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The impact of forced assimilation by dominant powers

THE purpose of this article is to bring awareness and hopefully educate.

When a dominant country requires assimilation of a territory or population under its control, the consequences are far-reaching — often reshaping politics, culture, identity, and economy for generations. Assimilation is the process by which a ruling power compels a population to adopt its language, customs, legal systems, and worldview. While it is sometimes justified as a path toward “unity” or “civilization,” the reality is often complex, leaving deep social and historical scars.

1) Political and Administrative Changes

Governance Restructuring

One of the first steps in assimilation is the reorganization of governance. Local institutions are replaced or heavily supervised by the dominant country’s administrative structure, ensuring decisions align with central authority.

Legal Harmonization

The local legal code is often replaced with that of the dominant country. This is done to streamline control, but it can also strip communities of their traditional justice systems and erode local autonomy.

Loss of Sovereignty

The controlled population generally loses the ability to make decisions for itself. Policy-making becomes the exclusive domain of the dominant government, leaving little room for self-determination.

2) Cultural and Linguistic Pressure

Language Imposition

A common feature of assimilation is requiring the use of the dominant language in schools, government, and public life. Over time, this can lead to the decline — or even extinction — of local languages.

Suppression of Local Traditions

Native religions, rituals, and celebrations may be restricted, marginalized, or banned outright. In their place, the dominant country’s holidays and customs are elevated.

Rewriting of History

The narrative of the past may be reshaped to justify foreign rule. History books often present assimilation as progress, portraying the dominant power as a civilizing force.

3) Education and Socialization

Education System Overhaul

Schools are a powerful tool for assimilation. They teach the history, heroes, and values of the ruling country, often framing the controlled population’s culture as secondary or backward.

Identity Transformation

As children are educated in the dominant culture, they may begin to identify less with their native heritage. Over time, entire generations may grow up viewing themselves primarily through the lens of the colonizing power’s identity.

4) Economic Restructuring

Integration into Dominant Economy

Assimilation often redirects local industries and agriculture to support the dominant country’s economy. This can include the export of raw materials, forced labor systems, or changes in production priorities.

Land Redistribution

Land is sometimes confiscated or reallocated, often to settlers or local elites loyal to the dominant country. This process can displace indigenous communities and erode traditional land ownership systems.

5. Resistance and Conflict

Cultural Resistance

Despite official pressure, many communities resist assimilation quietly, preserving language, religion, and traditions in secret or within family circles.

Nationalism or Independence Movements

Forced assimilation can ignite resentment. In some cases, it sparks uprisings, organized resistance, or long-term independence movements that challenge the dominant power’s control.

Generational Trauma

Communities may suffer deep psychological and cultural wounds. The loss of identity, combined with historical injustices, can lead to mistrust of authority and intergenerational struggles.

6) Possible Long-Term Outcomes

Full Assimilation

Over several generations, some populations fully adopt the dominant culture, resulting in the near-complete loss of indigenous language, practices, and identity.

Cultural Syncretism

In other cases, assimilation produces a hybrid culture, blending traditions of both the dominant power and the local population into something new and unique.

De-assimilation (Revival)

When foreign control ends, there may be a cultural revival. Traditional practices, languages, and identities reemerge as communities work to reclaim what was once suppressed.

Conclusion

Assimilation under the direction of a dominant power is rarely a neutral process. It can reshape every facet of life — politics, economy, education, culture — and its effects ripple through generations. While some degree of cultural exchange can lead to innovation and growth, forced assimilation often comes at the cost of identity, autonomy, and historical memory. Whether the result is complete cultural absorption, a new hybrid culture, or a revival of suppressed traditions, the legacy of assimilation leaves an indelible mark on societies and nations.

Something to think about concerning our people, culture, and traditions within the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Territory of Guam.

Respectfully,

FRANK MANGLONA

Dandan, Saipan

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