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Colonialism



Colonialism, political and economic subordination of an area by a geographically removed parent country. The ruling country is more technologically advanced than the colony. Often the rulers and the colonial subjects are of different races. Colonialism dates to the Phoenicians; Rome was the largest ancient colonizer. As a vehicle for European expansion, modern colonialism dates from c.1500. Colonialism may be both beneficial and detrimental: Developing areas may receive technological and economic advances, but may have a foreign culture forced upon them or have their resources exploited by the occupying state.



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21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia - Clyde to Constable, John