Ilustracja przedstawiająca plantację cukru w brytyjskiej kolonii na wyspie Antigua.Familiarize yourself with the definition of the term colonialism. Remember what are, in your opinion, its most important elements. 1. The term „colonialism”, although fairly well-known, is poorly specified. When we use it in colloquial language, there is a fear of inaccuracies and generalizations. Therefore, it is worth explaining its origin and scope.The word "colony" originates from ancient Rome; where it meant a group of citizens sent to settle a territory that had not yet been inhabited or was conquered by the Romans. Hence the area was called the "colony". This term also referred to the legal status of this territory - it was partly autonomous, but subordinated to the center in Rome. It was not until the fourteenth century that the term "colony" penetrated the European languages, but for the next two centuries it meant only the ancient Greek and Roman colonies, not the achievements of Europeans on other continents (as these were just beginning)., 2. In the eighteenth century, the term "colony" began to refer to the overseas properties of England and France, and finally the ideologically marked term – "colonialism" – appeared.Generally speaking, colonialism means a certain kind of relationship between the countries-colonizers and their dependent territories. The distribution of forces is dictated by the first ones in this system.In a natural way, colonialism, like any attitude or ideology, quickly found an opponent in the form of "anti-colonialism", which was followed by the idea of "decolonization". These terms illustrate the historical processes that the countries with colonies and their possessions have undergone - from subordination, through opposition, to independence., 3. Colonial influences were built by taking over more areas or subordinating local power structures.Territories controlled by the metropolis, but managed by local authorities, were called protectorates.States officially independent, but economically dependent on Europeans, were referred to as semicolonies. By contrast, dominions; were defined as those British colonies that had full autonomy in internal (and sometimes foreign) policy.Because they were a place of intense white settlement, they could count on greater financial commitment and privileges from the British crown.