Final answer:
The Trojan War may be considered a colonial conflict due to similarities with later historical colonial wars, which were fought between European powers over territorial control and expansion, often involving alliances with native populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In what sense was the Trojan War a colonial conflict? The concept of the Trojan War as a colonial conflict can be inferred from the common themes shared with conflicts during the era of colonial wars. The colonial wars in history, especially during the period from the late 17th to mid-18th century, saw European powers such as Britain, France, and Spain and their colonies fighting primarily over territorial expansion and control in North America. This often involved forging uneasy alliances with native groups to gain an advantage over colonial rivals. Therefore, if the Trojan War did occur, it can be seen as an early form of a colonial conflict because it reflects a struggle between emerging powers over territory and influence, much like the European powers battling for dominance in the New World.