Colonialism is the policy and practice of a power extending its control over other peoples or areas, often by establishing colonies and with the aim of economic dominance. For roug
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
Colonialism is the policy and practice of a power extending its control over other peoples or areas, often by establishing colonies and with the aim of economic dominance. For roughly 400 years, from the 16th to the 20th century, a handful of European powers—most notably Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium—conquered and ruled vast territories across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This era of European colonialism was a world-shaping force. It brought immense wealth and power to the colonisers, but for the colonised, it was a story of subjugation, exploitation, and violence. The consequences of this history are not confined to the past; they continue to shape the political, economic, and social realities of our world today.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define colonialism and imperialism.
- Explain the main economic and ideological motivations for European colonialism.
- Describe the impact of colonialism on the political structures of colonised societies.
- Analyse the long-term economic consequences of colonialism for developing nations.
- Understand the concept of "decolonisation" as both a historical process and an ongoing intellectual project.
Colonialism vs. Imperialism
The terms colonialism and imperialism are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Imperialism is the broader idea or ideology of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Colonialism is the practical implementation of imperialism, involving the direct control, settlement, and economic exploitation of a foreign territory. In short, imperialism is the idea; colonialism is the practice. The great European empires of the modern era were both imperialist and colonialist. …