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Colonized by Spain in 1492

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Colonized by Spain in 1509

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Colonized by Spain in 1943

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Colonized by Spain in 1521

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Colonized by Britian in 1757

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Colonized by Spain in 1565

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Not colonized

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Colonizer

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Colonized by Britian in 1788

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Colonized by Britian in 1840

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Annexed by USA in 1898

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Colonizer

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Colonizer

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Colonizer

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Colonized by France in 1858

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Colonizer

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Colonizer

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Colonized by Britian in 1882

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Colonized by Belgium in 1885

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Colonized by the Dutch in 1652, later Britian in 1806

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Not colonized

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Colonizer

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The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) - European powers met in Berlin to divide Africa among themselves, leading to the "Scramble for Africa.

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The Sepoy Rebellion, started in 1857 and ended that same year, was a big uprising against British rule in India. It was fueled by resentment toward British policies and religious insensitivity. What caused it to start up was the introduction of the British’s new rifle cartridges that were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, deeply offending Muslim and Hindu soldiers. The Sepoys refused to use them and because of that they were very harshly punished, sparking the open rebellion. However, other factors before this like the high taxes, land seizures, and British interference in their traditions also caused many to be displeased, the rifle cartridges were just the final breaking point for the natives. The uprising spread quickly with local rulers, citizens, and Sepoys attacking British officers and reclaiming many cities such as Kanpur, Delhi, and Lucknow. Despite these factors, the rebellion was ultimately crushed with brutal British retaliation. Even though the rebellion had failed, it became a symbol of Indian resistance and a step toward future independence movements.

The British had justified their actions by portraying the rebellion as a most treacherous uprising that needed to be crushed to maintain natural order. They claimed that they were bringing progress, law, and civilization to India, saying their rule was essential for India’s development. Many British officials also used the violence of the rebels as justification for their own response. Even after the rebellion had ended, the people of India were not done suffering as the British executed thousands of suspected rebels, destroying villages, and intensifying their rule. The East India Company was fully dissolved and India was placed directly under British Crown rule in 1858, marking the start of the British Raj. While Britain had introduced some reforms, they did so only to secure their own authority.

Looking at both perspectives, the native resistance of India was a lot more justified than the British response. The Sepoys and the Indian civilians were fighting against their exploitation, disrespect for their culture, and foreign control, while the British were mainly focused on just maintaining their own rule and economic dominance. The British showed very little concern of Indian traditions and responded with brutality that caused immense suffering to the natives. While they had claimed to be modernizing India, their reforms mainly benefited only themselves by strengthening their own control. The harsh punishments and mass executions of rebels and or suspected rebels only served as a demonstration of British imperialism, further proving that they prioritized dominance over the well-being of the people they ruled. Additionally, the rebellion revealed a growing nationalism spirit in India, which would later inspire many movements such as the Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi's independence campaigns. Though the rebellion ended in failure, it still marked the beginning of India’s long struggle for freedom, proving that colonial rule  would always be met with resistance. The sacrifices of the rebels were not in vain as they laid the groundwork for what ultimately became their independence movement, leading to their freedom in 1947.

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The Panama Canal - completed in 1914, became a crucial trade route controlled by the U.S. until Panama regained full authority in 1999.

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King Leopold II - ruled the Congo Free State as his personal colony. He exploited the region’s rubber resources through forced labor.

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The Spanish-American War’s Impact on Cuba - gained independence from Spain but fell under U.S. influence. The U.S. occupied Cuba until 1902 through the Platt Amendment.

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The Spanish-American War’s Impact on Puerto Rico - became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War. Unlike Cuba, Puerto Rico remained under U.S. control and did not gain independence.