What are Imperialism and Colonialism?

Imperialism. A political doctrine that defends the right of some  countries or peoples to rule over others based on cultural, racial and economic superiority of the former over the latter.

 Colonialism. This is imperialism took into practice by establishing colonies in far or nearby territories to exploit them economically.

 Metropolis. The conquering country.

 Colony. Conquered territories.

Imperialism and colonialism appear for the first time in the 19^th century, and are the direct result of industrialization and nationalism. They are not related to the Spanish and Portuguese empires of the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

New empires appeared in the 19th century: the British Empire, the French Empire, the German Empire, the Russian Empire, the Belgian Empire, the Portuguese Empire and the Italian Empire. Curiously Spain will lose its colonies during  this period.

In the 20th century Japan and the United States built their own empires.