What did the word colony mean in 1900?

In 1900, the term "colony" referred to a territory or region that was under the political control of a more powerful nation, often established through conquest or colonization. Colonies were typically exploited for their resources, labor, and strategic advantages, and they often had limited self-governance. The era was marked by imperial expansion, particularly by European powers, as they sought to expand their empires across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The concept of a colony was closely tied to ideas of racial superiority and economic dominance.