Colonialism and Imperialism Overview

Study Notes

Colonialism is the direct control and occupation of one country by another, aiming to claim and exploit resources. The controlled territory is called a colony.
Imperialism is the expansion of a country's influence to control other countries' economies, politics, and cultures. Colonialism is a method of imperialism.
Colonial control methods include military force, bringing citizens to live permanently in the colony, and establishing similar governmental systems, education, religion and laws to those in the controlling country.
Imperialism can be direct, like establishing a colony, or indirect, like concessions, protectorates, or spheres of influence.
A concession gives foreigners control over trade and resources in a specific area.
A protectorate involves a powerful country protecting a smaller one but maintaining control. France's protectorate over Cambodia is mentioned as an example (1863).
A sphere of influence is a region where a powerful country has predominant influence over political, economic and social activities.
Imperialists exploit natural resources and labor.
Imperialists use force, intimidation and deception to achieve compliance.
Colonization and Imperialism often result in resistance and resistance from the natives/colonized people/land.
Colonialism is understood as the conquest of one country by another and is directly related to imperialism, but not synonymous with it. Knowing the differences between terms is key to understanding the strategies.

Direct occupation involves a centralized government where foreign powers hold all important positions, often forcing assimilation of local cultures and traditions.
Indirect occupation involves allowing local leaders to stay in place, but with significant foreign control over governance (taxation, foreign relations, trade, communications). Portuguese control of Malacca starting 1511 is an example of direct colonial control.

Colonialism and Imperialism are key concepts in understanding the history of Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
Imperialism is the expansion of power, control or influence.
Colonialism is one way of achieving imperialism (direct control).
Colonization goals include the control of land, direct control of people, control of resources and the benefitting from cheap labor/services.
Indirect approaches like protectorates, concessions and sphere of influence is a more subtle/less direct form of controlling/exploiting other regions.
In indirect control, imperialist countries (foreigners) may control important governmental areas like taxes and regulations but natives are allowed to maintain some positions.

Colonialism: the direct and complete control of a territory by a more powerful nation-state.
Imperialism: the expansion of a country's power and influence over other countries.
Methods of Imperialist control: direct colonialism; protectorates; concessions; spheres of influence
Three methods of establishing direct colonial control: military force, moving citizens, implementing similar government/social systems in the colony
"kolonus" means farmer (Latin origin of the word "colony").
Concession: a territory granted to foreign entities for limited control over particular issues.
Colonial/imperialist powers often have interests in exploiting resources, labor, and territory.