Colonialism refers to a government policy in which a country establishes its power over other regions and territories. Imperialism is a similar practice, which occurs when a nation extends its rule over another country and people, most often through military, political and economic control.
The practices of colonialism and imperialism have led to a great variety of consequences, both positive and negative.The negatives usually included the death and abuse of indigenous people, or the depletion of natural resources. However, the positive ones often included growth and development.
For example, colonizers often brought new practices to the indigenous people they conquered. These practices often allowed for the development of more organized, more efficient or more stable communities. An example of this could be found in the Roman Empire, which spread Roman law over its conquered territories.
Another consequence is that of improved standards of living for most or some of the population. For example, the British government made some changes in India that improved the life of a large percentage of the population, such as the introduction of the railroad, schools, and better sanitation.
