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Colonial Empires

Definition

A colonial empire is a collection of territories (often overseas) controlled by a single state, known as the mother country. These empires were established primarily between the 16th and 20th centuries by European powers.

Analogy

Think of a colonial empire like a large corporation with many branches or franchises in different locations. The head office (mother country) controls these branches, making decisions about their operations, resources, and profits.

Related terms

Imperialism: This refers to the policy or ideology where a nation extends its power by acquiring territories. It can be achieved through force or by gaining political and economic control of other areas.

Colonization: This is the process of establishing settlements in a region by people who are from a different geographical area. These settlers often take control over the indigenous population.

Decolonization: This is the undoing of colonialism, where colonies become independent of their colonizers' rule. It usually involves political processes but can also involve violent conflict.