Imperialism

Imperialism is the the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation (for example Britain or France) over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies.

 

A colony is a new land taken over by a foreign ruler. Often people from the new ruling country leave home to settle in the new land, bringing their own cultural traditions and often imposing these (or attempting to) on the original inhabitants.

An example of this is Britain and France colonizing areas of North America, South America, Asia and Africa. 

The establishment of colonies has had a great impact on history. 

It has distributed knowledge and culture and has led to the discovery and development of new lands. Colonization, however, has also caused the bloodiest wars of conquest and the destruction of peoples who stood in the paths of spreading empires.

Read more @ KidsNet

See a complete list (it's HUGE!) of British colonies through the ages.