PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURE OF BRITISH COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

CONTENT

1. Meaning of Colonialism
2. Central Administration
3. Crown Colony
4. Protectorates
5. Trust Territories
6. Native Administration
7. The British System of Colonial Administration

Meaning of Colonialism

Colonialism can be defined as the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

It can also be referred to as the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition, and expansion of a colony in one territory by a political power from another territory. It is a set of unequal relationships between the colonial power and the colony and often between the colonists and the indigenous population. It also means the policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation maintaining or extending its control over other countries.

One challenge one may encounter is the interchangeable use of colonialism and imperialism which often, although erroneously, suggests both possess the same meaning. However, no matter the similarities that exist between both, there is a clear demarcation. Imperialism refers to political or economic control, either formally or informally and colonialism is where one nation assumes formal control over the other.