👉 Colonialism, also known as imperialism or colonial expansion, is an economic and political system that involves the exploitation of another country's resources for one's own benefit. This can include the control of trade routes, the sale of raw materials to countries in need, and the use of military force to maintain these privileges. The concept originated in the late 16th century with the first European explorers like Christopher Columbus who explored new lands in search of gold and spices. Colonization was a