Did colonial rule \"freeze\" colonized societies by preserving old social and economic patterns, or was colonial rule a disruptive force of change? Provide specific evidence to support each side of this question. Solution Transforming: Colonial rule gave African women greater autonomy in their day to day lives, some of whom took advantage of trade. New opportunities were also offered to cash crop farmers who were able to use colonial trade networks for their own benefit. Large scale conversion of some populations to Christianity A minority got Western educations, which transformed their lives and their vision of their society. Preserving: No colonial society underwent Japanese-style industrialization. Colonial societies engages mostly in primary economic activities, such as agriculture. Colonialism stunted the growth of the middle class, creating unstable societies. The practice of ruling through established authorities maintained the status quo..