Critics charged that colonialism was

Critics charged that colonialism was exploitative and oppressive, prioritizing the economic and political interests of colonizing powers over the rights and welfare of indigenous populations. It often involved the systematic extraction of resources, cultural erasure, and the imposition of foreign governance, leading to significant social and economic disruption. Additionally, colonialism perpetuated racial hierarchies and justified violence against colonized peoples, framing them as inferior and in need of control or "civilization." Overall, critics argue that colonialism had devastating and lasting impacts on societies around the world.