Lebensraum is a German term meaning 'living space'. In geopolitics, it was used to justify expansionist policies, particularly those of Nazi Germany. The concept suggests that a state needs territory to grow and provide resources for its population.
Think of Lebensraum as wanting a bigger backyard because your family loves outdoor activities and needs more space for them. However, in this case, the desire for more space led to aggressive actions.
Expansionism: This refers to the policy or ideology of extending a nation's boundaries. It's like if you decided to expand your lemonade stand business into every street in town.
Imperialism: This is when one country extends its power by acquiring territories or establishing dominance over other nations. Imagine if the most popular kid at school started controlling who could join different clubs - that would be similar to imperialism.
Colonization: This involves one country taking over another area to be used for their benefit. It's akin to setting up camp in someone else's backyard without their permission.
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