Colonization
Definition
Colonization is the process of establishing control over the indigenous people of an area.
Analogy
Imagine you're playing a game of chess. You start moving your pieces, taking over more and more of the board, until you've got control over the whole thing. That's what colonization is like - but instead of a game, it's real life with real consequences for the people being colonized.
Related terms
Imperialism: A policy or ideology by which a nation extends its power by acquiring territories. It may also include the exploitation of these territories for economic gain.
Settler Colonialism: A form of colonial formation whereby foreign family units move into a region and reproduce. An imperial power oversees this immigration intending to assert sovereignty over their new territory.
Decolonization: The action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony, leaving it independent.
"Colonization" appears in:
Practice Questions (10)
How might history be different if Native Americans had not been affected by European diseases during colonization?
What was one impact on Native Americans due to colonization by Europeans?
Which European nation's colonization focused on fur trading and establishing settlements along major rivers?
How did Spain's economic policies impact indigenous populations during colonization?
What key technological innovation had a significant impact on the interaction between Native Americans and Europeans during colonization?
What was the primary cause of conflict between European colonizers and Native Americans during colonization?
Which technology did Europeans introduce that significantly impacted Native American cultures during colonization?
Which European power primarily used a system of alliances and intermarriage to extend its influence during colonization?
How did Calvinist beliefs influence Puritan interactions with Native Americans during colonization?
How might colonization differ if Spain hadn't instituted an encomienda system during the early colonial period?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.