A policy or ideology of extending a nation's power through colonization, economic dominance, or political influence over other countries. It involves the practice of maintaining an empire through direct or indirect control.
From Latin 'imperium' (command, empire) + '-ism.' The term gained prominence in the late 19th century during the 'New Imperialism' period when European powers rapidly expanded their overseas territories and spheres of influence.
Imperialism shaped our modern world map - nearly every current border was influenced by imperial powers drawing lines on maps thousands of miles away! The effects persist today in language patterns, legal systems, and economic relationships that trace back to these imperial networks.
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