Colonization: meaning, definitions and examples
🌍
colonization
[ ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃən ]
historical process
Colonization refers to the act of setting up a colony away from one's place of origin. It involves the establishment of control over a foreign territory and its people, often accompanied by the migration of settlers. Historically, colonization has been linked to economic exploitation and cultural domination, as colonizers impose their own social, political, and economic systems on indigenous populations. This process has significantly shaped national borders and cultures around the world. The impacts of colonization can still be seen in contemporary society, influencing various aspects such as governance, language, and social structures.
Synonyms
establishment, occupation, settlement
Examples of usage
- The colonization of the Americas changed the landscape of the continent.
- Many countries are still dealing with the effects of colonization.
- Colonization often resulted in the displacement of native populations.
Translations
Translations of the word "colonization" in other languages:
🇵🇹 colonização
🇮🇳 उपनिवेशीकरण
🇩🇪 Kolonisierung
🇮🇩 kolonisasi
🇺🇦 колонізація
🇵🇱 kolonizacja
🇯🇵 植民地化
🇫🇷 colonisation
🇪🇸 colonización
🇹🇷 sömürgeleştirme
🇰🇷 식민지화
🇸🇦 استعمار
🇨🇿 kolonizace
🇸🇰 kolonizácia
🇨🇳 殖民化
🇸🇮 kolonizacija
🇮🇸 nýlenda
🇰🇿 отарлау
🇬🇪 კოლონიზაცია
🇦🇿 kolonizasiya
🇲🇽 colonización
Word origin
The term 'colonization' originates from the Latin word 'colonus', meaning 'farmer' or 'settler'. This word evolved through the French 'coloniser', which means 'to settle or inhabit'. Colonization was a prominent practice during the Age of Discovery, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when European powers explored and claimed territories across the globe, often driven by economic interests and the desire for resources. Colonization led to profound changes in global geopolitics and culture, resulting in the transfer of plants, animals, ideas, and technologies between the Old World and the New World. It also led to significant human suffering and the exploitation of indigenous populations, making it a complex and controversial aspect of world history.