several definitions, colonialism can generally be defined as “the physical occupation of a land by people associated with another place.” Therefore, the general idea is that the land is owned by people who are not typically from this area. Furthermore, imperialism is “a relationship of political, and/or economic and/or cultural domination or subordination between geographic areas.” This indicates the complex and unequal relations between these countries caused by imperialism. These terms can be used together in similar contexts. However, their differences are that colonialism is often described as the physical act of conquering areas by a certain more powerful country. While imperialism focuses more on having power over less developed and less powerful countries through political and economic terms. Both colonialism and imperialism have had effects on almost every continent, but yes. The British Empire was claimed to be one of the largest and most powerful empires in the world. This empire was so powerful that it had colonies in parts of Antarctica, Canada, India, and Australia. This map of the colonial world shows how important the British Empire was in relation to imperialism and colonialism. For example, this map uses the Mercator projection which gives a distorted image of the globe placing England at the center of the map, indicating its central position in colonialism creating a sense of superiority. Also, specifically for this map, there are images surrounding the world. The figure of the monarch symbolizes the queen, the head of the British Empire. He sits on a globe that emphasizes the British Empire's ideology of ruling the world. These parts of the world over which they have power are also highlighted in red on the map, symbolizing power and control. Imperialism and colonialism are still very much present today, as some colonies known as colonial hangovers still exist in the modern world. These are presented through relics. Phillips says that in these relics Britain still has areas such as Gibraltar, part of Antarctica, the Falklands and Monserrat. By the beginning of the 19th century, all of Ireland had becomepart of the United Kingdom, indicating the presence of British imperialism. Whelan talks about Dublin's colonial and imperial past which has shaped its current landscape using monuments and statues. In the late 18th century statues and monuments of the monarchy's rulers such as Queen Victoria, King William and both George I and George II were erected and unveiled before independence was achieved in 1922. While under the rule of the British Empire they were erected and unveiled statues to recognize the power of the British Empire, creating clear links between Ireland and its imperial rulers at that particular time. However, after Ireland gained independence from colonial and imperial rulers, many of these statues were demolished, destroyed or removed from their central locations in the city to more peripheral locations in the city. For example, in 1937, the statue was dedicated to King George II. This statue had been removed from the center of St Stephen's Green. Ironically, years later, in 1966, a statue dedicated to Thomas Davis had been erected to replace the statue of the king, indicating the postcolonial period that occurred after Ireland declared independence. This became a common trend in postcolonial Ireland as Whelan portrays the erection of monuments dedicated to Daniel O'Connell and Parnell, central figures in the struggle for independence in Ireland, underlining the idea that monuments can create a sense of belonging national. identity.“monuments can become both historic symbols of nation and fixed points in our contemporary landscapes 509”In relation to Belfast, a colonial and imperial past has helped shape its current landscape. The map presented by Fall shows the major shipping lines of the world in relation to the British colonial empire. A common pattern that can be seen is that most shipping lines lead back to Great Britain and, more commonly, to port cities. Belfast is included as one of these port cities. This enabled colonialism and imperialism in Belfast due to its access points for importing goods from colonial countries. Whelan illustrates public monuments and their power as “symbolic places of meaning and explores their role in constructing a landscape of colonial power.” In Dublin, after Irish independence, monuments and statues recognizing the power of the British Empire had been removed or relocated. However, in Belfast, there are still statues recognizing the British monarchy, indicating Belfast's remaining links to the British Empire. An example of this is the Victoria monument located outside the City Hall in central Belfast which shows Belfast's colonial and imperial past as it has a central place in the city, indicating how imperialism was central to Belfast. This monument was sculpted and created by Thomas Brock and was unveiled in 1903. This monument was built to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Queen Victoria is surrounded by bronze figures representing the spinning industries of linen and shipbuilding symbolizing the imperial and colonial empire. past of Belfast. The linen industry in Belfast was a key factor in the economic and industrial development of Belfast. This industry benefited greatly from colonialism as during times of the slave trade, Belfast linen was used and exported to be used as clothing for slaves in Caribbean countries, thus contributing to Belfast's colonial ties and also increasing its development economic. Furthermore, as the linen industry had become an important part of Belfast's economic and industrial development, the city was rapidly becoming one of the Empire's major manufacturing cities.