Imperialism vs Colonialism – Difference Between Colonialism and Imperialism
By Balaji
Updated on: February 17th, 2023
The major difference between Colonialism and Imperialism is that Colonialism is a physical act of setting up certain territories or colonies in any other country apart from the native one. While the term imperialism is used to refer to a country’s policy of using force or diplomacy to take over lands. Although both Colonialism and Imperialism mean the political and economic dominance of the other. Yet there is a significant difference between the two.
Difference Between Colonialism and Imperialism PDF
In simpler words, Imperialism can be considered an idea driving the practice, and colonialism is the practice. Though both mean one country’s domination over the other, there is a subtle Imperialism vs Colonialism difference, which is explained in detail below. Understand the Difference Between Colonialism and Imperialism based on various factors, examples, meanings, and types.
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Difference Between Colonialism and Imperialism
Colonialism is the force to take over other territories or colonies to expand their rule. However, they still maintain allegiance to their mother country. In this article, you will learn about the difference between colonialism and Imperialism in detail and briefly about two.
- Colonialism is a form of Imperialism, but the latter is broader in scope.
- The imperial powers seek to expand their empire and spread their dominance far and wide.
The major difference between Colonialism and Imperialism based on their meaning, aims, features, focus, eco-political aspects, and examples is given in the table below.
Imperialism vs Colonialism
| Difference Between Colonialism and Imperialism | ||
|
Difference based on |
Colonialism |
Imperialism |
|
Meaning |
Colonialism is the practice of dividing the region into colonies to assume physical control over those regions. |
Imperialism refers to the political or economic suppression of one nation by another through soft or hard power. |
|
Aim |
It aims to exploit the conquered countries’ resources for the conqueror’s benefit. |
It seeks to create an empire, expand into neighboring regions, and exert its dominance far and wide. |
|
Feature |
In Colonialism, many people from one region move to another territory to build colonies. The colonies gradually alter the region’s social, physical, and economic structure. |
Such mass movement is not a feature of Imperialism. |
|
Eco-political Aspects |
The native people have to give up on their way of life as it is usually destroyed. |
The native people are allowed to continue with their own way of life. |
|
Focus |
Colonialism focuses on gaining economic access by exploitation. |
Imperialism also focuses on developing those regions through economic and political control. |
|
Settlement |
The settlers came together and formed colonies. |
The settlers do not live in the country they are dominating. |
|
Example |
Settlement and control of Europeans in India, Australia, North America, Algeria, Brazil, etc., is an example of Colonialism. |
The United States looking to become a world power is an instance of Imperialism. |
Colonialism and Imperialism
The difference between Imperialism and Colonialism can be understood based on various factors and examples. The rule of England over India and other countries is an example of colonialism, while an example of imperialism is when a powerful and rich country like the USA dominates over other countries which are not as rich and powerful as the imperialist is.
What is Colonialism?
Colonialism expands control over a foreign region by setting up colonies or dependencies. It is exercised for the economic exploitation of the host country. Colonizers also often propagate their culture, language, and religion to these colonies.
The British Raj in India from 1858 till the country’s independence in 1947 is an example of Colonialism. It can be of various kinds:
- Settler Colonialism: Where one country settles over another, seeking to replace the native population of that region.
- Exploitation Colonialism: Where a powerful country seeks to exploit weaker nations’ natural resources and labor by force.
- Surrogate Colonialism: Where a ruling power encourages and supports a nation to overtake and control another nation.
- Internal Colonialism: Where a powerful group in society dominates the weaker group within that society.
What is Imperialism?
Imperialism is a nation’s policy of extending power and influence over other countries through diplomacy or force. It is the ideology behind Colonialism. A country can rule over another country through soft power (political or economic power) or hard power (military force).
The three major types of Imperialism besides Colonialism are:
- Protectorate: In this type, although a country has its government, a stronger foreign government decides for them.
- Sphere of Influence: It occurs when a foreign government, through its power, claims certain rights and benefits, including trade and investment privileges.
- Economic Imperialism: It is when private businesses control and influence a country’s economy.
Conclusion:
Imperialism vs Colonialism – Key Differences
To conclude, the key difference between Colonialism and Imperialism is that in Colonialism, there is an establishment of a colony of dominators on foreign land, while in the case of imperialism, a country takes over a region or whole country. Nowadays, Colonialism is not a common practice.
