Over the course of history, peoples have been trying to conquer other peoples to acquire power and exert influence over those they conquer. Though the term 'imperialism' is a relatively new concept, the ideas go way back even in ancient times.
But one of the main questions that this article tackles is whether imperialism is any different from colonialism. Surely, there are overlapping ideas between the two but they're not the same.
To give a quick run-down on why colonialism and imperialism are different; colonialism specifically refers to conquest by settlement and economic exploitation. It is still based on the fundamental ideas of expansionism and subjugation of other nations, like imperialism, though.
For more information on what imperialism is, its origins, and the different examples in history, check them on Sporcle.
(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
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And... the British Empire was an honest effort to bring the benefits of Modern British civilization to the backwards, benighted, heathen tribes occupying the lesser-used parts of the world. With the full assistance of the Anglish Church. So, North America became British, and honored the Queen. Ditto India, parts of Africa, Anzac, etc.The other, lesser empires, assisted by the Roman Catholic Church, didn't try to create imperial citizens, just subjects, and trade sources.
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Nobody is really safe.
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What you realize the older you get is everything scales. You can't rely on simple theories to see the world. My father was highly oppressive to me for 20 years. African tribes genocide each other all the time, but they don't genocide nations across the ocean because it's beyond their scope. Bees genocide bees. And all the while, people will say "well whoever is at the top of the pyramid, they are the most to blame". And yet nothing ever changes. Because simple theories don't change determinism.
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