Final answer:
European contact and initial exploration occurred in the fifteenth century, but domination emerged in the nineteenth century due to industrialization; it was short-lived and declined rapidly after World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Europeans first came into contact with the Americas and parts of Africa in the fifteenth century, with the Portuguese seeking gold and later, the slave trade. The stages of European colonization can be characterized by initial exploration and contact, followed by settlement and trade, and ultimately leading to domination and control. European domination began in earnest during the nineteenth century as a result of industrialization and the competition for resources, during which time Europe managed to exert significant control over many parts of the world. Notwithstanding its technological and military superiority, the European dominance was relatively short-lived, notably declining after World War II when colonial empires became unsustainable.
By the 1600s, European countries were actively traveling across the oceans to find new routes and commodities, aiming to dominate and control different regions. This period of settlements marked the expansion of European territory and the establishment of new communities. As Europeans spread their religion and customs, local cultures were changed, the indigenous people were displaced, and the system of slavery became entrenched. Important trading posts were established in Asia, where Europeans used superior weaponry to subdue local populations.
By the mid-nineteenth century, the European powers - most notably Britain and Spain - utilized their advanced military and industrial capabilities to maintain control over vast tracts of land, including most of India and parts of Canada. France and Britain competed for global dominance, but following the defeat of the French, Britain emerged as a predominant colonial power. This era witnessed the rise of ideas of European superiority, often justified by flawed race biology, and ruthless, exploitative methods of governance in the colonies.
The zenith of colonialism, while impactful, lasted only about fifty years. The European nations faced significant challenges during World War I, which redirected their focus away from colonial ambitions, and the aftermath of World War II saw the rapid decline of European empires. By the end of the second global conflict, European colonialism had become an anachronism and the once-expansive empires crumbled, with colonies achieving independence and Europe left to recover from the profound wounds of war.