This subfield examines the way in which colonialism impacted the land tenure and territories of the colonized societies.
Motivations for Imperialism: The political, economic, and social factors that drove European powers to colonize other regions of the world.
The Scramble for Africa: The process by which European powers divided and colonized the continent, along with the impacts it had on African societies.
The Opium Wars: The conflict between Britain and China over the opium trade, which led to the colonization of Hong Kong and increased European influence in China.
The Partition of India: The creation of Pakistan and India as independent nations after British colonization, and the lasting impacts on the region.
The Congo Free State: The brutal exploitation of the Congo by the Belgian King Leopold II, which serves as an example of the worst excesses of European imperialism.
Economic Imperialism: The practice of exploiting weaker nations for their natural resources and labor, often under the guise of "development" or "modernization.".
Resistance to Imperialism: The ways in which colonized peoples resisted and fought against colonial rule, including armed rebellion, political organization, and cultural resistance.
The Doctrine of Manifest Destiny: The belief that American expansion westward was both justified and inevitable, and the impacts it had on Native American communities.
Imperialism in the Middle East: The division of the Ottoman Empire and European colonization of the region, including the role of oil in shaping colonial interests.
Postcolonialism: The intellectual and cultural movement that critiques and challenges the legacies of imperialism and colonialism in contemporary society.
Settlement imperialism: This type of imperialism involves colonizers moving to and settling in new territories, often leading to the displacement or genocide of indigenous populations.
Mercantile imperialism: This type of imperialism involves a powerful country using its economic and trading power to dominate other countries and territories.
Indirect imperialism: This type of imperialism involves a country exerting its influence and control over a territory without directly occupying or ruling it. This can occur through economic or political means, such as providing loans, forming alliances, or imposing trade restrictions.
Protectorate imperialism: This type of imperialism involves a powerful country acting as a protector of a weaker country or territory, often in exchange for economic or political advantages.
Neocolonialism: This term refers to a new form of imperialism that emerged after decolonization, where powerful countries continue to exert control and influence over former colonies through economic, political, and cultural means.
Cultural imperialism: This type of imperialism involves the spread of a dominant culture, language, or worldview to other countries and territories, often leading to the erosion of local cultures and traditions.
Military imperialism: This type of imperialism involves the use of military force to conquer and control other territories, often resulting in violence and conflict.
Informal imperialism: This type of imperialism involves a country exerting its influence and control over another country or territory through informal means, such as through multinational corporations or international organizations.
Cyber imperialism: This type of imperialism involves the use of digital and technological means to exert control and influence over other countries and territories.
Territorial imperialism: This type of imperialism involves the acquisition of new territories through conquest, annexation, or other means, often leading to the division and fragmentation of existing communities and societies.