Colonialism is defined as the imposition of foreign rule on a territory.
This typically involves the acquisition and control of territory and resources by a foreign power or nation, often for the purpose of exploiting those resources for the benefit of the colonizing power. This can involve the establishment of colonies, which are territories controlled by a foreign power, as well as the imposition of political and economic structures that benefit the colonizing power at the expense of the local population.
Historically, colonialism has been associated with European expansion and imperialism, particularly during the 16th to the 19th centuries. However, colonialism can also take other forms and occur in different regions of the world.
In summary, colonialism is the imposition of foreign rule on a territory for the purpose of exploiting resources for the benefit of the colonizing power, and it has been associated with European expansion and imperialism during the 16th to the 19th centuries.