Colonization is a process of establishing control over targeted territories or peoples for the purpose of taxation, control, cultivation, often by establishing colonies and possibly by settling them. It involves one group using violent force to take control of land, indigenous peoples, and resources. The term colonization is derived from the Latin words colere ("to cultivate, to till"), colonia ("a landed estate", "a farm") and colonus ("a tiller of the soil", "a farmer"), then by extension "to inhabit".
Colonization can involve the subjugation of a people or area, especially as an extension of state power. It occurs when one nation subjugates another, conquering its population and exploiting it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon its people. Colonialism is closely linked to imperialism, which is the policy or ethos of using power and influence to control another nation or people, that underlies colonialism.
Colonization can also refer to the spread and development of an organism in a new area or habitat. In biology, colonization is sometimes used synonymously with settling, but while colonization historically involved settling, this particular form is called settler colonialism. In this case, colonization is structured and enforced by the settlers directly, while their or their ancestors metropolitan country maintains a connection or control through the settlers colonialism.
In summary, colonization is a process of establishing control over targeted territories or peoples, often by establishing colonies and possibly by settling them. It involves one group using violent force to take control of land, indigenous peoples, and resources. Colonization can involve the subjugation of a people or area, especially as an extension of state power. It can also refer to the spread and development of an organism in a new area or habitat.
