Colonial History

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The period of a state's history during which it was under European colonial rule. Learning about colonial history is important to understanding how the state's institutions and society were shaped by colonialism, and how the legacy of colonialism continues to affect the state today.

Early Settlement: Focuses on the earliest European settlements in the Americas, including Plymouth, Jamestown, and Quebec. This topic covers the arrival of the first settlers and their interactions with Native American tribes.
Transatlantic Trade: Examines the economic and political aspects of transatlantic trade during the colonial period. Topics may include the triangular trade, the slave trade, and the growth of mercantilism.
Religious Diversity: Covers the various religious groups that settled in the colonies, including Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics. This topic explores religious tolerance and intolerance in the colonies.
Colonial Politics: Examines the political structures of the various colonies and the relationships between the colonies and Britain. This topic typically includes discussions of taxation, representation, and the American Revolution.
Native American Relations: Focuses on the interactions between European settlers and Native American tribes. This topic covers the various treaties and agreements made between European settlers and Native Americans, as well as the resulting conflicts.
Slavery and Abolition: Examines the institution of slavery in the colonies and the eventual movement to abolish it. This topic typically covers the roles of abolitionists and the Underground Railroad.
Women in Colonial America: Examines the roles and experiences of women in the colonies. Topics may include women's rights, education, and marriage customs.
Cultural Changes: Examines the changes in culture and society during the colonial period, including the growth of urbanization, the spread of new technologies, and the rise of the Enlightenment.
Military History: Covers the major wars and conflicts of the colonial period, including the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. This topic explores the political and military strategies of the colonial powers.
Exploration and Discovery: Examines the explorations and discoveries of the colonial period, including the voyages of Christopher Columbus, the expeditions of Lewis and Clark, and the settlement of the American West.
Political History: This type of history focuses on the emergence and development of political structures and systems within a colonial state or territory.
Economic History: This type of history deals with the economic activities of the colonial state or territory, such as agriculture, trade, and commerce.
Social History: This type of history investigates the social dynamics of the colonial state, including the customs, traditions, beliefs, and institutions of the population.
Cultural History: This type of history is focused on the cultural aspects of the colonial state, including art, literature, music, and religion.
Military History: This type of history studies the major military conflicts and wars that took place during the period of colonial rule.
Environmental History: This type of history focuses on the impact of colonialism on the natural environment, including its effect on natural resources and the ecology of the region.
Intellectual History: This type of history examines the ideas and ideological movements prevalent within the colonial state, including the philosophical, political, and religious beliefs of its people.
Gender History: This type of history explores the gendered experiences of colonial subjects, including gender roles, identities, and struggles.
Legal History: This type of history investigates the laws and legal systems that were established within the colonial state and how they evolved over time.
Health History: This type of history studies the health issues and policies within the colonial state, including disease outbreaks, medical practices, and healthcare systems.
"Colonialism is a practice by which a country controls people or areas, often by establishing colonies, generally for strategic and economic advancement."
"Colonialism is etymologically rooted in the Latin word 'Colonus', which was used to describe tenant farmers in the Roman Empire."
"Colonialism has existed since ancient times."
"The concept is most strongly associated with the European and Japanese empires."
"Starting in the 15th century and extending to the mid-1900s."
"At first, conquest followed policies of mercantilism, aiming to strengthen the home-country economy."
"Agreements usually restricted the colony to trading only with the metropole (mother country)."
"By the mid-19th century."
"Missionaries were active in practically all of the European-controlled colonies because the metropoles were Christian."
"Historian Philip Hoffman calculated that by 1800, before the Industrial Revolution, Europeans already controlled at least 35% of the globe."
"By 1914, they had gained control of 84% of the globe."
"Colonial powers retreated between 1945 and 1975; over which time nearly all colonies gained independence, entering into changed colonial, so-called postcolonial and neocolonialist relations."
"The coloni sharecroppers started as tenants of landlords, but the system evolved so they were permanently indebted to the landowner and were trapped in servitude."
"The system evolved so they were permanently indebted to the landowner and were trapped in servitude."
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