Final answer:
Imperialism is the extended domination by a foreign power over a territory and its people and involves political, social, economic, and cultural aspects. Examples throughout history, like British and Russian competitions for control, elucidate this concept that often includes military conquest and the spread of culture and governance structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political, social, economic, and cultural domination of a territory and its people by a foreign power for an extended period of time is known as imperialism.
Three Types of Imperialism
- A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically.
- Sphere of influence: a foreign power has political or exclusive control in the form of military bases and areas of business.
- The expansion and domination of a strong nation over weaker nations that can involve military conquest to impose political control, establish markets, invest funds, and prevent encroachment by other industrial powers.
Examples include Great Britain's competition with Russia for control over Afghanistan to protect its interests in India, and the historical spread of the British parliamentary system and English language through colonialism. Imperialism was justified by the belief in European superiority, aiming to spread Christian values and customs. Traditionally, empires maintained control by providing order in exchange for taxes, often leaving local customs untouched unless they posed a threat to the imperial authority.