What is colonialism primarily defined as?

Colonialism is primarily defined as the practice where a powerful country takes control of a weaker country or region, often by force. This control can involve settling people from the powerful country in the new land, exploiting its resources, and imposing its culture and government on the local population. For example, when European countries colonized parts of Africa and Asia, they often disregarded the local customs and took valuable resources back to their home countries. This led to significant changes in the lives of the people in the colonized areas, including loss of land and cultural identity. Overall, colonialism has had lasting effects on societies and is a key factor in many historical conflicts.