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Colonialism is a system in which a state claims sovereignty over territory and people outside its own boundaries, often to facilitate economic domination over their resources, labor, and often markets. The term also refers to a set of beliefs used to legitimize or promote this system, especially the belief that the mores of the colonizer are superior to those of the colonized. Advocates of colonialism argue that colonial rule benefits the colonized by developing the economic and political infrastructure necessary for modernization and democracy. They point to such former colonies as Singapore as examples of post-colonial success.
Dependency theorists such as Andre Gunder Frank, however, argue that colonialism actually leads to the net transfer of wealth from the colonized to the colonizer, and inhibits successful economic development.
Post-colonialist critics such as Franz Fanon argue that colonialism does political, psychological, and moral damage to the colonized as well.
Indian writer and political activist Arundhati Roy said that debating the pros and cons of colonialism/imperialism "is a bit like debating the pros and cons of rape".
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- Colonization
- Colonization of AfricaAncient Colonization North Africa in particular experienced colonization from Europe and Asia Minor in the early historical period. The city of Carthage was established in what is now Tunisia by Phoenician colonists, becoming a major power in the Mediterr
- European colonization of the AmericasThe Vikings were the first Europeans to reach the Americas, starting but then abandoning a colonisation process. For more on this, see Vinland. The first phase of modern European activity in this region began with the oceanic crossings of Christopher Colu
- British colonization of the AmericasBritish colonization of the Americas began in the late 16th century. Colonies were established in North, Central and South America and in the Caribbean, and a protectorate was established in Hawaii. British North America See also Colonial America. The Eng
- Danish colonization of the AmericasExplorers and settlers from Denmark took possession of the Danish Virgin Islands, which Denmark later sold to the United States. Beginning in 1721, they also founded colonies in Greenland, which is now a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
- Dutch colonization of the AmericasDuring the 17th century, Dutch traders established trade posts and plantations throughout the Americas; actual colonization, with Dutch settling in the new lands was not as common as with settlements of other European nations. Many of the Dutch settlement
- New NetherlandNew Netherland ( Dutch Nieuw-Nederland Latin: Nova Belgica was the territory claimed by the Netherlands on the eastern coast of North America in the 17th century. New Netherland was part of the Dutch colonization of the Americas. The coast was previously
- French colonization of the AmericasThe French established colonies across the New World in the 17th century. They were developed to export sugar and furs among other products. North America Explorers and settlers from France settled in what is now Canada, the Mississippi Valley and along t
- New FranceNew France ( French: la Nouvelle-France describes the area colonized by France in North America during a period extending from the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 to the cession of New France to the Kingdom of Great Brit
- Portuguese colonization of the Americas
- Russian colonization of the Americas
- Spanish colonization of the Americas
- Swedish colonization of the Americas
- US colonization outside North America
- New Imperialism
- Neo-colonialism
- Independence
Colonialism
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