What is colonialism primarily characterized by?

Colonialism is primarily characterized by the conquest and control of foreign lands and resources. This involves a dominant country establishing rule over another territory, often through military force or coercion. The essence of colonialism lies in the extraction of resources, exploitation of local populations, and the imposition of the colonizer's culture, political systems, and economic structures upon the colonized region. This often leads to significant social and economic transformations within the colonized societies, as their structures are altered or replaced to benefit the colonizers.

The focus on conquest and control differentiates colonialism from other phenomena like cultural wealth distribution, international trade, or migration and exchange. While these aspects can be present in colonial contexts, they are not the defining characteristics of colonialism itself. Rather, they can be seen as effects or consequences that arise from the overarching principles of dominance and exploitation inherent in the colonial process.