Colonialism is a policy where one country seeks to extend political or economic authority over the people and physical territory of another country. Generally, economic dominance and exploitation of resources is the primary aim of a country indulging in colonialism.

Definition of Colonialism

The word ‘colonialism‘ has its roots in the Latin term “colōnia,” which originally meant “a place for agriculture.” Essentially, colonialism is a strategy where a powerful entity extends its influence over weaker regions or peoples. While various civilizations worldwide have employed this approach since ancient times, when we talk about colonialism today, we often refer to the period from the late 16th century to the early 1970s when European powers economically and politically dominated different continents.

History of Colonialism

In the ancient times, the Assyrian and Roman Empires, around 484 BC to 250 AD, can be seen as early examples of expansion and cultural dominance, hinting at the roots of colonialism. Fast forward to the 15th century, and we find explorers like Christopher Columbus and Francisco Pizarro venturing to the Americas, marking the beginning of modern colonialism. European powers like Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands established their colonies, with the British ruling North America and the Spanish and Portuguese dominating the southern half.

The 19th-century Industrial Revolution fueled colonial expansion into the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It wasn’t until after World War II, in 1945, that former colonies gained independence due to factors like local movements and the economic strain on colonial powers post-war. Projects like the Non-Aligned Movement and the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization, formed in 1962, played crucial roles in supporting decolonization efforts. The final chapter came with the independence of Southern Rhodesia, becoming Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.

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