Senior Library Books
Resource Key
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Key Terms Descriptions
Britannica Links
- Empire An empire is a type of political unit. Throughout history countries have wanted to control lands beyond their borders. The word imperialism refers to the practice of a country’s extending its political power, especially through the acquisition of conquered territory. Such a country and the lands it controls are called an empire. An empire imposes its rule on peoples of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds with different political systems.
- Colonial Legacy Perhaps the most important legacy of colonialism is the division of Africa into more than 50 states whose boundaries were set without regard for where the people lived or how they organized their own political divisions.
- Anticolonial resistance (Africa) As European colonial powers staked their claims in Africa in the late 19th century, they faced opposition from most of the indigenous peoples, whether living in states or small-scale societies. The Africans were not particularly cohesive in their resistance, however. In some cases, existing commercial relationships between African states and European nations made African rulers ambivalent toward the colonizers, and they alternated between strategies of collaboration and resistance.
- European Contact and Conquest The second major phase of Asian history was the period of European contact and conquest, starting in about 1500 and continuing into the mid-20th century. The European interest in Asia was partly just curiosity and awe, but it became mainly a desire to exploit the wealth of Asia, especially its spices and silks. To do this, the Europeans had to conquer and colonize much of Asia
Databases
- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new window
Britannica School covers the core subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History. Interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, worksheets, manipulatives, study guides and research tools.
- World Book Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Online version of the complete reference work along with dictionary, atlas, links, magazines, historical documents, audio, video, images, and 3D photograph
Introduction
Colonialism is the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition, and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a set of unequal relationships between the colonial power and the colony and often between the colonists and the indigenous population.
The European colonial period was the era from the 16th century to the mid-20th century when several European powers (particularly, but not exclusively, Portugal, Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, and France) established colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At first the countries followed mercantilist policies designed to strengthen the home economy at the expense of rivals, so the colonies were usually allowed to trade only with the mother country. By the mid-19th century, however, the powerful British Empire gave up mercantilism and trade restrictions and introduced the principle of free trade, with few restrictions or tariffs.
Colonialism was always portrayed in the colonizing country (in public) as bringing benefits for the colony. They included: increased standard of living, benefits of Christianity, improved health and education, establishing law and order, etc
General Articles - Colonisation & Trade
- Fresno Unified School District: Colonialism and ImperialismEuropean Imperialism
By 1875 European possessions in Africa consisted of some forts and trading posts along the coast and a few tiny colonies. Between 1880 and 1910, however, Africa was divided up among the Europeans. For the next 50 years decisions affecting Africa and its people were made not in Africa, but in London, Paris, Lisbon and other European capitals...
Introduction Lecture
Definitions
- Empirenoun - a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as the former British Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, Byzantine Empire, or Roman Empire.
- Colonynoun - a group of people who leave their native country to form in a new land a settlement subject to, or connected with, the parent nation.
- Colonisationverb - (used with object), colonized, colonizing; to establish a colony in; settle: England colonized Australia.
- Imperialismnoun - the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.