What does anticolonialism mean?
Anticolonialism is the opposition to colonial rule and the political struggle to end domination by an imperial power. It can refer to a broad ideology, a collection of movements, or the campaign for self-government and national independence. Historically, anticolonial movements have challenged foreign rule in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world, often combining nationalist claims with demands for economic and social equality. The term became especially prominent during the second half of the twentieth century, when decolonization transformed the international order and created many new states. In contemporary discussion, anticolonialism can also describe efforts to address unequal power relationships, including the legacy of colonialism. It is distinct from anti-imperialism: although the terms overlap, anti-imperialism more directly opposes imperial domination, whereas anticolonialism focuses specifically on colonial rule. The related adjective anticolonial describes a position, movement, or policy opposed to colonialism.
nounThe opposition to colonialism, especially the political movement or principle of ending colonial rule and establishing self-government or independence.
- The political opposition to colonial rule, including the struggle for national independence and self-government.
"The movement united workers, students, and nationalist leaders in a broad campaign of anticolonialism."
"The lecture examined the role of anticolonialism in the formation of newly independent states."
"Her research focuses on the literature and political thought of anticolonialism."
Rare. Anticolonialism is normally treated as an uncountable noun and is used in the singular.
"These anticolonialisms developed in very different political contexts."
After World War II, anticolonialism became a global force that redrew the world map and brought dozens of new states into being.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does anticolonialism come from?
Anticolonialism combines the prefix anti-, meaning “against,” with colonial and the suffix -ism, indicating a doctrine, condition, or movement. Colonial derives from Latin colonialis, associated with colonia, meaning a farm, settlement, or colony, and ultimately with colere, “to cultivate” or “inhabit.” The compound therefore describes opposition to the political and economic system represented by colonial rule, while related words such as colony, colonize, and colonialism share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How anticolonialism is actually used
A formal and chiefly political or historical term. It is usually used as an uncountable noun; the related adjective is commonly written anticolonial, while anti-colonial is also widely accepted.